The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) claims police cuts are behind the surge of attacks on rail staff. Figures show a 17 per cent rise in assaults on rail workers over the summer months compared with the same period last year.
Across the full year to August 2025, this increase is nearly 13 per cent, with 2,299 incidents recorded between June and August alone. The RMT says the escalation in violence coincides with significant cuts to British Transport Police (BTP) jobs and station coverage caused by a funding shortfall.
This year, 522 BTP roles have been cut, with Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi warning in her latest report to the British Transport Police Authority that the force is now "operating at the limits of safe headcount reduction."
In the wake of the Huntingdon rail attacks on November 1, the RMT called for 1,000 additional officers to be hired so passengers and rail staff are kept safe. Union bosses want the government to amend the Crime and Policing Bill which is currently being scrutinised by the House of Lords to create a standalone offence for assaulting a public transport worker..
They also want a secure, long-term funding settlement for BTP, threatening industrial action if "concrete steps" are not made.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "Rail workers are facing increasing levels of violence while policing resources meant to protect them and passengers are being cut back. A 17% rise in assaults represents real people being punched, threatened, spat at and abused for simply doing their jobs. This is not a situation our union will ever accept.
"BTP officers themselves have warned that their current level of deployment is unsustainable. The government must step in with a proper funding plan and must legislate for a standalone offence to deter attacks on public transport workers.
"If employers fail to act, our union will not hesitate to move towards a national ballot to ensure our members are protected at work."