Less aggression towards train staff; beggars cause more nuisance

The number of reports about physical violence and aggression aimed at train personnel is down 23 percent, though reports on other types of incidents and disturbances increased, State Secretary Sharon Dijksma of Infrastructure wrote to parliament. Disturbances caused by beggars, musicians and vagrants increased significantly. These figures are the results of the first investigation into the effect of measures implemented on trains in March last year to increase safety on the rail. The number of reports of physical violence dropped 23 percent to 254 reports, compared to 331 in 2014. The researchers point out that dis does not necessarily mean that there was a decrease in aggression and violence - unions told the researchers that employees don't always report incidents because they feel it doesn't help much. In other categories, the number of reports increased. Reports on nuisance caused by vagrants, beggars and musicians increased 56 percent to nearly 2 thousand last year. Nuisance on stations increased by 18 percent. Reports of theft and pickpockets on stations increased by 19 percent and reports on vandalism are up 20 percent.