Staff training, additional cameras and the removal of seats are among the station redesigns intended to cut the number of suicides at UK rail stations. The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) keeps statistics on annual fatalities and type of incident. We've visualised their numbers below as well as a few other statistics that give context to the issue.

238 suicides in 2012

The number of suicides has been the same for two years running, having risen 17% from 2010. But that rise has also occurred alongside a general rise in the number of passenger journeys.

The number of suicides on Britain's rails also makes up a small fraction of the total number of suicides that happen each year - 6,045 in 2011 according to the mental health charity The Samaritans.

78% of all rail fatalities are suicide

The vast majority of all fatalities on the rail system are as a result of a suicide bid. Other categories that make up a small fraction of deaths include 'trespassers' (53 fatalities in 2012), "level crossings" (5) and "slips, trips and falls" (1).

Fewer suicides on the underground

A freedom of information request to Transport for London revealed a far lower number of fatalities from suicide attempts on the London underground - 21 deaths in 2011 - although again, this is probably more indicative of lower passenger numbers than station safety.

One of the highest rates in Europe

In 2011, deaths from suicide on the UK's rail network accounted for around 7% of all suicides that took place on EU rail. You can click to view different years in the interactive below. Germany and France consistently have the first and second highest numbers of suicides on their railways.

Are you affected by this?

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