TfL offers free training after hate crime rise
Transport for London is providing online sessions and station stands to combat offences on its network.
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Transport for London (TfL) is providing free online training to help passengers respond to hate crime incidents on the capital's transport network. The initiative comes after recorded offences rose by 36 per cent between January and August 2026 compared to the same period last year. TfL recorded 2,396 hate crime offences across its network during this period.
Active Bystander Training
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TfL is partnering with the charity Protection Approaches to deliver six free online 'active bystander' training sessions throughout autumn and winter. These sessions are designed to provide practical advice, enabling passengers to feel more confident and comfortable intervening safely if they witness a hate crime. The training aims to teach individuals how to support someone targeted by hate crime and how to safely challenge hateful narratives.
Siwan Hayward, director of security policing and enforcement at TfL, stated that the organisation takes everyone's safety and security seriously and will not tolerate hate crime. She highlighted the value of station awareness events and online training in providing practical advice to customers. Kaya Comer-Schwartz, deputy mayor for policing and crime, added that City Hall has invested £17 million to tackle hate crime and is determined to prevent these offences on the transport network and across the city.
Public Engagement and Awareness
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As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from October 10 to 17, TfL will host awareness stands at several stations. These include Euston, Finsbury Park, and Stratford. The stands will feature virtual reality demonstrations to illustrate the perspective of a bystander during an incident and offer guidance on safe intervention methods. TfL is also running a campaign encouraging customers to 'Act Like a Friend' to establish this as a recognised social code for public transport users.
TfL is collaborating with community groups to address concerns and develop evidence-based interventions. Patrols have been increased at transport hubs near locations where incidents have been reported. The network is monitored by over 2,000 police and community support officers, alongside 500 TfL enforcement officers. CCTV is operational across stations, trains, and buses, and all staff are equipped with body-worn video cameras.
What Happens Next
The free online 'active bystander' training sessions will continue throughout autumn and winter. Awareness stands will be available at selected stations during National Hate Crime Awareness Week, from October 10 to 17. TfL aims to make bystander intervention a recognised social norm on its network.
Questions this report answers
+How many hate crime offences were recorded on TfL services?
Transport for London recorded 2,396 hate crime offences across its network between January and August 2026. This figure represents a 36 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
+What free training is TfL offering?
TfL is offering six free online 'active bystander' training sessions in partnership with the charity Protection Approaches. These sessions aim to teach passengers how to safely intervene and support victims of hate crime.
+Where will TfL host awareness stands?
TfL will host awareness stands at stations including Euston, Finsbury Park, and Stratford. These stands will provide practical guidance and virtual reality demonstrations during National Hate Crime Awareness Week, from October 10 to 17.
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