Staff of the Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB were victims of aggression 2,102 times in 2024. That’s about 200 fewer reports of aggression compared to the previous year, but it still equates to staff being victims of aggression an average of nearly six times a day.
The figures are down from 2023 and 2022 (1,900 cases), but that is not enough for N-VA MP Dorien Cuylaerts, who requested the figures from Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés). “We should not be blinded by averages,” she said. Aggression is never normal: not on the platform or train. Every case is one too many.”
Insults and threats
Most cases – 1,158 out of 2,102 – involved insults (713 cases) or threats (445). But 652 cases also involved minor violence, and 292 cases involved blows and injuries. Aggression caused worldwide disability in 312 cases last year, totaling more than 47,000 hours. So, per person, the average is 151 hours.
Train conductors and Securail staff are the primary victims of aggression. The former category received 1,092 reports last year, while Securail agents received 744 reports.
Bodycams
To stop aggression against railroad personnel, Cuylaerts advocates for more extensive use of body cams in stations and trains. The Mobility chapter of the new government’s coalition agreement mentions, among other things, bodycams for rail security personnel and train conductors who want them on the lines with the most incidents.
The ‘Master plan against Aggression’ at NMBS/SNCB also focuses on training and “monitoring of attacks via a digital file.”
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