TfL users urged to 'act like a friend' to victims

TfL is urging transport users to "act like a friend" in cases of hate crimes or harassment

Transport users in London are being urged to step in if they see fellow passengers falling victim to hate crimes or harassment.

Rather than looking away, people should approach the victim, pretend like they are old friends and engage them in conversation, thus deterring predators from continuing their attacks, Transport for London (TfL) said.

As part of its new Act Like a Friend campaign, TfL teamed up with charity Protection Approaches to provide free training classes on how to be an "active bystander".

Passengers should only intervene if they feel it is safe to do so, TfL added.

Siwan Hayward, TfL's director of security policing enforcement, said: "Our new campaign shows how powerful it can be to strike up a conversation with the targeted person and treat them like a friend, to help them feel less alone and make the first steps towards reporting the incident."

'Stand up to hate crime'

The campaign video, which is based on real life examples of Londoners being harassed on the transport network, is due to be screened at cinemas across London as well as ITVX.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "No-one should be a victim of hate crime or harassment in London or feel anxious or targeted because of who they are.

"TfL's new campaign gives Londoners the knowledge and confidence to stand up to hate crime, address intolerant behaviours and safely challenge hateful narratives."

The campaign also marks the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week.