TfL has launched a new campaign to tackle violence and aggression against staff on the transport network, the campaign launched in response to an increase in all incidents of work-related violence and aggression, with higher numbers of verbal abuse, threats, hate and aggression being reported.
In 2023/24 there were 10,493 reports of work-related violence and aggression, compared to 9,989 in 2022/23, an increase of 5%.
While total incidents have increased, the number of physical incidents reported recently has decreased.
From 1 April to 22 June 2024, 197 physical incidents were reported by directly employed TfL staff, a 20% reduction compared to the same period last year, when there were 248 reported incidents.
TfL hopes to continue seeing this downward trend through the widespread adoption of body worn video cameras (BWVC), deployment of Transport Support Enforcement Officers and rollout of conflict management training.
The new campaign builds on efforts by TfL and police to tackle work-related violence and aggression across the network.
Earlier this year, TfL made BWVC part of its essential kit for frontline customer facing staff after research showed that the risk of assaults on colleagues can almost halve when wearing a BWVC, and the footage can provide vital evidence to the police if an assault does occur, resulting in better outcomes when offenders go to court.
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Earlier this year, TfL also launched a new programme of conflict management training for customer-facing operational teams working in high-risk locations for work-related violence and aggression across London Underground, Bus Operations and River Services.
This training provides essential knowledge and skills, covering positive interactions to reduce the risks of violence and aggression, dynamic risk assessments and de-escalation skills.
TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, Siwan Hayward, said: “Everyone has the right to work without fear of being assaulted, abused or threatened.
“We take work-related violence and aggression extremely seriously and will always encourage staff to report any instance of abuse whether physical or non-physical.
“This means that preventative measures can be taken and the strongest penalties brought against offenders.
“This new campaign aims to send a strong message to offenders that staff abuse won’t be tolerated on our services and that you will be caught and face serious consequences.
“We are committed to doing all we can to protect our colleagues and keep them safe, and to eradicate work-related violence and aggression.”
Achievements and innovations in public transport safety will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
