Protecting women and girls on public transport
According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at “epidemic levels”.1 Figures show:
- Between January-June 2025, 907 sexual offences were reported across Transport for London (TfL) services, an increase from 879 during the same period in 2024. The most common offence is sexual assault involving non-consensual touching.2
- More than one million VAWG-related crimes were recorded in 2022/23 in England and Wales, representing 20 per cent of all police-recorded crime.
- VAWG-related crime has increased by 37 per cent between 2018 and 2023.
- At least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG each year, with the true figure expected to be higher due to underreporting.3
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will tomorrow continue its investigation into hate crime and VAWG on London’s public transport.
This meeting will focus on VAWG on London’s public transport network, its impact on women and girls, and what more can be done to prevent VAWG and encourage reporting.
The guests are:
- Susan Leadbetter, Transport consultant and specialist in Gender Sensitive Design, WSP
- Dr Andrew Newton, Professor of Criminology and Policing, Nottingham Trent University
- Tricia Hayes, Chair, London TravelWatch
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 3 December 2025 from 10am in Committee Rooms 2&3 at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- National Police Chiefs’ Council, Call to action as VAWG epidemic deepens, 23 July 2024
- Transport for London, Transport crime and antisocial behaviour (January - June 2025), August 2025
- National Police Chiefs’ Council, Call to action as VAWG epidemic deepens, 23 July 2024
- Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.