National study finds Muslim women five times more likely to be insecure on UK transport

The largest ever survey of the experience of Muslims on public transport in the UK reveals an alarming finding: Muslim women experience levels of abuse, fear and discrimination unlike the rest of the female population. Conducted by Muslim Census in partnership with Muslims in Rail, the study surveyed 1,155 Muslims between 9 and 20 November 2025. It reveals that almost one in two Muslim women (45.3%) feel unsafe in transport, compared to only 8% of women nationally.

The figures are just as worrying regarding attacks: more than a third (34.3%) have already been confronted with Islamophobic or racist insults, while almost 70% now change their routes, their schedule or even their outfit for fear of being targeted. The majority of incidents remain unreported, and seven out of ten women doubt whether their complaints will be taken seriously.

The report brings together shocking testimonies: verbal harassment, threats, physical attacks, torn hijabs, spitting, stalking, group humiliation… Some were surrounded by drunken supporters imitating the sounds of explosions, others filmed without their consent. In one extreme case, a passenger claims to have been urinated on on a train, a complaint later closed for lack of video “evidence”.

This reality, far from being marginal, is part of a national climate marked by the rise of Islamophobic acts. Muslims represent 44% of victims of religious crimes, although they constitute only 7% of the population. Violence increased again after the far-right riots in the summer of 2024. For Muslims in Rail, these results confirm a known but now quantified situation: “Racist and Islamophobic crimes are widespread in our transport. Muslim women are particularly vulnerable. This must stop. »

The study’s authors are now calling on authorities – including Transport for London, Network Rail and the British Transport Police – to act urgently:
• strengthening of security systems,
• mandatory training of staff in anti-Muslim discrimination and witness intervention,
• more effective reporting mechanisms,
• transparency on the follow-up of complaints,
• reinforced dialogue with the communities concerned.

A clear message: no woman should be afraid to travel within her own country because of her faith or her appearance.