Transport for LondonTube safety
With more than one billion passenger journeys every year on the Tube, there are now are just 13 crimes for every million passenger journeys.
Find out more about our continued investment in safety and security on the Tube network and see how you can play a part in helping us maintain a safe and secure Underground system.
- What you can do
- Help points
- CCTV
- Passenger alarms
- Waiting rooms
- British Transport Police (BTP)
- Safer travel at night
What you can do
Report any unattended bags, luggage or suspicious activity immediately to a member of staff, a police officer or use the green emergency button on the station Help point. - Keep your belongings with you at all times - this helps us avoid unnecessary security alerts and delays
- Follow the instructions of staff in the event of any emergency - they are trained to keep you safe and secure
- In an emergency, if you are on board a train, use the passenger emergency alarm, move away from any immediate danger, remain calm, open windows for ventilation and await instruction from a member of staff or the emergency services, trained to deal with similar situations
- It is safer to remain on the train unless instructed to leave by staff or emergency services. Emergency lighting is provided on all trains but it may be useful to use your mobile as an additional source of light
- Evacuate the station immediately when asked to do so. Station staff will help you if you have a disability or need assistance
- On the train, only use the passenger alarm in a real emergency (eg if someone collapses on the train). If any part of the train is at the platform, the train will stop. If the train is between stations, the driver will continue to the next station where assistance will be available
- Don't board the train if you feel unwell
- If you feel unwell while you are on the train open the end car windows or operate the slide mechanism above the seats to increase ventilation. Remove outdoor clothing/jackets. Leave the train at the next station and either approach a member of staff at the platform or contact them using the green emergency button on the nearest passenger Help point
- Give up your seat to anyone needing it, especially older or disabled customers and pregnant women
- Carry water with you whenever you can, particularly in hot weather
- Don't leave litter - use the bins where provided or take it home with you
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol anywhere on the Underground
- Don't use flash photography
Help points
Help points allow passengers to get updated service information, activate the fire alarm or summon help in emergency situations. They are located in many ticket hall areas, walkways and platforms, and more will be added as we continue to modernise and refurbish more stations.
They have:
- A red fire alarm
- A green emergency button to report disturbances, any suspicious package or activity, summon help in emergency situations and report station or train vandalism. Pressing the emergency green button will connect you directly to the station control room or directly to the police if station staff are not available within 30 seconds
- A blue information button which you can use to get up to date travel information (even if it's not related to the Tube) and to ask about station facilities
- Most help points have induction loops for customers who use hearing aids
CCTV
Over 13, 000 CCTV cameras are available across London Underground stations, covering ticket hall areas, walkways, platforms and trains with more being fitted as part of our investment and refurbishment programmes.
Passenger alarms
Passenger alarms are located at eye-level in carriages near the double doors.
Some tube lines- the Northern, Jubilee, Piccadilly, Central and Waterloo & City lines - have talk back facilities built into the alarms. This will be available on all trains by 2015 except the Bakerloo line, which is programmed for upgrade by 2020.
Our staff are trained to deal with any situation so relevant assistance will be provided at the station in case of emergency. Regular emergency exercises are held to continually improve our evacuation procedures.
Waiting rooms
Waiting rooms provide a comfortable and safe area in which customers can wait for their train. We're upgrading waiting rooms at selected stations as part of our investment and refurbishment programme
More than 700 BTP officers patrol the London Underground network. We also work with other police bodies, fire and ambulance services to maintain the high standard of safety and security on the Underground. Here are some BTP tips:
British Transport Police presence
Safer Travel at Night
