The first NS enforcement officers were equipped with batons on Wednesday as part of a one-year trial. The measure is designed to evaluate whether the equipment enables staff to work more safely.
The trial begins at Rotterdam Centraal station. It will later expand to Den Haag Centraal, Zwolle and Den Bosch. NS said 75 of its 680 enforcement officers are taking part in the test.
State Secretary Annet Bertram (Infrastructure, CDA) described the move as “a necessary step, unfortunately, because the number of incidents of aggression against NS employees is rising”.
In addition, several NS conductors have been using body cameras since last month. The aim is for all 3,500 conductors to be equipped with a camera by the end of the year. The devices allow staff to record situations that may escalate or involve suspected illegal activity. The footage can be used as evidence.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
