Mayor Sadiq Khan, police and transport authorities among those behind effort to encourage more reporting
Police and Transport for London (TfL) have launched a hard-hitting campaign to encourage people to report unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport.
The campaign forms part of a programme of policing activity to eradicate unwanted sexual behaviour on London’s transport network.
It aims to make the point that every report matters, is taken extremely seriously and provides valuable information to help catch offenders.
The film also warns potential offenders that they could be caught at any time.
“Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority and I want all women and girls to feel confident travelling on our transport network,” said Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London.
“This vital campaign highlights how any form of unwanted sexual behaviour is unacceptable, and victims must be given the right support when they report offences. By working together with partners, we can raise awareness of these crimes, give women and girls the encouragement they need to come forward, and bring perpetrators to justice.
“I urge Londoners to speak up and report unwanted sexual behaviour to the police immediately, if it happens to them.”
This year’s campaign builds on the 2015 ‘Report it to Stop it’ film, which was viewed more than 13 million times on YouTube alone.
TfL says the film helped encourage women to come forward and report unwanted sexual behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable, with a 36 per cent increase in arrests since its launch.
“We are determined to eradicate unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network. It is never ok,” said Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Head of Transport Policing.
“We care about our passengers and the journeys that they make. Our new ‘Report it to Stop it’ film builds on our previous campaign’s success and encourages victims to come forward and report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. No matter how insignificant they feel it may be, every report is taken extremely seriously by police and investigated so the offender can be caught and brought to justice.”
To report unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport, text 61016 or call police on 101 and give details of what, where and when.