King’s Cross Named Worst Tube Station for Staff Abuse, TfL Data Reveals

King’s Cross has been identified as the London Underground station with the highest number of staff abuse incidents, according to new figures obtained by workforce management firm WorkForce Software.

Between April 2020 and December 2021, 140 cases of abuse were reported against staff at the station.

Victoria station followed closely with 137 incidents, while Notting Hill Gate recorded 113 cases. Across all London tube stations, Transport for London (TfL) staff experienced an average of 245 abuses per month during the 18-month period.

The breakdown of these incidents shows that staff endured 161 verbal assaults, 58 threats, and 24 physical assaults monthly. Fare evasion and revenue disputes were identified as the most common triggers, accounting for 2,448 cases across the period.

Steve Tonks, senior vice president for EMEA at WorkForce Software, expressed concern over the findings:

“Sadly, abuse is a daily risk for many frontline workers. While TfL will increase fines for fare evasion by 25 per cent, this is unlikely to minimise the incidences of abuse towards staff that are linked to fare evasion and revenue disputes.With the UK currently facing ‘the most difficult economic year of our lifetime,’ now is the time for employers to invest in the safety of their frontline workers.”

TfL has been taking measures to tackle the problem. Mandy McGregor, head of transport policing and community safety, said:

“We have been working closely with our unions on a number of commitments to reduce risk to our frontline colleagues and customers, and we have sought regular feedback and input from them to shape our work-related violence strategy.We have also increased the size of the London Underground Revenue team to tackle fare evasion, which is often a trigger for violence and aggression towards staff. We work extremely closely with the police to prevent assaults on our network and ensure offenders are brought to justice.”

The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by TfL staff and underscores calls for continued investment in measures that protect frontline workers, particularly during times of economic strain and rising public frustration over transport costs.

While these figures are concerning, they represent only a fraction of the abuse faced by frontline transport workers nationwide. According to the 'Stamp It Out' campaign, which aims to eliminate abuse against public-facing workers, over 50% of roadworkers experience abuse on a weekly basis, with many incidents going unreported due to a lack of confidence in the reporting process.

Kevin Robinson, Programme Director of 'Stamp It Out', condemned the figures, stating:

“The abuse faced by TfL staff is part of a much larger, systemic issue affecting transport workers across the UK. Whether it's roadworkers, train conductors, or bus drivers, abuse has become an all-too-common part of the job. This is not just a TfL problem; it's a national crisis that demands an industry-wide response.”

Robinson advocates for a unified approach across the transport sector to tackle this issue, emphasizing the need for consistent reporting mechanisms, public awareness campaigns, and stronger legal protections for frontline workers. He added:

“We need a single, coordinated voice across the industry to demand change. It's time to make abuse of transport workers socially unacceptable and to hold perpetrators accountable.”

The 'Stamp It Out' campaign has been actively working with various stakeholders, including employers, unions, and government bodies, to implement measures such as conflict avoidance training, the use of body cameras, and the introduction of the 'Jarvis' app for real-time incident reporting. These initiatives aim to create a safer working environment for all transport staff and to foster a culture of respect and accountability within the industry.