From the Bristol Evening Post
DRIVE TO CUT ATTACKS ON RAIL WORKERS
10:40 - 04 June 2007
A Campaign to crack down on attacks on railway staff has been launched by bosses of the First Great Western rail network.Managers have joined forces with the British Transport Police to curb the increasing number of verbal and physical assaults on staff.
They are aiming to raise awareness of the effects of workplace violence experienced by rail staff.
On average, there is one violent incident a week against staff working on the South West rail network. Usually they involve verbal abuse from drunken passengers but physical assaults are also reported.
Staff have been spat at, punched, kicked, sexually assaulted and had things thrown at them. Some have even ended up in hospital.
Bristol and South West sector commander of British Transport Police, Chief Inspector Kevin Marshall, said: "We want people to be very clear that violent intimidation in any form, be it verbal or physical, towards staff or passengers will not be tolerated.
"All staff are equipped and fully trained to use tools such as DNA swab kits, which assist us in identifying offenders.
"They are encouraged to call BTP immediately to report incidents if they are in a position where they feel threatened. Those who assault staff will be arrested and prosecuted and may be banned from using rail services."