A zero tolerance policy has prompted a drop in assaults on rail staff in south Essex.

A report from the Health and Safety Executive revealed a 22 per cent increase of attacks on staff this year across the UK.

A spokeswoman for First Great Eastern said the number of assaults on staff had dropped by 11 per cent during 2000-1. She said: "This is thanks to our zero tolerance attitude. Station posters say we will prosecute anyone who attacks a member of our staff."

A c2c spokesman said: "There were a total of 27 attacks on staff last year and there were 20 assaults reported in the earlier part of this year."

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001