The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has issued a stark warning, directly linking a sharp rise in violent attacks on railway staff to deep cuts within the British Transport Police (BTP). The union has threatened to ballot for nationwide industrial action unless the government takes immediate, concrete steps to reverse the trend and bolster safety.
A Summer of Violence on the Rails
Official figures reveal a disturbing escalation in assaults against rail employees. Over the summer months of 2025, incidents surged by 17 per cent compared to the same period the previous year. Looking at the full year up to August, the increase stands at nearly 13 per cent, with a shocking 2,299 assaults recorded between June and August alone.
RMT leaders argue this spike in violence is no coincidence. They point to a significant funding shortfall that has led to the loss of 522 BTP roles this year and reduced police presence at stations across the network. The severity of the situation was underscored by BTP Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi, who warned in a recent report that the force is now operating at the very limit of safe staffing levels.
Union Demands Action and Legal Change
In response to the crisis, which was tragically highlighted by the Huntingdon train attack on November 1 that left 11 people injured including an LNER worker, the RMT has laid out clear demands. The union is calling for the immediate recruitment of 1,000 additional police officers to protect both passengers and staff.
Furthermore, the RMT is pushing for legislative change. Union bosses want the government to amend the Crime and Policing Bill, currently under scrutiny in the House of Lords, to create a specific, standalone offence for assaulting a public transport worker. They are also demanding a secure, long-term funding settlement for the BTP to prevent future cuts.
"Real People Being Punched and Abused"
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey condemned the situation, stating that the statistics represent real workers facing daily danger. "Rail workers are facing increasing levels of violence while policing resources meant to protect them and passengers are being cut back," Dempsey said. "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."
He echoed the BTP's own warnings about unsustainable deployment levels and called for government intervention. "The government must step in with a proper funding plan and must legislate for a standalone offence to deter attacks," Dempsey insisted. He concluded with a firm ultimatum: "If employers fail to act, our union will not hesitate to move towards a national ballot to ensure our members are protected at work."
The union's threat of industrial action places significant pressure on rail operators and the government to address the safety crisis engulfing the UK's railways.
