A HUGE rise in attacks against rail workers coincided with significant cuts to British Transport Police (BTP) jobs, the RMT union said today.

Official figures showed the sharp year-on-year increase in assaults on rail workers over the summer months of 17 per cent.

Across the full reporting year to August, the rate of offences has increased by nearly 13 per cent, with 2,299 incidents recorded between June and August alone.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “BTP officers themselves have warned that their current level of deployment is unsustainable.

“The government must step in with a proper funding plan and must legislate for a standalone offence to deter attacks on public transport workers.

“If employers fail to act, our union will not hesitate to move towards a national ballot to ensure our members are protected at work.”

A member of rail staff was among those injured in a mass stabbing on a train on November 1.