Written questions by Hodgson.

Whether her plans to improve the safety of the rail network for women and girls will include changes to existing roles and responsibilities on (a) safety and (b) tackling (i) crime and (ii) anti-social behaviour.

Ensuring the safety of passengers on the rail network is a priority for the department. We work closely with BTP, the rail industry, and Home Office police forces for cross government strategies to tackle violence against women and girls, and we have ambitions in this space to reduce offences on the transport network.There are currently no plans to change existing roles and responsibilities regarding safety and tackling crime and anti-social behavior. The British Transport Police will continue to police the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales.

What information her Department holds on the number of (a) arrests and (b) prosecutions in relation to cases of violence against women and girls on trains in the last five years.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales. The force has provided the following information on arrests and prosecutions against female victims for Violence, Sex and Public Order (Serious) offences in the previous 5 calendar years. ArrestsYear*20202021202220232024Number of victims819930115611321222 ProsecutionsYear*20202021202220232024Number of victims956103112071197856*To note 1) passenger numbers were reduced in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in reduced numbers of crimes and arrests; 2) Arrest and any subsequent prosecution may not occur in the same calendar year.

What discussions she has had with the (a) British Transport Police and (b) National Police Chiefs Council on levels of violence against women and girls on trains.

The department and ministers are in regular contact with the British Transport Police (BTP), who are a member of the National Police Chiefs Council, regarding their commitment to tackling VAWG offences on the rail network. The Force are a key partner in supporting the Government’s mission to take back our streets which includes a commitment to halve VAWG offences in the next decade.

If she will publish a passenger focused plan on train travel post rail-reform which includes recommendations on ensuring the safety of women and girls on trains.

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a priority for the Government. We have set ourselves the ambitious target to halve VAWG offences in the next decade using every lever available to us. My Department and the rail industry, including the British Transport Police are committed to ensuring the safety of women and girls on trains. As we deliver rail reform, we will ensure that plans are in place to build on the good work being done by the rail industry to improve the safety of the rail network for all who use it.