Nearly 18,000 Crimes Recorded at UK Stations

New figures released by British Transport Police have revealed the railway stations across the UK with the highest levels of reported crime, including assaults, theft, public order offences and drug-related incidents.

According to the data, almost 18,000 offences were recorded at the 30 worst-affected stations over the past 12 months — an average of around 50 incidents every day. Several individual stations saw more than 1,000 crimes in a single year.

While London’s major terminals dominate the rankings, high-crime stations were also identified in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool, highlighting that the issue extends well beyond the capital.

The figures have prompted renewed concern from rail unions. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey described the statistics as “shocking,” warning that frontline rail staff are increasingly exposed to violence and abuse.

“Our members are being punched, threatened, spat at and abused simply for turning up to work and keeping the railway running,” he said. “This takes a serious physical and psychological toll and creates an environment where both staff and passengers feel unsafe.”

Mr Dempsey called for a stronger and more consistent police presence across the rail network, arguing that security measures should not be limited to major incidents. He also urged the government to introduce a long-term funding plan for British Transport Police, create a standalone offence for assaults on public transport workers, and end unsafe lone-working practices by guaranteeing minimum staffing levels.

A spokesperson for Network Rail sought to reassure passengers, stating that crime levels remain low relative to the number of people using stations each day.

“Millions of people pass through our stations every day, and the chances of becoming a victim of crime are incredibly low,” the spokesperson said. “Stations are staffed throughout the day, supported by regular BTP patrols and extensive CCTV coverage.”

British Transport Police also defended its approach, stressing its commitment to passenger safety and proactive policing.

“Every rail passenger has the right to a safe journey,” a BTP spokesperson said. “We use crime reports — including our 61016 text-to-report service — alongside intelligence to ensure officers are deployed in the right locations at the right times.”

They added that both uniformed and plain-clothes officers operate across the network around the clock to deter offenders and respond swiftly to incidents.

The full list of the 10 stations with the highest number of reported crimes — ranging from theft and disorder to violent attacks — is detailed below.