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Labour MP says 'merit' in women-only train carriages Labour MP says 'merit' in women-only train carriages
(about 1 hour later)
Women-only train carriages could combat the rise in sexual offences on public transport, a Labour MP has said.Women-only train carriages could combat the rise in sexual offences on public transport, a Labour MP has said.
Shadow fire minister Chris Williamson said it would be "worth consulting" on the policy after such crimes doubled in the past five years.Shadow fire minister Chris Williamson said it would be "worth consulting" on the policy after such crimes doubled in the past five years.
However, Labour colleagues have criticised the move as "normalising attacks".However, Labour colleagues have criticised the move as "normalising attacks".
Party leader Jeremy Corbyn first suggested the policy during his leadership election campaign in 2015.Party leader Jeremy Corbyn first suggested the policy during his leadership election campaign in 2015.
Mr Williamson, MP for Derby North, highlighted figures from the British Transport Police, showing 1,448 sexual offences on trains had been reported in 2016-17, compared with 650 incidents in 2012-13.Mr Williamson, MP for Derby North, highlighted figures from the British Transport Police, showing 1,448 sexual offences on trains had been reported in 2016-17, compared with 650 incidents in 2012-13.
The figures, obtained by a freedom of information request from BBC Radio 5 live, show crimes reported in England, Scotland and Wales and include the London Underground.The figures, obtained by a freedom of information request from BBC Radio 5 live, show crimes reported in England, Scotland and Wales and include the London Underground.
He then told PoliticsHome that women-only carriages - which have been tested in countries including Japan, Brazil and Mexico - should be consulted on as they could create a "safe space".He then told PoliticsHome that women-only carriages - which have been tested in countries including Japan, Brazil and Mexico - should be consulted on as they could create a "safe space".
"It was pooh-poohed [when Mr Corbyn suggested it], but these statistics seem to indicate there is some merit in examining that," he said."It was pooh-poohed [when Mr Corbyn suggested it], but these statistics seem to indicate there is some merit in examining that," he said.
"Complemented with having more guards on trains, it would be a way of combating these attacks, which have seen a very worrying increase in the past few years.""Complemented with having more guards on trains, it would be a way of combating these attacks, which have seen a very worrying increase in the past few years."
Mr Williamson added: "I'm not saying it has to happen, but it may create a safe space. It would be a matter of personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of it."Mr Williamson added: "I'm not saying it has to happen, but it may create a safe space. It would be a matter of personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of it."
The idea for women-only carriages was dropped by Mr Corbyn two years ago after fellow members of his party criticised it, including senior Labour MPs Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.The idea for women-only carriages was dropped by Mr Corbyn two years ago after fellow members of his party criticised it, including senior Labour MPs Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.
And Mr Williamson's comments have again been attacked by colleagues.And Mr Williamson's comments have again been attacked by colleagues.
Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy tweeted: "Can we make all carriages safe for all passengers rather than restricting where we can go?Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy tweeted: "Can we make all carriages safe for all passengers rather than restricting where we can go?
"[It] doesn't keep women safe to restrict their movements - it normalises attacks. We need to be clear they [the attackers] are problem, not women's seating plans.""[It] doesn't keep women safe to restrict their movements - it normalises attacks. We need to be clear they [the attackers] are problem, not women's seating plans."
Mumbai's Ladies Special train
Earlier this year, the Ladies Special train in Mumbai, India, marked 25 years since its first service in 1992.
The train is exclusively for women and runs alongside gender-specific carriages on other services.
Commuters shared their stories of the Ladies Special train with the BBC in an article from 2009.
Sangeeta spoke of women being harassed by men often on other trains.
She said: "They touch and pinch…[but]… here nobody passes lewd comments.
"Nobody teases us - it's great."
Student Charu Dua said: "We can laugh, we can sit where we want, we can do whatever we want, we feel free. We can sing a song, as loud as we want."
But one man, Satya Pal, told the BBC the policy was "not practical", because it meant men had to travel separately from their wives, daughters or sisters.
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said the policy was an "absolutely terrible idea".Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said the policy was an "absolutely terrible idea".
She tweeted: "It is essentially giving up on trying to prosecute assaults. Also, men should be incredibly annoyed by [the] suggestion they can't control themselves.She tweeted: "It is essentially giving up on trying to prosecute assaults. Also, men should be incredibly annoyed by [the] suggestion they can't control themselves.
"Sexual violence isn't about urges, it's about power. If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia, you've gone wrong.""Sexual violence isn't about urges, it's about power. If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia, you've gone wrong."
The Women's Equality Party said it had not changed its opinion since the Labour leader first proposed women-only trains in 2015.The Women's Equality Party said it had not changed its opinion since the Labour leader first proposed women-only trains in 2015.
The party's co-founder, Catherine Mayer, tweeted that it was "not a good idea", as the party "vigorously pointed out" when it was first suggested.The party's co-founder, Catherine Mayer, tweeted that it was "not a good idea", as the party "vigorously pointed out" when it was first suggested.