Stats of Disgrace: Spike in Assaults on German Railway Workers - EVG Urges Enhanced Federal Police Protection
Intensified Attacks on Railway Staff - EVG Advocates for Increased Law Enforcement Security
Step into the world of the railways, where employees are increasingly becoming the target of physical and verbal attacks. The Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG), the railway union, is urging for an escalation of federal police protection on trains as a consequence of the growing incidents.
In the face of the alarming surge in assaults on railway staff, the EVG is advocating for a more robust presence of federal police officers in trains. Martin Burkert, chairman of the EVG, described the current situation as a "stats of disgrace," stating that the federal police must fulfill their responsibility and showcase their presence in long-distance train traffic [1].
Moreover, expediting the prosecution of attacks on railway personnel is crucial. For instance, the establishment of special units within public prosecutors' offices dedicated to these cases might assist in streamlining the justice process. Additionally, the union is backing the idea of a two-person crew in local transport, but they emphasize that the federal states must allocate more financial resources for this purpose [1].
Recent statistics reveal a dismal picture. Since 2022, offenses such as bodily injury, dangerous bodily injury, and threats against employees of Deutsche Bahn have escalated, with a reported 3,151 incidents in 2024 compared to 2,799 in 2022. The data for the first four months of 2025 shows 1,244 such incidents, which indicates a possible year-end total of 3,732 assaults [1].
Left party MP Dietmar Bartsch, who presented the request for these statistics, remarks that the nation is witnessing a continuous record of brutality against railway workers and police officers. Bartsch stresses that this behavior is unacceptable and a poor portrayal of our country's status [1].
An EVG survey conducted in 2024 sheds light on the safety perception of railway employees. The survey reveals that more than a third of the staff feel unsafe at work. The safety perception has significantly worsened for two-thirds of the employees over the past five years. Remarkably, eight out of ten respondents have experienced verbal or physical attacks, with two-thirds having experienced such attacks within the past twelve months [1].
References:- [1] ntv.de, toh/AFP (accessed on May 7, 2025)
Within the realm of science and workplace-wellness, the escalating assaults on German railway workers necessitate urgent attention. The statistics, which reveal an alarming spike in offenses since 2022, underscore the urgent need for action. The call for enhanced federal police protection, as advocated by the railway union, could potentially improve the health-and-wellness of railway employees. However, politics and general-news reporting suggest that this issue extends beyond the railways, as it indicates a broader problem of crime-and-justice in the community.
