TRAIN and subway staff are facing attacks nearly every week while at work, the Evening Times can reveal.

Figures obtained by this paper show staff on both train and subway staff have reported 255 incidents of abuse over the last five years, including sexual assault, threats, serious assault and racial abuse.

Between April and July this year, a male member of staff reported being sexually assaulted while at work, while another staff member reported being racially abused.

In the same period there have been 12 other incidents of abuse, including eight assaults, one incident of serious assault and three cases of public disorder against train staff.

As we reported in June, a conductor was rushed to hospital after an alleged double stabbing on board a train going from Largs to Glasgow.

In August last year, another employee needed medical help after he was allegedly punched in the face while in his train cab.

Figures between April 2010 and March 2014 show an average of around 48 incidents directed towards staff each year, with the largest number – 62 - recorded in 2012/13.

This included 34 counts of assault, eight reports of threatening and abusive behaviour, five reports of racial abuse and 15 reports of public disorder where train staff have been the victims.

The following year, the number of incidents dropped to 29, but rose again last year to 46.

Between April 2010 and March 2011, staff reported 56 attacks against them, including one female employee who reported being sexually assaulted, 14 complaints of breach of the peace where staff were victims, 37 assaults and 10 counts of public disorder against staff.

Sue Maxwell, BTP Chief Inspector said alcohol plays a large part in the abuse, along with conflicts which come up when passengers are caught fare-dodging.

She said: “The majority of crimes and offences relate to either revenue or alcohol.

“Along with Scotrail we introduced restrictions on when you can drink on trains.

“We make use of other byelaws, and use intelligence which tells us about problem routes, then put a dry train in place so people can’t get on with alcohol.

“It’s particularly for football, races, rugby...”

Ms Maxwell also added that British Transport Police have been working with train operators to emphasise the fact staff are there to help, not to be abused and that they take a zero-tolerance approach to violence or abuse towards staff.

She said: “Staff are there for revenue and customer service, they are there to assist the public. They’re doing their job, it’s not acceptable to abuse them if they are there to assist you.

“Our job is about prevention, deterrence, reassurance. We have identified if we put our cops at gate lines and at particular times at night, that works.”

A Scotrail spokesman said staff are given training on how to deal with difficult situations at work, and added: “Key to this is recognising when external support is required and we work closely with British Transport Police in this regard.

“Indeed, their officers deliver additional conflict resolution training to ScotRail staff.

“We do not tolerate abuse of any kind towards our customers or staff and work closely with our industry partners, including BTP, to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

SPT said they operate a "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to abuse towards their staff and vow to report every incident to police.

A spokesperson for the firm, which operates Glasgow's subway, said: “We believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work.

"We will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour on the Subway or any of our services and work closely with British Transport Police and Police Scotland to ensure both our staff and our customers feel safe while working and travelling on the system.”

Members of the public can contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or by texting 61016.