Anti-social behaviour on buses: FOI release

Information requested

1. Please provide the total number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour occurring on buses operating in Scotland, for each calendar year 2024 and 2025 (to date).

2. If available, please provide a breakdown of:

• The nature or type of incidents (verbal abuse, vandalism, disorderly conduct, assault, etc.)
• The location (route or station) where the incidents occurred (if recorded)
• The outcomes or actions taken (police involvement, fines, bans)

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not hold this information as there is no requirement on all operators to collect and share this data, which will affect the coverage of any data collected. Additionally, operator thresholds for reporting antisocial behaviour will vary affecting the consistency of any shared data. Therefore, we encourage you to contact individual bus operators directly for any inquiries.

Although we do not hold this information, Transport Scotland is working with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and operators to encourage the industry to collect more data to improve knowledge of antisocial behaviour on buses.

You may be interested to know that Transport Scotland officials are working closely with stakeholders, including the bus industry, to develop specific actions to tackle antisocial behaviour on the bus network. Alongside this, officials attend meetings with bus operators and Police Scotland on a regular basis, where discussion is focused on methods to improve safety and responsible travel on buses including on card suspension and behaviour code, education materials, data gathering, best practice, and Transport Safety Officers.

Bus operators can already restrict access to their services in line with their own conditions of carriage and Transport Scotland are working closely with relevant stakeholders to develop further effective, appropriate and enforceable deterrents to tackle antisocial behaviour on the bus network. In addition Police Scotland and local authorities lead on interventions, and have a range of options and powers available for preventing and tackling antisocial and offending behaviour.

The Scottish Government commissioned an independent working group to undertake an in-depth review of antisocial behaviour looking for a sustainable approach to preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour including improved support for victims. This was published on 25th February 2025 and is available at Report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour. The review findings include some of the issues that you have mentioned. The Scottish Government is considering the findings and will respond in due course continuing to focus on supporting local community.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.