Increase in violence on rail network


Rail union RMT has called for a halt to staff cuts as new British Transport Police (BTP) figures revealed a more-than-tripling of knife crime on the railways over the last four years, and an almost doubling of violence on the London Underground over the last three years.


BTP recorded 1,059 offences involving a knife or blade on the railways in 2018, up from 388 in 2015. The numbers caught carrying a knife rose from 24 in 2015 to 136 in 2018. 


Both RMT and train drivers’ union ASLEF have expressed alarm that the increase is related to county lines gangs using trains, and young people, to move drugs and cash around the country. 


BTP has also recorded a 43% increase in violent crime on the London Underground over the past three years. 


RMT called for a reversal of job cuts and a renewed focus on safety in response to the “rising tide of violence” on trains, platforms and the tube network and ASLEF said all trains and all stations must be properly staffed. 


Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT said the figures should serve as a wake-up call to the government and train operators.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-calls-for-halt-to-staf23119