Dutch railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has begun training the first agents from its Veiligheid & Service (NS safety and intervention department) in the use of batons as part of a one-year pilot project.
The decision comes after the company obtained approval last year from the Ministry of Justice and Security to introduce this equipment for agents with special law enforcement powers (boa).
75 officers involved in the test
A total of 75 of the 680 security service employees will participate in the pilot phase, assigned to Rotterdam, The Hague, Zwolle, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
The first patrols equipped with batons are expected to enter service at the end of April.
NS wants to assess whether carrying and using batons contributes to increasing the effectiveness of interventions and improving the safety of staff and passengers.
Over 1,100 incidents of aggression
The measure comes amid increased pressure on railway staff. Last year, 1,132 incidents of aggression against NS employees were reported (compared to 1,095 the previous year).
While the number of cases involving injuries fell by 10%, security guards were involved in more incidents of physical and verbal assault (+11%).
Bodycams and investments in station safety
In addition to testing the baton, NS has announced that it will equip conductors with bodycams later this year.
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, together with infrastructure manager ProRail and rail operators, has launched an action plan to increase safety in stations, for which EUR 20 million has been allocated.
The company is also requesting that the powers of agents be expanded to include access to national registers for checking the identity of suspects without police intervention.
European trend towards increased security
NS’s decision is part of a broader European trend towards strengthening security measures in rail transport.
In Germany, Deutsche Bahn has announced the expansion of the use of body cameras (bodycams) for staff on trains and in stations, while in France the authorities have approved the testing of electroshock devices for public transport security agents.
The increase in incidents of aggression is prompting more and more operators to introduce additional equipment and expand the powers of intervention personnel in an effort to protect both employees and passengers.
Share on: 
