There’s shocking—and then there’s “a man openly smoking crack on the Tube” shocking. For Londoners, the latter was a reality when an incident aboard the Victoria Line in mid-2023 went viral, putting a glaring spotlight on a deeper issue—an unchecked crime wave engulfing the Transport for London (TfL) system. What was once a symbol of world-class urban mobility is now increasingly associated with drug use, fare dodging, and lawlessness. The incident isn’t an isolated one—it’s a mirror reflecting the public’s growing concern over safety and the quality of life in Britain’s capital.
Let’s dive deep into what exactly happened, why it’s part of a disturbing pattern, and what can—or should—be done about it.
Introduction to a Disturbing Trend
What Happened on the Victoria Line
In July 2023, award-winning food writer Fuchsia Dunlop was riding the London Underground’s Victoria Line when she witnessed a man brazenly lighting up what appeared to be a crack pipe right there in the carriage. Astonished and disturbed, she took to Twitter to share the surreal experience, writing: “I’m on the Victoria line and there is a man actually smoking crack in the carriage. It’s the second time I’ve been amazed…” Her tweet quickly gained traction, drawing both disbelief and confirmation from other passengers who have witnessed similar scenes.
In the footage and images later circulated, the man—clearly unfazed by his surroundings—prepares a white substance, possibly crack cocaine, and smokes it in full view of other commuters. The moment didn’t happen in some far-off dark alley—it happened in the heart of a world-class city, in one of the most frequented mass transit systems on the planet.
Eyewitness Reactions and Public Outrage
Commuters on the train were understandably shaken. Some moved carriages; others avoided eye contact, unsure whether confrontation would escalate the situation. This wasn’t just unsettling—it was dangerous. Drug use in such confined public spaces presents real health and safety risks. And perhaps even more disturbingly, many riders simply looked away, as if this had become an everyday occurrence. And maybe it has.
The story set social media alight. Thousands expressed disbelief, while hundreds shared their own chilling anecdotes from the Underground. The outrage wasn’t just about one person smoking drugs in public—it was about what it signaled: a crumbling public system where laws no longer apply, and criminal behavior faces no consequence.
Social Media Virality and Public Backlash
In the age of virality, a single video can fuel a movement. This incident did just that. TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram exploded with clips showing various misbehaviors on TfL services: brawls, vandalism, drug use, and open harassment. Hashtags like #TfLCrimeWave and #FixLondonTransport began trending, turning the Tube from a transit tool into a public safety debate.
This digital backlash soon turned political, with critics targeting the city’s leadership for being asleep at the wheel. Londoners, long tolerant of the capital’s grit and unpredictability, voiced loud and clear that this time, enough is enough.
Escalating Crime on the TfL Network
Drug Use in Public Transport
Unfortunately, this was not a one-off. Reports of substance abuse on trains and buses have been increasing, with some passengers saying they’ve witnessed people snorting cocaine or injecting heroin while en route to work or school. This shocking normalization of hard drug use in public spaces is not just an urban myth—it’s becoming part of everyday reality.
The Victoria Line incident served as a wake-up call to just how bold and unafraid some individuals have become. The visible absence of enforcement emboldens this behavior. Without a significant police presence, the deterrent factor is virtually nonexistent.
Fare Evasion and Loss of Revenue
It’s not just drug use that’s plaguing TfL. Fare evasion has turned into a full-blown epidemic. A recent undercover report at Stratford station found that in just 90 minutes, over 60 individuals dodged fares. That equates to hundreds per day at a single location. The annual loss? A staggering £130 million.
Fare evasion erodes the integrity of the system. Law-abiding passengers are forced to shoulder higher fares, while rule-breakers skate by without consequence. It’s unfair, unsustainable, and symptomatic of a system spiraling out of control.
Other Notable Criminal Acts on Trains
In addition to drug use and fare dodging, crimes like pickpocketing, verbal abuse, indecent exposure, and even physical assault are being reported at higher frequencies. The presence of CCTV hasn’t curbed these behaviors, and many crimes go unpunished due to poor enforcement or lack of response.
When passengers don’t feel safe in their daily commutes, the issue transcends mere inconvenience—it becomes a matter of public trust in civic infrastructure.
