Jeremy Corbyn backs women-only train carriages

Harassment campaign: Jeremy Corbyn pictured yesterday at a rally in Southampton
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Ramzy Alwakeel26 August 2015

Labour leadership frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn would push for women-only train carriages to be introduced at night to curb sex attacks, he has said.

The Islington North MP, currently the bookies' favourite for the party’s top job, made the comments while launching his campaign against street harassment.

“Some women have raised with me that a solution to the rise in assault and harassment on public transport could be to introduce women-only carriages,” he said.

"My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform, to the bus stop, on the mode of transport itself.

"However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome – and also if piloting this at times and on modes of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be of interest."

British Transport Police recorded 1,399 sexual offences in 2014-15 on Britain’s trains and platforms, an increase of nearly 300 on the previous year and a new record.

The force said the hike could be attributed mainly to an increase in reporting, thanks to its own Project Guardian scheme. Earlier this year Transport for London launched the “Report It to Stop It” campaign encouraging more reporting of sex assaults on the Tube.

Mr Corbyn added: "The excellent work of individuals, campaigns, and groups like Everyday Sexism and Stop Street Harassment has highlighted just how prevalent street harassment is in our country today, and the extent to which many women feel uncomfortable, anxious, and unsafe just going about their daily routines.

"It is simply unacceptable that many women and girls adapt their daily lives in order to avoid being harassed on the street, public transport and in other public places from the park to the supermarket.

"This could include taking longer routes to work, having self-imposed curfews, or avoiding certain means of transport."

Additional reporting by Press Association

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