Another conductor attacked; NS guards may get weapons

Another NS conductor was attacked on Saturday morning in the train from Utrecht to Amsterdam at Abcoude station. The Ministry of Security and Justice is considering arming NS guards with pepper spray and batons. Four, as of yet unidentified, young men assaulted the conductor on the platform after a struggle arose at around 05:45 a.m. A passenger who tried to intervene was also assaulted. The boys fled in the direction of Amsterdam along the tracks. The police launched a manhunt for the suspect, even deploying a helicopter, but they have not been found yet. The police are currently viewing camera footage and talking to witnesses. The Ministry of Security and Justice will now discuss arming the NS security guards with pepper spray and batons, as suggested by union FNV Spoor yesterday, NOS reports. The guards are currently only equipped with handcuffs. A spokesperson told the newspaper that the ministry is generally reluctant to equip special investigating officers with pepper spray and batons. "The violence monopoly in the Netherlands lies with the police and the army." According to RTL Nieuws, a majority in the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, wants to investigate the possibility of arming railway guards.