Train
staff are to carry DNA kits in an attempt to clamp down on spitting assaults.
From
today, Central Trains will be the first rail operator in England to issue
drivers and senior conductors with swab kits containing a pair of gloves, an
evidence bag and two sterile swabs to collect DNA from attacks for forensic
analysis.
The
British Transport Police (BTP) will then check the samples against a UK-wide
database.
The
number of assaults on Central Trains staff is rising by about 10 per cent a
year, with 38 attacks last year. In a third of attacks, staff were spat on.
The
kit has already proved a success in Scotland since its introduction in March.
Two people have been identified and are due to appear in court shortly.
Nick
Brown, managing director for Central Trains, said the company would not
tolerate assaults of any nature on its staff.
"Spitting
is disgusting behaviour and we are determined to support our frontline staff in
stamping it out on public transport once and for all," he said.
Last
year, there was a 34 per cent increase in the number of attacks on rail staff
across the network in England and Wales.
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