More than 3,000 incidents of assault on railway staff were reported last year, averaging roughly eight attacks a day. The news outlet “Bild” relayed this figure through a speaking representative of Deutsche Bahn. According to the spokesperson, verbal and physical attacks occur repeatedly during ticket inspections, enforcement of property rights, and around public festivals, large events, and football matches.
When asked how these numbers compare to 2024, the representative said that the figures remain at a consistently high level. She added that about half of all incidents target regional train personnel, roughly one‑third involve security staff, and cleaning or station service staff also fall victim to assaults.
In response, the railway has begun deploying body‑cams. More employees will be equipped with the cameras on request. The initial experience has been positive; body‑cam footage can help deescalate conflicts, such as when an assailant’s presence is displayed on the screen.
A recent fatal attack on a train attendant in a regional express in Rhineland‑Palatinate shocked the nation. Railway and transport union chief Martin Burkert has demanded that politicians take decisive action. Speaking to the online portal T‑Online, Burkert called the incident a “clear turning point” and urged the Federal Ministry of Justice to reconsider a pending bill that would impose harsher penalties for attacks on police and rescue workers. He wants the law to cover railway employees as well, insisting that “attacks on railway staff must be punished as severely as those on police officers”.
Burkert also called for mandatory, widespread use of body‑cams and for better staff levels on trains. “If there is only one train attendant, security cannot be guaranteed” he said. He argued that the ticket‑inspection incident on Monday evening might have turned out differently if the employee had not been the sole person responsible for checking tickets. Burkert placed responsibility on the states, noting that they contract the required services through transport associations and local operators. “Deciding how many staff to deploy is primarily a cost issue” he added.
