Murdo has slammed a “disgraceful” list of assaults and anti-social behaviour carried out trains travelling between Perth and Edinburgh.
A lengthy list of crimes carried out on these trains supplied by ScotRail to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information, reveals that there were 334 anti-social behaviour/vandalism incidents between November 13, 2024, and November 13 this year. In addition, there were 31 assaults on ScotRail staff on a train; 55 incidents of verbal abuse at rail staff; and 44 incidents of assault on passengers during this period.
Some of these assaults led to 18 ScotRail staff having to take time off work following the incident.
In addition, there were 192 incidents of anti-social behaviour/vandalism at rail stations on the Perth to Edinburgh route during this timeframe.
ScotRail provided a breakdown of these incidents, which range from ‘on train disturbance’ to sexual assaults, and include a plethora of crimes such as racial abuse: sitting on a platform edge; throwing objects; spitting; carrying a weapon; theft; assault using a fire extinguisher; assaulting an employee using a laser pen and station disturbance.
Commenting, Murdo said: “These crimes show the extent of crime that is carried out on many trains travelling between Perth and Edinburgh, and I am very concerned at the high level of assaults and anti-social behaviour.
“Many of the crimes listed are utterly disgraceful. Rail passengers should not be dishing out racial abuse, nor should they be carrying a weapon or assaulting ScotRail staff who are just doing their job.
“It makes matters even worse to read that some ScotRail staff had to take time off their job following an assault – this is truly shocking.”
Murdo continued: “Going on a train should be an enjoyable experience, whether it is used for travelling to and from work or for leisure. Passengers and rail staff should not be subjected to crime.
“I know that British Transport Police urge rail staff to report assaults and abuse from passengers, but there needs to be a zero-tolerance towards this kind of behaviour.”
