RMT calls for action as rail assaults reach record high

RAIL union RMT called for action against assaults, after the latest figures revealed a 12 per cent increase of violence and abuse against rail workers.

The Office of Rail and Road reported 6,390 incidents of verbal abuse, 2,487 physical assaults and 2,412 threats.

There were also 13,464 reported assaults against passengers and members of the public on the mainline, an increase of 36 per cent and the highest number recorded since records began in 2004.  Harassment also increased by 52 per cent and common assaults by 30 per cent.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the figures were horrendous and concurred with union figures that two-thirds of RMT public transport members experienced violence at work in the past year.

Despite the fact that my union launched its Action Against Assaults campaign last year we are seeing soaring levels of abuse and violence against rail workers and passengers.

We are calling for a significant increase in staffing across public transport, including an end to lone working.

We also clearly need stronger legal protections for public transport workers against assaults at work.

British Transport Police funding cuts have also been disastrous which has undermined a proper policing presence on all public transport.

RMT has also been demanding an end to outsourced security and enforcement staff to be brought in-house as a matter of urgency.