Reported violence against transport workers may just be ‘tip of the iceberg’

The number of incidents of work-related violence and aggression towards transport workers in London increased to around 200 per week across 2023/24.¹

However, evidence suggests that Transport for London’s (TfL) official figures almost certainly underreport the true scale of assaults on transport workers, as many incidents of work-related violence and aggression towards transport workers go unreported. 

The evidence the London Assembly Transport Committee heard during a meeting in February this year was deeply troubling. Workers described the frequency and severity of abuse they faced while carrying out their duties.

In a letter published today, the Transport Committee is requesting:

• Information on work ongoing or planned to encourage workers to report all incidents of work-related violence and aggression 
• How TfL plans to address the cultural issues across the organisation that may be normalising assaults on transport workers and blames victims when incidents occur 
• Options being considered to improve post incident support and communication for victims of workplace violence
• How taxi and private hire drivers licensed by TfL could opt-in to support from TfL’s Workplace Violence and Aggression Team
• What consideration it has given to how it could implement stronger consequences (e.g. withdrawal of implied service) for those who verbally or physically assault staff

The Committee has also written to the Home Secretary supporting TfL and wider transport sector calls for a new specific offence of assaults on transport workers.

Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Elly Baker AM, said:

“Shockingly, the 10,500 reported incidents of assaults on transport workers in 2023/24 may just be the tip of the iceberg. Even more deeply concerning - the Transport Committee heard evidence of a culture which normalises assaults on transport workers and blames victims when incidents occur.  

“The brave workers who told us their personal stories often had not reported an assault to their employer, most commonly because such incidents were seen as just “part of the job” followed by a belief that the complaint would not be taken seriously.

“We also heard that there is a particular lack of support for TfL contract workers, such as bus drivers, and taxi and private hire drivers, who face unique challenges because they are self-employed.

“It’s imperative that TfL does not just pay lip service to this problem. The organisational culture within TfL must change, and communication and consistency of post incident support across transport modes is now necessary. 

“In addition, we are supporting calls for a new specific offence of assaults on transport workers and have written to the Home Secretary to stress the importance of that law change.

“Addressing these issues is a vital next step in providing a safe and supportive workplace for London’s transport workers.”