Rail station sex crimes stats fall but police say prevention continues

THOUSANDS of railway station crimes are reported every year, and sex offences at stations across the UK have soared to all-time highs.

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Figures obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice found that, since 2022, there has been a drop in reported sex crimes at stations across Kent.

The British Transport Police's (BTP) 2024 annual report shows that there has been a 10% rise in recorded sexual offences against women on railways from the previous year, up from 2,246 to 2,475.

A survey of 2,000 people commissioned by the BTP last year also found that over a third of women had been a victim of sexual harassment or sexual offending on their commute.

Despite this, a large number of women do not report their experiences, as many people feel scared or believe their experience won't be taken seriously.

BTP Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor said: "Tackling sexual offences is our top priority at British Transport Police, and we take every report of sexual harassment or violence extremely seriously.