Six train workers attacked every day

Rail commuters are taking out their anger about late trains and rising fares by attacking staff.

The number of physical and verbal assaults is at an all-time high, with 3,500 incidents last year, a increase of 18 per cent. It is the third successive year that attacks on staff have risen. More than 1,500 assaults were on board trains - a 37 per cent increase on the previous 12-month period.

Six staff, on average, are physically assaulted every day.

Assaults by fare-dodgers were up by 27 per cent and account for one third of all incidents. It is believed the real number of assaults is much higher with many going unreported.

Now police and rail chiefs fear the number of attacks on staff could rise even higher in the run-up to Christmas, fuelled by after-work drinking. The RMT, the largest rail union, today called for more staff at stations, particularly in the evenings, and the return of guards to all trains. The Evening Standard has launched a campaign demanding greater safety at stations across the South - today highlighted by police as having the worst record for attacks.

The Rail Passengers Council for Southern England said poorly lit and unstaffed stations were places where passengers "fear to tread" in the evening.

Mounting fare prices could add to the problem of attacks. In the next few days, train operators will announce inflationbusting fare increases from January.

The majority of assaults happen in the evening and later at night "when passenger frustration and alcohol levels are likely to be greatest", says the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), the umbrella group for passenger train operators.

The busy commuter routes through south London are the most dangerous in the UK for passengers and staff, with more than double the number of assaults recorded in other regions, says the British Transport Police. There were 484 incidents involving assaults on staff for the year to March in London South - which serves routes into Victoria, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Blackfriars stations. The detection rate was 33 per cent.

The next most dangerous mainline routes are to the north of London serving Euston, King's Cross and St Pancras. The highest number of assaults was recorded on London Underground with 820 incidents.

ATOC today launched a year-long nationwide campaign in an effort to cut the number of assaults. A spokeswoman said: "The campaign is timed to coincide with the Christmas season, which traditionally sees an upsurge in the number of rail staff falling victim to verbal abuse, threats or physical violence. Many of the incidents are drink related."

The campaign includes posters warning that rail operators will prosecute anyone who abuses staff. Keith Ludeman, ATOC chairman, promised "total support" for any prosecution taken against an attacker.