Transport for London is reminding the public of the dangers of retrieving personal belongings from Tube tracks after reported incidents involving items on the railway more than doubled between 2022 and 2025.

Annual reports of objects falling onto London Underground tracks rose from 209 incidents in 2022 to 438 in 2025, including a sharp increase of 166 incidents between 2024 and 2025 alone.

Passengers who enter the track area risk serious injury from electrified rails, as well as prosecution and fines for trespass offences. The operator is emphasising that trained staff are available to recover items safely and is increasing poster campaigns across the network to discourage passengers from attempting retrievals themselves.

Station staff use specialised Track Retrieval Devices fitted with different attachments capable of recovering items ranging from mobile phones and earbuds to hats and shoes without entering the track. In some cases, staff may need to access the track or wait until the end of service before retrieving belongings.

Passengers on the Elizabeth line, London Overground and London Underground are advised to contact platform staff or use help points. DLR passengers should alert onboard staff or use platform alarms, while London Trams passengers are asked to use Passenger Help Points.

Transport for London also reminded customers to stand behind the yellow line, look after their belongings and avoid rushing through stations.

“When a valuable or important personal belonging falls onto the tracks, it’s natural to panic, but that moment of panic can cloud our judgement. Going onto the tracks to retrieve the item is extremely dangerous, endangering ourselves and others. No item’s worth that risk. We urge everyone to stay behind the yellow line and take precautions to prevent items from falling. If something does fall, our trained staff are ready to help, to save you putting yourself and others at risk.”

Mark Evers, TfL’s lead on Customer Insight, Strategy and Experience.