Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive, Keolis UK, Middle East, and India | 25 March 2025 Railway Gazette
UK: Statistics from the British Transport Police reveal a troubling rise in crime on trains across the UK. Between 2021 and 2023, violent incidents against women and girls on Britain’s railways grew by more than 50%, increasing from 7,561 to 11,357 reported cases. Similarly, sexual offences rose by 10% during the same period, reaching 2,475 cases in 2023.
This uptick is not limited to trains. It is an issue for Light rail networks too, and it is something every transit system needs to address head-on. This increase is part of a broader trend of rising crime levels across the UK. The latest Crime Survey for England & Wales estimated a million incidents of ‘headline crime’ in the year ending September 2024, which is a 12% increase compared with the previous year.
Nottingham Express Transit is showcasing what can be done to counteract these worrying trends. Operated by Keolis UK, the Nottingham light rail network saw a fall in antisocial behaviour incidents of one-third in 2022-23. Over this period, total reported incidents of antisocial and criminal behaviour dropped from 493 cases to 298, a fall of 40%.
Antisocial behaviour incidents specifically saw a 35-3% reduction, declining from 365 to 236 cases. The most notable improvements included a decrease in physical assaults on staff, down from 34 to 11, while physical assaults on the public were reduced by 42•9%, from 21 to 12 incidents. Verbal assaults on staff experienced the most dramatic drop, coming down by 904%, from 43 cases to just four. Tram surfing saw a reduction, falling from 13 incidents to just three.
These figures demonstrate the tangible impact of NET’s approach, creating a safer environment for both passengers and staff while reinforcing the effectiveness of a multi-faceted strategy that combines enforcement, education and community engagement.
Collaboration is paramount
The case study in Nottingham serves to highlight the power of collaboration with local institutions.
NET’s Zero Tolerance campaign was launched in early 2022, and saw the light rail operator’s customer experience agents working together with Nottinghamshire Police. NET has increased the presence of both uniformed and plain-clothed officers across the network, and this visible presence reinforces the message that fare evasion is theft and helps to prevent minor infractions from escalating into more serious behaviour.
Passengers and staff deserve to feel safe when they travel by working hand-in-hand with the police and deploying targeted enforcement, the Zero Tolerance campaign has shown that disruptive behaviour can be tackled before it escalates.
Operators also need to have clear policies and tools in place, like CCTV deployment and easy payment methods. This helps build a culture of responsibility among users and the local community.
NET’s high-definition CCTV network allows quick identification of offenders. A clear ‘buy before you board’ policy is in place, backed by contactless EMV and app payment options, which ensures passengers know the payment rules before stepping onto the tram.
One of NET’s standout strategies is its proactive approach to school-based fare evasion. By working directly with local school leadership teams, NET can highlight the issue of fare evasion among students and encourage schools to speak with pupils. This type of early intervention can stop problems before they start and foster long-term responsible behaviour in young passengers.
You versus Tram
While enforcement plays a key role in tackling anti-social behaviour, long-term change comes from education and community collaboration. By working closely with schools and local organisations, NET is addressing the root causes of issues like fare evasion, vandalism and disorderly behaviour.
A clear example of this approach is the You vs Tram initiative, in which NET staff deliver engaging, hard hitting sessions in schools across Nottingham. The programme raises awareness about tram safety and the importance of mutual respect between students, tram staff and fellow passengers.
A key partner in this initiative is The Pythian Club, an organisation that works with young people to promote positive behaviour and community engagement. By teaming up with NET, the youth organisation is able to deliver powerful joint presentations that drive home the dangers of risky actions around trams, reinforcing the message that safety is a shared responsibility.
Expanding outreach
This is one element of a multifacted outreach approach that covers a range of grassroots organisations across Nottingham.
NET has launched partnerships with the Steven Gerrard Football Academy, Nottingham-based youth charity BASE 51 and the Christmas Appeal Cup, a football tournament raising funds for children in local hosoitals. These initiatives have enabled the ooerator to reach at-risk vouth. auidina them towards positive activities and away from anti-social behaviour.
The positive trend in combatting antisocial behaviour on the citys Light rail network is notable because it is arguably an outlier among UK public transport provision. While NET achieved a near 40% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour in 2022-23, crimes on trains departing Nottingham station rose from 120 to 161 incidents in the same period.
Beyond Nottingham
Keolis’ efforts to combat anti-social behaviour extend well beyond Nottingham, with successful initiatives implemented across its global operations. In Besanqon, operator Ginko has launched a public awareness campaign focused on improving safety and encouraging responsible behaviour around trams.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, Keolis has taken an educational approach, partnering with schools to teach young passengers how to handle and respond to antisocial behaviour on public transport, instilling a sense of shared responsibility from an early age.
Back in the UK, Keo[is Amey Metrolink has introduced a Youth Zone’ initiative in Manchester, deploying outreach workers from a youth organisation to engage directly with young people on the tram network. By offering positive role models and connecting youths to constructive local activities, this programme actively reduces antisocial incidents while fostering a more respectful transport culture. These initiatives highlight Keolis’ commitment to ensuring safer, more welcoming public transport networks through a proactive and community-led approach.
Ultimately NET is showing that combating anti-social behaviour goes beyond just enforcement — it is about creating a culture of respect and responsibility. Through dynamic school programmes, community outreach and excellent customer service, operators can shape a safer, more positive transport experience on light rail and beyond.