Given the worrying levels of crime on London’s tube network, what plans are in place to protect both passengers and TfL staff?

The Tube remains a safe, low crime environment with very few people ever experiencing or witnessing crime. The increase in crime on London Underground is primarily due to theft offences. This can be partly explained by the British Transport Police launching their online crime reporting in October 2018, which means that the force is now recording offences which may previously have gone unreported.

There is a 3,000 strong group of officers across the network dedicated to transport policing, keeping customers and staff safe. This is supplemented by an extensive network of CCTV.

Transport for London (TfL) and their police colleagues have good intelligence to suggest that the London public transport networks are currently being targeted by thieves working as part of organised criminal networks. To counter this, the police are using a range of tactics to deter, detect and disrupt their criminal activity including plain clothes and uniformed officer patrols, large scale operations and investigations. TfL has also been supporting this significant police effort by promoting crime prevention advice to customers, and working closely with them to share knowledge and intelligence. A recent week of action on theft between TfL and the police resulted in 48 arrests, with uniformed and plain clothes officers deployed across the network to reassure the public and deter and detect crime.