ACT ON ASSAULTS!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sep/oct 2025 :: RMTnews 10 RMT has demanded urgent and decisive action from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to adequately respond to a serious rise in assaults and anti-social behaviour affecting staff. Union members are reporting near-daily incidents involving physical assault, spitting, verbal abuse, threats, and intimidation. This surge in aggressive behaviour is putting the physical and mental wellbeing of frontline rail workers at risk, with staff increasingly required to carry out their duties in fear. Despite repeated calls for meaningful intervention, GTR has so far failed to introduce adequate safety measures. The union has outlined three immediate priorities: • The deployment of additional staff and security presence at key stations and onboard services • A visible and consistent enforcement operation to deter violence and anti- social conduct • A company-wide safety plan developed in consultation with staff representatives, aimed at ensuring a safe working environment for all employees. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the level of violence on GTR’s Southern and Gatwick Express services has reached a crisis point. “Our members are being assaulted, threatened, and abused at work and the company is not doing enough to stop it. “GTR must act without delay to protect its staff and passengers. If the company continues to ignore this situation, the union will be forced to consider all options, including industrial action. We will not accept a working environment where staff are left exposed to violence,” he said. The union’s Action on Assaults campaign continues to highlight the need for a zero-tolerance approach to violence across the rail network. It calls for improved staffing levels, better reporting mechanisms, and robust support for staff affected by abuse. The testimony received from members backs up earlier RMT research where it surveyed 6,000 members across rail, bus, metro, maritime and underground sectors, finding that 63 per cent experienced workplace violence in the past year, and over 85 per cent of them were assaulted multiple times. The majority of cases involved verbal abuse, with many also facing threats, physical assaults, and harassment including racist and sexist abuse. Notably, over 60 per cent of the most serious incidents occurred during lone working. RMT regional organiser John Parsons said that the problems on these routes were not isolated incidents but part of a sustained pattern. “This isn’t just a spike - it’s an ongoing issue that’s been raised time and again. “Our members are on the front line, often working alone or in understaffed environments, and facing unacceptable levels of risk. “The company cannot continue to rely on posters and campaigns while failing to provide basic protection and visible enforcement. We need real, practical action, not warm words,” he said. He also acknowledged that the media blitz by the union had had the desired effect on management with further talks occurring with a view to putting in place measures that will help members feel safer at work. “Many of our members are showing up for work knowing they’re likely to be threatened or abused during their shift. “It’s taking a serious toll on morale and mental health. No one should be asked to work under those conditions,” he said. SOUTHERN ASSAULTS Figures from earlier this year highlight similar trends elsewhere in the Southern region, illustrating the broader scale of the issue. Rail staff in Sussex are reportedly being assaulted more than once per week, with over 60 staff members assaulted on board trains in a recent period according to a British Transport Police (BTP) Freedom of Information request. In one case, an on-board supervisor at Billingshurst station was attacked by a suspected fare dodger, sustaining a fractured neck, a chipped tooth, and requiring stitches to the lip. Frontline rail workers face persistent violence, even outside the GTR network which is why RMT’s Action Against Assaults campaign nationally will press for urgent changes on two fronts. The union is demanding action from employers to end lone working, reduce late- night exposure, and ensure proper staffing and safety protocols. The union will also support health and safety reps to challenge unsafe conditions through workplace structures and push for system-wide action via industry bodies such as Great British Railways. RMT is calling for a standalone criminal offence for abusing or assaulting public transport workers. The campaign will also build alliances with NGOs, women’s groups, and disability advocates to raise wider public awareness and support. Mr Dempsey added: “With cuts to staffing and police presence continuing, too many workers are being left at risk. Action Against Assaults sends a clear message that protecting public transport workers is urgent, and it is a key priority for the union”. ACTION AGAINST ASSAULTS ACT ON ASSAULTS! RMT demands immediate action on southern rail services run by Govia