Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to encourage bus and train operators to reduce levels of disability hate crime on their services.

The government believes that everyone should be able to make journeys on public transport services without fearing that they will become a victim of crime. It is especially concerning that people should experience disability hate crime whilst using buses and trains, and operators must do all they can to challenge such unacceptable behaviour in partnership with relevant authorities.

We introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill which focuses on delivering safe, more reliable bus networks. The Bill sets requirements for mandatory training on how to recognise and respond appropriately to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour, on buses for staff, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public or with issues related to the travelling public. This Bill will also extend requirements for relevant bus staff to undertake training relating to disabled passengers.

Provisions in the Bus Services (No 2) Bill would also give all local transport authorities the power to make bus byelaws, which can be enforced by local authority officers on vehicles and at bus stations and stops. This, combined with targeted enforcement, should lead to safer networks. Transport Safety Officers or Transport Safety and Enforcement Officers are also already operating in some areas, including those participating in the Department’s Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour on Transport pilots.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales. They take any reports of crime seriously, including disability hate crimes. The BTP works closely with the rail industry, including train operators, to target offenders across the network and ensure it remains a safe environment for passengers and rail staff. The BTP encourage crime to be reported via it is 61016 text number or in an emergency to call 999.