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One in five London Underground workers have been assaulted by passengers and one in 10 have been sexually harassed, research has shown.

Tube staff have told of the abuse they receive as a union study revealed the scale of harassment on the network.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) data showed that one in five Tube workers have been physically assaulted by travellers.

The union said its study of more than 300 station-based workers revealed incidents include an attempt to push a member of staff onto the tracks.

A fare dodger brandishing a knife and passengers using racist language were other incidents detailed in its report, which was published on Tuesday.

Its study also found that one in 10 Tube workers have been sexually harassed.

One worker said: "Abuse is a constant and common occurrence working on the Underground."

Another told the union: "Ticket inspectors are regularly assaulted."

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "There is a growing tide of violence and abuse across the London transport network and RMT members are at the sharp end on a daily basis.

"It is time for the employers to end the warm words and take decisive action to protect both their workforce and the travelling public.

"That means more staff, making the objective zero tolerance a reality rather than just a slogan and ensuring that decisive action is taken against those responsible for verbal and physical assaults and that those cases are well publicised to deter others.

"RMT is in no doubt that the current environment has emboldened those with hatred and violence on their minds and the union is taking our case for genuine and meaningful action to turn the tide to the TFL summit today."

The union said it will raise its concerns at a summit on Tuesday to discuss workplace violence.

Nigel Holness, managing director of London Underground, said: "Everyone has the right to go about their day without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any form of physical or verbal assault on our staff or customers.

"We work closely with the police and their Workplace Violence Units to ensure that any assault on our staff is fully investigated and perpetrators brought to justice as quickly as possible.

"We are committed to working alongside our trade unions to ensure our staff can do their jobs in safety."