Rail unions have called for a review of security measures following a mass stabbing attack on an LNER train in Cambridgeshire, which left a staff member with life-threatening injuries. The incident has renewed focus on transport safety amid budget cuts affecting police numbers and rail staffing.
British Transport Police praised the actions of onboard crew, stating that CCTV footage showed their efforts were 'nothing short of heroic' and 'undoubtedly saved many people's lives'. The RMT and TSSA unions have urged the government and rail operators to strengthen support, resources, and procedures.
While fatal violence on trains is rare, the attack recalls a 2019 killing on a train in Guildford. Airport-style security, which could have detected weapons, is currently only in place at Eurostar's London St Pancras station. A former chief constable of British Transport Police ruled out its wider use, citing impracticality and cost.
However, he suggested increased investment in facial recognition, random searches, and staff. The British Transport Police is funded by the railway, and successive governments have sought savings through budget cuts, ticket office closures, and driver-only operations, resisted by unions.
Recorded assaults on railways rose 7% to an annual high of 10,231 last year, though most involve harassment or common assault. A 2024 report found 2,793 rail workers were injured or traumatised by assault or abuse in the previous year, while a TSSA survey of members reported 40% had experienced incidents involving weapons.
