Racial and religious hate crime on public transport across the UK is increasing, according to new data, with community groups warning that fear of abuse is causing some people to limit when and how they travel.
Figures obtained through freedom of information requests show police forces have recorded a rise in hate crime over the past year. There has been a notable increase in racially motivated offences in Scotland, alongside a rise in religious hate crime targeting Muslims in England and Wales.
Campaigners say public transport presents a particular risk, as perpetrators may be emboldened by alcohol, isolate their targets in confined spaces such as train carriages or buses, and then leave quickly at the next stop.
Data from British Transport Police shows that recorded racial hate crime across England, Wales and Scotland rose from 2,827 incidents in 2019–20 to 3,258 in 2024–25. Religious hate crime followed a similar upward trend, increasing from 343 cases in 2019–20 to 419 in 2023–24, before dipping slightly to 372 the following year.
Courtney, who was travelling by train from Glasgow city centre in August, described being subjected to racist abuse by an elderly woman who sat opposite her. “Out of nowhere, she began making racist remarks, which got progressively louder after she put on a face mask,” Courtney said. She explained that she initially stayed quiet because she was shocked by the hostility.
Like many people in their twenties, Courtney records parts of her day for social media. She said she decided to start filming only after the woman sprayed Dettol disinfectant in her direction, adding that she felt the need to document what was happening for her own safety.
The abuse continued, with the woman telling her, “Go back to your own country.” Other passengers eventually intervened to support Courtney. Reflecting on the incident, she said the most helpful response was simply showing solidarity, explaining that standing next to someone or checking in can make a significant difference. She added that people now seem more emboldened, particularly when they believe no one will challenge them.
Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, said the data reflects what her organisation hears nationwide and urged local authorities, transport operators and community safety partners “to take urgent and meaningful action”.
“For visible Muslims in particular, the top deck of a bus or a half-empty train carriage can mean threatening behaviour, verbal abuse or even violent attack simply because of their faith,” she said.
Ahmed added that incidents on public transport are among the most distressing cases handled by the trust, with many Muslims feeling compelled to scrutinise their behaviour for fear it may be misinterpreted or used against them. She described it as “most alarming” that some attacks have targeted children travelling to and from school, noting that limited CCTV coverage on buses and at stops often allows perpetrators to evade accountability.
Carol Young, deputy director of the Scottish anti-racism charity Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, said reported figures are likely to represent only a fraction of the true scale of the problem. She said anecdotal evidence suggests some people avoid public transport altogether or restrict their journeys to certain times of day because they do not feel safe.
Dave Rich, head of policy at the Community Security Trust, said it was significant that the recent rise in hate crime on public transport aligns with an increase in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October. He warned the issue shows no sign of easing and stressed the importance of police, prosecutors and transport operators working together to identify and prosecute offenders.
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said abuse, intimidation and violence motivated by hate would never be tolerated. “We have acted swiftly and decisively when we receive reports of hate crimes on the rail network,” they said, urging victims and witnesses not to suffer in silence and to report incidents so action can be taken.
