Transport Safety: When Help Can't Reach You in Time
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By Transport Safety Research
A recent survey reveals that 58% of young women feel unsafe on public transport after dark, with women disproportionately affected by fear of violent crime.
The survey highlighted several key concerns:
Isolated carriages and platforms where help cannot reach victims quickly
Inadequate security presence during late evening and early morning hours
Limited escape routes in underground stations and moving trains
Rising reports of harassment and sexual offences, with violence against women on railways up 50% from 2021 to 2023
One respondent shared her experience: 'I was followed onto a late train by a man who had been watching me at the station. When he cornered me in an empty carriage, I had nowhere to run and no way to defend myself. I was lucky other passengers intervened, but what if they hadn't been there?'
This scenario illustrates why pepper spray should be legal in the UK. In confined spaces where escape is impossible and help may be minutes away, citizens deserve the right to protect themselves with non-lethal means.
Countries like Germany have successfully integrated pepper spray into their personal safety framework without seeing increases in misuse. It's time for the UK to follow suit and prioritise citizen safety over outdated legislation.