ASSAULTS ON TRANSPORT WORKERS

That this House applauds the vital work of Britain's transport workers who, as essential public servants, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; believes there is a clear responsibility on the Government together with employers in the rail, ferry, taxi and bus industries to take all necessary steps to prevent assaults on staff and provide care for those who are assaulted; further believes that reducing assaults on staff will help reduce anti-social behaviour and provide a safer environment for transport users; and supports the aims of the campaign of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union to raise awareness with employers and the public to secure the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers against assault, to establish effective cross-company forums in each of the rail, bus, taxi and ferry industries, to persuade transport employers to adopt best practice when developing policies to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are victims of assault and to achieve other policy goals to improve the safety and security of passengers and workers such as adequate staffing of railway stations, ending lone working and ensuring that transport workers are directly employed and adequately trained.