Transport for London (TfL) has introduced virtual reality demonstrations at eight Underground and Overground stations this week to help tackle hate crime on its network. The sessions place passengers in a bystander's role, showing them how to respond safely to such incidents.
Stations and timing of VR sessions
The demonstrations are being held at Stratford, Liverpool Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Victoria, Euston, Golders Green, Stamford Hill and Finsbury Park. Two sessions, at Stratford and Liverpool Street, have already taken place, with the remaining events scheduled through October 16.
The sessions coincide with National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from October 10 to October 17. Timings for the remaining sessions are as follows: Harrow-on-the-Hill on Tuesday, October 13 from 12pm to 3pm; Victoria on Wednesday, October 14 from 10am to 12pm; Euston on the same day from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; Golders Green on Thursday, October 15 from 12pm to 3pm; Stamford Hill on Friday, October 16 from 10am to 12pm; and Finsbury Park on the same day from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Rise in reported hate crime
The initiative follows a 36% increase in hate crime reported on London's transport network over the past year. Between January and August 2026, 2,396 hate crimes were reported on the network. TfL attributed the rise to several factors, including improved reporting of offences and international events.
In addition to the station events, six free active bystander training sessions will be available online, led by the charity Protection Approaches. These can be booked via Eventbrite.
Official responses
Siwan Hayward, TfL's director of security policing and enforcement, said: 'We want to reassure all Londoners that we take everybody's safety and security seriously. We will not stand for hate crime of any form on our network, whether it's against our customers or staff.' She added: 'The station awareness events and free active bystander online training sessions are valuable opportunities for providing practical advice to our customers, so that even more customers feel confident and comfortable to intervene in the event of a hate crime.'
Kaya Comer-Schwartz, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: 'Everyone should feel safe and be safe when travelling in London. Hate crime and harassment have no place on our transport network, or anywhere in our city, and we are determined to tackle and prevent these awful crimes.'
