Dutch Railways (NS) is planning to equip about 700 staff with stab-proof vests to protect them from attack.

Personnel from the Service and Safety department will be in line to be issued with the protective clothing. They offer information on station concourses and are expected to deal with violent incidents.

NS says the move has not been prompted by any specific incidents, although some Service and Safety staff requested the vests. NS has no plans to issue train drivers or guards with stab-proof vests.

The VVMC trade union for train personnel has welcomed the move, saying it’s a shame the vests are necessary but that experience shows they are. The union also thinks guards should also be issued with stab-proof vests as they often are the first to be confronted with violence.

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