In response to new data that shows there has been an increase in verbal and physical assaults at stations in London, a number of stations managed by Network Rail have launched a campaign aimed at reminding passengers that ‘Behind Every Uniform is Someone Just Like You'.
The new data shows that 90% of station staff have suffered abuse, including verbal abuse of a racist, sexist and homophobic nature, as well as physical assaults., with almost every member of staff having been verbally abused. Other forms of abuse suffered by staff include:
- 4/10 have been racially abused.
- 3/10 have been physically assaulted.
- 1/10 have suffered abuse of a sexual nature, including groping and lewd comments.
The stations managed by Network Rail that are running the campaign to remind passengers that “Behind Every Uniform is Someone Just Like You” are:
- Clapham Junction;
- London Charing Cross;
- London Victoria;
- London Bridge;
- London Waterloo;
- London Cannon Street;
- London St Pancras International;
- Guildford.
As an extra protection, staff are in the process of being supplied with body-worn cameras.
If anyone witnesses abuse taking place at a station, regardless of whether it against a member of railway staff or members of the public, they are asked to report it to the British Transport Police by phoning 0800 40 50 40. If the incident is non-urgent, information can be sent by text to 61016. Alternatively, abuse can be reported anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sam Chessex, Network Rail's director of stations, said: “We know most of our passengers wouldn't dream of behaving like this, but the statistics don't lie.
“This campaign reminds people that behind the uniforms there are real people, with real lives, who deserve to be treated with respect.
“If you can't treat our people with respect, we will be pursuing prosecutions.”
Ryodon Goddard, Network Rail station manager at London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street, said: “As station staff, our priorities are to keep passengers moving safely. We appreciate that delays can sometimes be extremely frustrating, and we want to use this campaign to remind passengers to treat station staff with respect because they're just trying to do their job and be helpful.”
Haffif Asunramu, a former customer service assistant at London Bridge, who now works as a revenue protection officer at the station, recalled being spat at during the height of the Covid lockdown in May 2021.
“People were still very nervous about travelling and there was a man hanging around outside the toilets, spitting on the floor,” Haffif said. “I had to challenge him and ask him to leave, and he told me to go back to my own country and racially abused me.
“He continued to racially abuse me. It was almost as if he was just saying anything that might provoke a reaction. You almost have to numb yourself to the racism, but then you don't come to work to be abused like this.”
Another colleague, Mike Ezra, a customer service assistant, had to take time off after being threatened on a night shift. Mike recalled “He started running towards me shouting and screaming and had his hand in a bag. I was frightened – I didn't know what was in the bag. I thought he was going to stab me or something, so I ran.”
“The police eventually caught up with him and detained him. But I had to take time off work because I was genuinely scared for my life. I didn't know if he was going to come back. I felt like I needed to get used to being around people again.”
