Union leaders renew call for PPE for transport workers after ‘disgusting, frightening’ spitting incident

'Spitting at someone is always disgusting, but during the current coronavirus pandemic it’s also bloody dangerous'

Union leaders have condemned another spitting incident at a Tube station and refreshed calls for more personal protective equipment (PPE) to be given to transport workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), the incident took place on Thursday at Mile End underground station in east London.

The British Transport Police were called to the station at 11.26am following reports of a man behaving aggressively. He demanded they open the gate for him as he didn’t have a ticket for the barriers.

When staff asked him to step back in accordance with social distancing guidelines, he threatened them with violence, saying he “would break their noses”, said TSSA.

An older female customer who intervened was spat at by the man. Spit samples were taken from her face and arms, but it remains unclear if the assailant had coronavirus.

Lorraine Ward, TSSA official for London Underground, said: “We strongly condemn this disgusting and frightening incident.

“Spitting has always been considered an assault, but following the tragic story of Belly Mujinga and heightened fears over the highly contagious coronavirus, more must be done to prevent such horrendous acts of violence against transport workers and passengers.”

Belly Mujinga worked at London’s Victoria railway station and died two weeks after allegedly being spat at by a man who claimed he had coronavirus.

Her death was described as “tragic” by prime minister Boris Johnson, and sparked calls for railway workers to be given PPE as staff feared for their health and safety.

After the incident at Mile End, Ms Ward added: “We’re redoubling our call for protective visors to be made available to all frontline transport workers across the rail, tube and bus networks as they provide a greater degree of protection from such acts.”

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of TSSA, added: “Spitting at someone is always disgusting, but during the current coronavirus pandemic it’s also bloody dangerous. The BTP must prosecute anyone who spits at public transport workers and bosses must ensure our members are given whatever protective equipment they need.”

A spokesperson for the BTP said: “Officers quickly attended and conducted a full search of the local area, however the man was not found.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 127 of 21/05/2020.”

Siwan Hayward, director of compliance, policing and on-street services at Transport for London, said: “We are shocked to hear of this disgusting incident at Mile End station. Spitting is a vile form of assault at any time, leaving a lasting impact on victims.

“That anyone could consider spitting at someone else – especially during this national health emergency – is absolutely appalling.

“We condemn all forms of violence and abuse on our network. We’re working closely with the British Transport Police to identify the perpetrator as this incident is urgently investigated.”