Dutch railway company NS is to increase the number of conductors on trains and hire 100 extra security guards to patrol stations to tackle rising levels of aggression against staff.

The decision was made during negotiations with rail unions on Thursday evening, news agency ANP reports.

The NS already has two conductors in some night trains during the weekend. The company will now phase in two conductors on all night trains. There will also be two conductors on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening trains on busy routes carrying people home from a night out. Friday evenings will follow later, ANP reports.

The intention is to have all trains running after 22.00 hours staffed by two conductors by 2017.

Rising aggression

Aggression against NS staff has been rising for some time. Last month a female conductor was badly injured on a train near Hoofddorp, and last week a conductor and a passenger who came to his aid were beaten up by four youths.

Earlier this month, two men were jailed for attacking railway staff at Almelo station.

Last week, the FNV railway union called for conductors and drivers to be armed with batons and pepper spray. MPs said they would investigate the possibility.