“Headphone dodgers” who play music or videos out loud on public transport are part of a wider problem of anti-social behaviour, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
His comments at Prime Minister’s Questions came after a survey of Londoners found that almost two-thirds backed the introduction of £1,000 fines for noise offenders.
Comment: I have misophonia and TfL's lack of action on headphone dodgers is unbearable
The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign calling for a ban on “headphone dodgers” who infuriate their fellow Tube, train and bus passengers by making calls on speakerphone and playing music and videos out loud.
Lib-Dem transport spokesman Paul Kohler asked Sir Keir whether he would support “effective enforcement” – and a campaign to “persuade people to plug in their headphones”.
Mr Kohler, the Lib-Dem MP for Wimbledon, also suggested widening the campaign to tackle another public transport menace – passengers who put their feet on the seats.
Mr Kohler asked Sir Keir on Wednesday: “The playing of music and loud videos on public transport without headphones has become increasingly common.
“The various bylaws outlawing such anti-social behaviour are clearly not working.
“Planned cuts to the British Transport Police are bound to make matters worse.
“Will the Prime Minister back the Lib-Dem plan to give us effective enforcement and a publicity campaign to persuade people to plug in their headphones?”
Mr Kohler added: “After which, you never know, perhaps we can encourage the uncivil minority to take their feet off the seats.”
Sir Keir replied: “It raises a really important question of anti-social behaviour.”
Criticising Tory MPs for laughing at the matter, the Prime Minister said there were “strict rules” already in place that enabled fines of up to £1,000 for anti-social behaviour.
He said an additional £1.2bn had been set aside for policing, including 13,000 new neighbourhood officers.
He added: “We are focused on tackling anti-social behaviour. It’s not low level. It does affect people and their communities and their sense of safety.”
Last year, the then Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall said she would throw passengers off the Tube if they played music out loud, as part of a wider crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Recent polling by YouGov asked a sample of Londoners whether they would support or oppose the introduction of fines of up to £1,000 for people playing music or videos out loud on their phone speakers on public transport or at train stations and bus stops.
A total of 34 per cent of Londoners responding to the survey were strongly in favour – the highest support in the country – and another 31 per cent said they would “somewhat support” the idea.
A separate survey found that, nationwide, one in 10 people often experienced anti-social behaviour on public transport and 28 per cent sometimes.
However, more than half of respondents – 54 per cent – said they would not feel comfortable intervening and asking for the noise to be turned down.
Mr Kohler said after PMQs: “Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in public spaces. Playing loud music without headphones is a daily source of stress and disruption.
“The various by-laws outlawing this antisocial behaviour are clearly not working, and announced cuts to the British transport police are bound to make matters worse.
“I’m pleased the Prime Minister recognises that this is a serious issue, and that respect for others must be at the heart of how we build safer, more civil communities.”
The TSSA union warned last December that 17 British Transport Police stations had been ear-marked for closure, and 286 job losses were predicted.
