Union leaders have condemned a “disgusting and frightening” spitting incident at a Tube station.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said a man approached staff at the Mile End London Underground station on Thursday, and demanded they open the gate as he did not have a ticket for the barriers.
Staff asked him to step back so they could safely social distance, but he became aggressive and swore at an older female customer who intervened, and spat at her, said the union.
British Transport Police (BTP) were called and spit samples were taken from female customer’s face and arms, and it is not clear whether the assailant had coronavirus, said the TSSA.
The incident follows the tragic death of ticket office worker Belly Mujinga from coronavirus following an incident at London Victoria station.
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.
“Our union is pleased the BTP were on the scene straight away at Mile End and we hope that a prosecution can be secured.
“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.”
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes added: “Spitting at someone is always disgusting, but during the current coronavirus pandemic it’s also dangerous.”
