Crime, violence and disorderly conduct on the Transperth network is surging, with public transport bosses blaming society’s worsening behaviour.

A total of 3814 “security incidents” were reported on the bus network in 2017-18, a massive 39 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s 2746.

The number of attacks that involved rocks or other projectiles being hurled at buses soared 91 per cent to 1354. On average, almost four buses were hit every day.

Eight of the bus network’s 14 security incident categories recorded increases. These included altercations (up 50 per cent to 679), anti-social behaviour (up 22pc cent to 482), dangerous behaviour (up 16pc to 333), assault (up 23pc to 216), drinking/sniffing (up 20pc to 137), ticket dispute (up 34pc to 199) and drug use (up 44pc to 13).

The Public Transport Authority said anti-social behaviour and violence was “a societal issue, not a public transport issue” and seemed to be “happening more frequently across the board”.

“Public transport is simply a microcosm of society as a whole, and it is naïve to expect that this will not be reflected on our system,” a spokeswoman said.

The PTA said incidence of serious offences in relation to patronage was “very low” and said Transperth had “invested heavily” to protect passengers and staff.

Security incidents on Transperth’s rail network rose 7.26pc and was 25.5pc above the annual target. Disorderly conduct on trains increased 21pc and was 69pc above target.

Transport Workers Union WA secretary Tim Dawson called on the WA Labor Government to deliver its election promise to install perspex screens to protect bus drivers.

He said more security guards and with stronger powers to detain offenders were needed.

“We have got drivers who are spat on every other day on some routes,” Mr Dawson said. “Two years into their term, the Government needs to deliver on its promise.

“Bus drivers should be protected from being spat on, having liquids thrown over them and from being verbally abused while they are just doing their job.”

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said perspex screens — also known as “spit guards” — were trialled for four weeks on 100 buses.

A survey of drivers found there were “mixed views” about the spit guards, with some concerned about reflections at night, she said.

As an alternative to the screens, Transperth has undertaken further driver safety protection training, passenger conflict -de-escalation training and upgraded onboard CCTV.

“Bus security distributions are also being reviewed, using better data to target hotspots to ensure swift security response to potential incidents,” Ms Saffioti said.

“As a State Government, we are concerned about any incident on the network and are regularly examining ways to reduce anti-social behaviour.”