Police Data Exposes Britain's Most Dangerous Railway Stations
British Transport Police has released comprehensive crime figures revealing the railway stations most affected by criminal activity across the United Kingdom. The data highlights locations experiencing the highest numbers of sexual assaults, violent attacks, robberies, and drug-related offences, with one station recording over 1,000 incidents in a single year.
London Stations Dominate Crime Statistics
Major London transport hubs feature prominently in the rankings, occupying the top four positions for criminal activity. Beyond the capital, significant stations in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool also recorded concerning crime levels according to the police statistics covering the 2024-25 period.
Euston station emerged as the worst location for crime, with authorities logging more than 1,500 offences. This included the highest recorded numbers of violent crimes (227 incidents), drug-related offences (247), sexual offences (29), and theft of passenger property (650 cases).
Specific Crime Patterns Across Stations
The detailed breakdown reveals distinct crime patterns at different locations:
- London Bridge station recorded the highest figures for weapons crimes (33 incidents) and robbery (37 cases)
- Reading experienced the most bicycle thefts with 65 reported incidents
- Brighton registered the highest number of graffiti incidents at 24 occurrences
- For public order offences, London Bridge leads with 141 incidents, followed by Birmingham New Street (122), London Euston (118), and Leeds (117)
Beyond London, stations with significant crime levels included Leeds (574 offences), Brighton (379), Liverpool Lime Street (356), Glasgow Central (327), Reading (324), and Wolverhampton (302).
Industry Response and Safety Concerns
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey responded strongly to the statistics, stating: "These shocking stats underline the need for an increased presence of British Transport Police on our railways. Our members are being punched, threatened, spat at and abused simply for turning up to work and keeping the railway running."
Dempsey emphasized the physical and psychological toll on staff and called for proper funding for British Transport Police, consistent visible presence throughout the year, legislation to deter assaults on transport workers, and an end to unsafe lone working practices.
A Network Rail spokesperson offered reassurance, noting: "Millions of people pass through our stations every day, and the chances of becoming a victim of crime within one of them are incredibly low. Our stations are staffed throughout the day by dedicated teams on site, supported by regular patrols by the British Transport Police and extensive CCTV coverage."
Police Commitment to Railway Safety
British Transport Police reiterated their commitment to passenger safety, with a spokesperson stating: "Every rail passenger has the right to a safe journey, and we are committed to protecting this right. We are continually working to raise public awareness of when and how to report crime."
The police highlighted their intelligence-led approach, using reports from the public alongside other sources to inform patrols and operations, ensuring officers are positioned effectively to deter crime and respond quickly to incidents.
Top Ten Stations by Crime Figures
The British Transport Police data revealed the ten stations with the highest crime figures during the reporting period:
- Euston (1,536 offences)
- Kings Cross (1,479 offences)
- London Bridge (1,074 offences)
- St Pancras International (1,035 offences)
- Birmingham New Street (958 offences)
- Paddington (852 offences)
- Manchester Piccadilly (827 offences)
- Waterloo (778 offences)
- Kings Cross St Pancras Underground (736 offences)
- Finsbury Park (626 offences)
The release of these statistics follows recent court proceedings involving railway crime, including the case of a robber who targeted a teenage girl at Manchester Piccadilly station. The 25-year-old perpetrator received a 10-month prison sentence after attempting to steal the 15-year-old's handbag in an assault witnessed by shocked commuters during evening rush hour.
British Transport Police investigators praised bystanders who intervened and emphasized their commitment to making the railway network "a hostile environment for offenders" through both uniformed and plain clothes patrols operating day and night.
