Panic buttons for rail staff after mask abuse

A RAILWAY attraction has installed panic buttons following a backlash from antimaskers.

Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, in Shropshire, also introduced CCTV and walkietalkies after staff members were confronted by guests who refused to wear face coverings.

Strict mask policies were introduced at the attraction in order to protect passengers and elderly staff at the facility, who are classed as key workers.

Managers said the initial intervention of police had briefly calmed the issue, but claimed they had again been targeted by “activists and thugs”.

Dr Malvern Tipping, the chairman of the funicular railway, said lifetime bans could be issued for those who “paid no regard” to social distancing measures.

“Instead, they have pushed through roped- off areas and barged past passenger queues to confront staff,” he added.

“In the last week, the harassment of staff has been intensified with activists screaming abuse and posting photographs of them on social media with abusive l anguage peppered with expletives.”

Dr Tipping claimed that the disquiet relating to face masks on the railway was “being perpetrated by outsiders and non-passengers”, and followed an anti-mask protest t hat t ook place l ast week at the nearby Bridgnorth Town Hall.

Ch Insp Mark Reilly, of West Mercia Police, said any potential issues at the railway were “always discussed with the local sergeants”.

“At this ti me we have received no reports of violent or threatening behaviour at the premises or reports of anti- face mask protesters being at the site,” he added.