NS workers facing more aggression, voilence; Incidents up 8%

NS employees reported 1,042 incidents of violence against them last year, 8 percent more than in 2022, the rail company confirmed to NOS. NS had to call the police for help over 13,000 times in 2023.

According to the rail company, the number of reported incidents is just the tip of the iceberg. Only incidents in the A category, which fall under criminal law, are reported. That includes threats, spitting, and physical violence. “Having a big mouth” doesn’t count in the figures, an NS spokesperson told NOS. But it is “unfortunately the order of the day.”

Last year was the third year in a row that violence increased against NS employees. In 2020, there were 661 reported incidents. People riding without a ticket are a big problem, NS said. The rail company also mentioned “asylum seeker problems, an increase in disturbed people, and a certain harshness in society.”

The rail company said that it is taking more measures against the violence.