Reported assaults on Great Britain’s railways rise by fifth in a year

Unions say record high of nearly 25,000, including assaults on rail workers and public, shows need for more staff and policing

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The number of reported assaults on Great Britain’s railways has risen by a fifth to a record high of almost 25,000 incidents in a year.

Unions said the “horrendous” figures showed the need for more staff and policing, as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed a sharp increase in assaults on the travelling public and on railway staff last year.