The number of incidents of work-related violence and aggression
towards transport workers in London increased to around 200 per
week across 2023/24.[1]
However, evidence suggests that Transport for London's (TfL)
official figures almost certainly underreport the true scale of
assaults on transport workers, as many incidents of work-related
violence and aggression towards transport workers go unreported.
The evidence the London Assembly Transport
Committee heard during a meeting in February this year
was deeply troubling. Workers described the frequency and
severity of abuse they faced while carrying out their duties.
In a letter published today, the
Transport Committee is requesting:
- Information on work ongoing or planned to encourage workers
to report all incidents of work-related violence and aggression
- How TfL plans to address the cultural issues across the
organisation that may be normalising assaults on transport
workers and blames victims when incidents occur
- Options being considered to improve post incident support and
communication for victims of workplace violence
- How taxi and private hire drivers licensed by TfL could
opt-in to support from TfL's Workplace Violence and Aggression
Team
- What consideration it has given to how it could implement
stronger consequences (e.g. withdrawal of implied service) for
those who verbally or physically assault staff
The Committee has also written to the Home Secretary supporting
TfL and wider transport sector calls for a new specific offence
of assaults on transport workers.
Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, AM, said:
“Shockingly, the 10,500 reported incidents of assaults on
transport workers in 2023/24 may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Even more deeply concerning - the Transport Committee heard
evidence of a culture which normalises assaults on transport
workers and blames victims when incidents occur.
“The brave workers who told us their personal stories often had
not reported an assault to their employer, most commonly because
such incidents were seen as just “part of the job” followed by a
belief that the complaint would not be taken seriously.
“We also heard that there is a particular lack of support for TfL
contract workers, such as bus drivers, and taxi and private hire
drivers, who face unique challenges because they are
self-employed.
“It's imperative that TfL does not just pay lip service to this
problem. The organisational culture within TfL must change, and
communication and consistency of post incident support across
transport modes is now necessary.
“In addition, we are supporting calls for a new specific offence
of assaults on transport workers and have written to the Home
Secretary to stress the importance of that law change.
“Addressing these issues is a vital next step in providing a safe
and supportive workplace for London's transport workers.”
Notes for editors:
- TfL, New TfL campaign
launches to tackle violence against staff on London's transport
network, 19 August 2024
- Read the letters attached.
