Safety on Public Transport: A Safeguarding Responsibility We All Share
This week, the Court of Appeal increased the prison sentence of a man responsible for a series of violent robberies and attacks on the London Underground. The offender's sentence was increased from 2 years and 8 months to 3 years and 9 months following a referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Whilst this case focuses on sentencing, it also provides an important opportunity to reflect on something much bigger.
How safe do people really feel when travelling?
For many of us, public transport is part of everyday life. We commute to work, travel to appointments, attend training, visit family and enjoy social time with friends without giving it a second thought but for others, stepping onto a train, tube or bus can feel very different.
It can feel intimidating, it can feel unsafe and for some people, those fears are based on lived experience.
Safeguarding doesn't stop at the workplace door
We often think about safeguarding within schools, hospitals, charities, workplaces or care settings but safeguarding extends far beyond the walls of our organisations. It is about recognising where people may be vulnerable and considering how we can reduce risk wherever possible. Public transport is one of those environments. People may be travelling alone, late at night, unfamiliar with their surroundings or carrying expensive belongings. Others may already be vulnerable because of their age, disability, mental health, previous trauma or personal circumstances.
These factors can increase the likelihood of someone becoming a target for crime or abuse.
Violence has a ripple effect
Incidents such as robbery and assault affect far more than the immediate victim and the emotional impact can last long after physical injuries have healed.
People may lose confidence travelling independently, they may change jobs, avoid certain locations or experience anxiety every time they board public transport.
For employers, this matters too.
How many of your staff travel alone?
How many finish work after dark?
How many visit clients, attend meetings or travel between sites as part of their role?
Supporting staff safety should be viewed as part of a wider safeguarding and wellbeing strategy.
What can organisations do?
Whilst organisations cannot eliminate every risk, they can help people feel more confident and better prepared.
Consider:
Reviewing lone working arrangements
Carrying out travel risk assessments where appropriate
Encouraging staff to report incidents or near misses
Ensuring managers know how to support employees following traumatic incidents
Providing clear wellbeing support after violence or abuse
Promoting a culture where people feel comfortable discussing personal safety concerns
These conversations are just as important as having the right policies in place.
We all have a role to play
Safeguarding is not solely the responsibility of safeguarding leads or security teams. Every one of us can contribute to creating safer environments.
Sometimes that means remaining aware of what is happening around us.
Sometimes it means reporting suspicious behaviour.
Sometimes it means checking in on someone who appears distressed or vulnerable.
And sometimes it simply means being willing to act when something doesn't feel right.
Professional curiosity doesn't only belong in safeguarding investigations. It has a place in our everyday lives too.
Supporting victims with compassion
For anyone who experiences violence or robbery, recovery is about far more than replacing stolen belongings. Victims may experience fear, anxiety, hypervigilance or a lasting loss of confidence. Trauma-informed support can make an enormous difference. Whether you are an employer, safeguarding lead, manager or colleague, your response matters. Listening without judgement, believing someone's experience and helping them access appropriate support are all important parts of safeguarding.
Looking beyond the headlines
This latest case reminds us that the justice system plays an important role in holding offenders accountable.
But safeguarding asks us to think beyond prosecution.
It asks us how we prevent harm
How we identify risk
How we support those affected
And how we create environments where people feel safe enough to live, work and travel with confidence.
Because safeguarding isn't confined to one building, one profession or one policy. It follows people wherever they go and that means it is all of our responsibility.
Read the Press Release here