The largest ever national study into Muslim experiences on public transport has found that Muslim women in Britain face alarming levels of abuse, fear and discrimination while travelling, making them five times more likely to feel unsafe than women in the wider UK population.
Conducted by Muslim Census in partnership with Muslims in Rail, the study surveyed 1,155 Muslims across the UK between 9–20 November 2025. The sample is nationally representative by gender, ethnicity, age and region and carries a 95 per cent confidence level with a ±3 per cent margin of error.
The findings reveal a systemic safety crisis affecting Muslim commuters, particularly women, across Britain’s trains, buses, trams and London Underground services.
Key findings
- Almost half of Muslim women (45.3 per cent) feel unsafe on public transport, compared to just 8 per cent of women nationwide.
- 34.3 per cent of Muslim women have directly experienced Islamophobic or racist abuse while travelling.
- 69.4 per cent of Muslim women have changed their travel behaviour due to safety fears, including altering routes, avoiding certain times, using taxis at personal expense or modifying their clothing.
- Only 12.5 per cent of incidents are reported, with 69 per cent of those who reported feeling unconfident that their case would be taken seriously.
- During far-right demonstrations or politically charged events, 96.3 per cent of Muslim women feel less safe, and 90.7 per cent change their travel plans.
These findings find that for many Muslim women, public transport is no longer simply a service – it has become a site of vulnerability, fear and repeated harm.
Alarming levels of abuse
Respondents shared deeply distressing accounts, including experiences of:
- Verbal harassment and threats
- Physical assaults and hijab-pulling
- Being spat at, followed, or targeted by groups
- Being subjected to racist taunts and “terrorist” stereotypes
- Filming without consent in public spaces
In one case, a respondent described being urinated on while on a train, with her report later dismissed due to alleged CCTV failure. Another recounted being surrounded by drunk football fans making bomb noises and threatening her and her friend until another passenger intervened.
These incidents are not isolated. Across regions, transport types and age groups, Muslim women reported eerily consistent patterns of targeting linked to their visible Muslim identity. Nearly two-thirds believe they are targeted because they wear the hijab or other visible markers of faith.
A national problem in a worsening climate
The study’s findings sit within a wider context of rising anti-Muslim hatred across the UK. According to data referenced in the report, Muslims account for 44 per cent of religious hate crime victims despite making up less than seven per cent of the population.
Spikes in Islamophobic incidents following the Southport murders and far-right riots in July 2024 have further heightened fear, with many Muslim women reporting significantly increased anxiety when using public transport during times of political or social tension.
Loss of trust in institutions
An overwhelming 83.1 per cent of Muslim respondents believe Islamophobic hate crimes are treated less seriously than other hate crimes. This erosion of confidence, combined with low reporting rates, allows abuse to continue largely unchecked.
Statement from Muslims in Rail Leadership Team said: “This research confirms what we have suspected for a number of years – that racist, anti-Muslim and Islamophobic hate crimes are considerably prevalent on our public transport services. Muslim women are particularly vulnerable, and it seems to be getting worse not better. Violence against women and girls – of any faith – is plain wrong and must be rooted out.
“No woman should have to commute in fear simply for who they are or how they look. Urgent action is required from transport authorities, police and policymakers to stop these hate crimes. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to help achieve this and make our transport network safer for everyone.”
Call to Action
Muslim Census and Muslims in Rail are now engaging with key stakeholders in the UK transport sector (including Transport for London, Network Rail and British Transport Police), in addition to local and national policymakers.
The organisations are calling for:
- Stronger safety measures on transport networks.
- Mandatory anti-Islamophobia and bystander intervention training for transport staff.
- Improved reporting mechanisms and victim support.
- Transparent accountability on incidents and outcomes.
- Greater engagement with Muslim communities and frontline workers.
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