On a summer evening in June 2024, a young woman boarded a train, expecting nothing more than a routine journey between Cardiff and Swansea. Instead, what unfolded became a chilling example of a disturbing trend across the UK’s railways—a trend that’s left passengers, especially women and children, increasingly wary of their safety on public transport.
That night, Nicholas McMurray, a 38-year-old train manager with Great Western Railway (GWR), approached the 18-year-old passenger under the pretense of checking her ticket. According to details revealed in Swansea Crown Court and reported by BBC, McMurray adjusted her dress and went on to sexually assault her, taking advantage of her isolation on the train. The victim, demonstrating remarkable presence of mind and courage, immediately reported the incident to British Transport Police (BTP) upon arrival at Swansea station. Officers arrested McMurray on the platform—body-worn camera footage of the arrest, released in October 2025 as part of a BBC investigation, would later bring the reality of such crimes into the public eye.
During the arrest, police officers placed clear bags over McMurray’s hands to preserve forensic evidence. In subsequent interviews, McMurray falsely claimed that the victim had kissed him first and that his actions were consensual—a claim that the court found to be entirely untrue. Judge Huw Rees, delivering the sentence on October 15, 2025, was unequivocal in his condemnation: “You took advantage of an alone and vulnerable young woman to satisfy your sexual hunger.” McMurray was convicted of sexual assault and assault by penetration, sentenced to seven years in prison, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
GWR acted swiftly, removing McMurray from duty as soon as the incident came to light. A spokesperson for the company told reporters, “As soon as we became aware of the incident, we took immediate action to remove the individual from duty. He no longer works for the business. This sentencing was only possible because of the victim’s immense courage in coming forward. Our thoughts remain firmly with her and her family.” McMurray resigned during the disciplinary proceedings, where dismissal was the likely outcome.
Detective Constable Farrell of BTP, reflecting on the case, said, “McMurray completely abused his position and took advantage of this young woman. I would like to thank the victim for her courage and bravery throughout the police investigation. McMurray will now have to spend a considerable amount of time to reflect on the actions he took that day.”
This single case, while harrowing, is not an isolated incident. A BBC investigation revealed that reports of sexual offences on trains have risen by more than a third since 2015. In 2024 alone, there were 2,661 incidents reported across England, Scotland, and Wales, with one in ten involving children—some younger than 13. Even more alarming, the number of reports involving under-18s has trebled over the past decade, from 146 in 2015 to 443 in 2025, totaling more than 2,900 reports in ten years.
For many, these statistics are more than just numbers. Rhiannon Williams, an 18-year-old from Llanelli, recounted her own experience of being sexually harassed by a group of drunken men while traveling home from a seaside outing in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. “You can’t go anywhere, you can’t escape. I had to sit there and put up with it,” she told the BBC, describing the sense of being trapped and powerless. “It was uncomfortable and scary... It definitely made me feel trapped.”
Other passengers, like Maddie Waktare, have also shared their stories. Maddie was sexually assaulted on a busy train from London Waterloo. She described how the perpetrator’s body encroached on her space, making her deeply uncomfortable, before he ran his hand up her thigh. “I stood up forcefully and glared at him. I was in shock and disbelief. I couldn’t believe this had happened to me,” Maddie said. She admitted to feeling angry for not reacting sooner and highlighted the normalization of such behavior in society. “The problem is you don’t know what these people are capable of, it starts with something like this and then their crimes can get worse. I should have reported it.”
Despite the rise in reports, police believe that sexual assault and harassment on trains and at stations remains underreported. Many victims, like Maddie, do not come forward, whether out of shock, fear, or a belief that nothing will be done. Of the 22,100 reports of sexual offences on trains in the past decade, detectives were unable to identify a suspect in half of the cases.
Law enforcement and train operators are responding to these troubling trends. The UK government has pledged £17 million to improve BTP’s access to station CCTV, aiming to help “ensure offenders are identified and brought to justice more quickly.” BTP’s Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor explained that part of the rise in reported incidents may be due to increased intelligence-led operations, including plainclothes officers trained to identify offenders. These officers patrol stations, looking for individuals exhibiting suspicious behavior—especially those positioning themselves near lone or vulnerable passengers.
“No woman or girl should be made to feel uncomfortable during their rail journey,” Det Ch Insp Mellor told the BBC. “Unacceptable behaviour on the network has serious consequences and will not be tolerated. We are relentless in our pursuit to hold these offenders to account and ensure the railway network is a safe place to be for everyone.”
The Rail Delivery Group, representing the UK’s train operators, echoed this stance. Chief executive Jacqueline Starr stated, “There’s zero tolerance in terms of sexual harassment on our network. Every allegation will be taken seriously.”
Still, some experts and campaigners caution that the rise in reports may not mean that more offences are occurring, but rather that more victims feel empowered to speak out. A government spokesperson explained, “A rise in reports does not necessarily mean more incidents are occurring. It may reflect that more victims now feel able to come forward because of increased awareness and messaging across the network.”
For those affected, the message from authorities is clear: report every incident. Passengers and witnesses are encouraged to text the BTP at 61016 with details of the incident, location, and time. The hope is that with continued vigilance, improved technology, and a culture of zero tolerance, the UK’s railways can become safer for everyone.
In the end, the courage of victims like the young woman assaulted by McMurray and the determination of law enforcement and railway staff offer a glimmer of hope. Their actions remind us that while the journey toward safer public transport is far from over, every report, every arrest, and every conviction is a step in the right direction.
