RMT called for cuts to the British Transport Police (BTP) to be reversed in the wake of the mass stabbing on the railway last Saturday.

The union highlighted new figures that show that the number of full-time equivalent BTP officers has fallen to just over 0.8 per million passenger journeys, almost a third fewer than in 2009. 

This year alone, 522 BTP posts have been cut, RMT said, and around 1,000 officers are needed to return to historic policing levels. 

BTP data shows rising anti-social behaviour on the rail network, with violent offences up by 14 per cent. 

Last weekend, 11 people were injured during an attack on a LNER service from Doncaster to King’s Cross.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the stabbing “underlines why safety and security for rail workers and passengers must be the top priority.

“The Chancellor should use the Budget to make sure the funds are there to rebuild BTP strength and deliver the safe, secure rail network that our members and wider public deserves,” he said.