Rail Unions Urge Action After Deadly LNER Stabbings Attack in Cambridgeshire, Highlighting Safety Gaps Amid Staffing Cuts.
The recent stabbings attack on an LNER train in Cambridgeshire has shaken the rail industry, prompting rail unions to demand enhanced security measures and greater protection for staff and passengers. The incident, which resulted in a life-threatening injury to a LNER staff member who attempted to intervene, has cast a spotlight on transport safety following budget cuts that have affected police numbers and rail staffing.
The RMT and TSSA unions have expressed concern over the rising number of recorded assaults on railways, with 10,231 incidents reported last year, including 7% more than the previous year. However, harassment or common assault accounts for a significant majority of these incidents, which can include threatening behavior. Despite this, rail staff continue to report widespread fear of attack, with 2,793 workers injured or traumatized by assaults in the past year.
The TSSA has called on LNER and the government to review security and take swift action to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The union's general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, emphasized that safety and staffing are interconnected and cannot be prioritized over one another. "Safety and staffing go hand in hand," she said.
Rail unions have also criticized the lack of comprehensive security measures on trains, with only Eurostar at London St Pancras featuring advanced airport-style security. However, even a scaled-down version would be impractical and costly, requiring significant investment in infrastructure and personnel.
A former chief constable has downplayed the idea of increasing security measures, stating that "it just isn't going to happen." Nevertheless, experts argue that more investment could help, including in facial recognition technology, random searches, and staff training. The British Transport Police is funded by the railway industry, and successive governments have sought to make savings across the board, which has involved reducing police budgets, abolishing ticket offices, and increasing driver-only operation.
The incident highlights the urgent need for rail unions and government to work together to address safety concerns and prevent similar incidents from occurring. As the rail industry continues to grapple with budget constraints, enhanced security measures must be a priority to protect staff and passengers.
The recent stabbings attack on an LNER train in Cambridgeshire has shaken the rail industry, prompting rail unions to demand enhanced security measures and greater protection for staff and passengers. The incident, which resulted in a life-threatening injury to a LNER staff member who attempted to intervene, has cast a spotlight on transport safety following budget cuts that have affected police numbers and rail staffing.
The RMT and TSSA unions have expressed concern over the rising number of recorded assaults on railways, with 10,231 incidents reported last year, including 7% more than the previous year. However, harassment or common assault accounts for a significant majority of these incidents, which can include threatening behavior. Despite this, rail staff continue to report widespread fear of attack, with 2,793 workers injured or traumatized by assaults in the past year.
The TSSA has called on LNER and the government to review security and take swift action to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The union's general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, emphasized that safety and staffing are interconnected and cannot be prioritized over one another. "Safety and staffing go hand in hand," she said.
Rail unions have also criticized the lack of comprehensive security measures on trains, with only Eurostar at London St Pancras featuring advanced airport-style security. However, even a scaled-down version would be impractical and costly, requiring significant investment in infrastructure and personnel.
A former chief constable has downplayed the idea of increasing security measures, stating that "it just isn't going to happen." Nevertheless, experts argue that more investment could help, including in facial recognition technology, random searches, and staff training. The British Transport Police is funded by the railway industry, and successive governments have sought to make savings across the board, which has involved reducing police budgets, abolishing ticket offices, and increasing driver-only operation.
The incident highlights the urgent need for rail unions and government to work together to address safety concerns and prevent similar incidents from occurring. As the rail industry continues to grapple with budget constraints, enhanced security measures must be a priority to protect staff and passengers.
I'm not sure how much sense it makes for train companies to invest in security measures when you've got a system where police budgets are being slashed and ticket offices are being axed. It's like trying to put a band-aid on a bullet wound, you know? 
The rail industry needs to take a step back and think about whether the cuts they're making are really worth it in terms of safety. And what's with the idea that we need advanced airport-style security just because Eurostar has it? It feels like a solution in search of a problem... or at least one that's not being fully thought out 
this is so messed up what kinda world are we living in where rail staff can't even feel safe on their own trains? 
10k+ incidents reported last year is insane, and it's not just physical attacks but also harassment and threats... it's like they're walking into a war zone every day. 
the government and train companies need to step up their game and invest in safety measures ASAP, not just some token gesture. 
. It's not just the attacks that are the problem, it's the fact that the police numbers have been reduced due to budget cuts which means they can't effectively patrol the trains and stations. And then you've got rail staff being injured or traumatized by assaults - 2,793 workers in one year is shocking! 
. We can't keep ignoring these issues and expecting things to magically get better.
i mean rmt and tssa are already fighting for better staffing and now they're asking for security measures too? 
lner should really step up their game and get some real security in place, like airport style scanners or something 
it's not that hard to make trains safe and secure again 
we need better cameras and random searches and facial recognition tech to catch ppl who are trying to harm others 
and how shocking it was to see someone get stabbed on TV. Fast forward to today, and we're still dealing with this issue... it's just not cool 
. Anyway, I guess the union rep said something about safety and staffing going hand in hand? Yeah, that makes sense. We need to make sure our trains are safe for everyone, from passengers to staff members 
.
It's not like they're asking for the moon here - just some basic safety measures to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. But nope, everyone's too busy cutting costs and making savings.
! Like, what kinda security measures are we talking here? 
And staff are still being injured or traumatized by attacks? 
. It's all about prioritizing people over profits, you know? 
. We need to get rid of this "it just isn't going to happen" mentality 
. I don't get why the unions are surprised, tho 
- we all know there's been staffing cuts and whatnot, which is already a recipe for disaster 
. And now this? It's just not right 
.
I'm all for reducing costs, but safety should be the top priority 
what's going on? I mean, we've got budget cuts left and right and still our railways aren't safe 
the unions R right, safety & staffing gotta be prioritized, like can't have one without the other 
even tho LNER's tryin to cut costs by reducin police presence & stuff. It's all about findin that balance between saving $$ and keepin people safe 
. I'm so worried about the mental health of all these rail workers, they're clearly going through a nightmare. Can't we just sort out the budget issues already? 
. What's the point of investing in fancy trains if you can't even keep your staff safe? 
We need to get some real action on this ASAP 
.
. How can we expect rail unions and gov to work together when we see reductions in police budgets and rail staffing? Its like they're trying to solve two problems at once - safety gaps & staffing cuts - with just a few token gestures. I mean, what's the point of having advanced security measures on Eurostar if others dont follow suit? Rail unions need concrete proof that gov is committed to improving safety and not just paying lip service 
maybe we shouldnt rely on facial recognition alone 
or random searches, but more on community involvement and reporting incidents 
its not rocket science, just prioritize people over profits