Sex offences recorded on Birmingham buses rose by 25% last year, according to figures obtained by BirminghamLive through a Freedom of Information request. West Midlands Police recorded 79 sex offences on city buses in 2025, up from 63 in 2024. The data shows women accounted for three-quarters of the 142 victims across both years.
Crime trends and high-risk routes
The figures reveal that sex offences on buses were more than three times higher than in 2020, when 22 were recorded during the pandemic. The most common time for bus-related crime was between 3pm and 7pm.
The 11, 74, 50, 97 and 14 services were identified as the city's most crime-hit routes. Overall bus crime fell to 1,395 offences in 2025 from 1,511 in 2024.
Police response and targeted operations
Police said late-night buses were "not typically the most problematic aspect of public transport" but acknowledged challenges with alcohol-fuelled passengers. The force added: "Targeted operations and patrols are conducted, particularly on Friday and Saturday bus services when demand and the potential for incidents are higher."
Police stressed the figures did not capture every crime committed on buses and highlighted targeted operations to maintain passenger safety.
