British Transport Police are set to patrol Romford station for the next week after claims of repeated abuse to key workers who are permitted to jump the queue to get to work on time.
It follows a row between a nurse and a few unruly commuters this morning in which swear words were uttered against the woman whom they wanted to prove she was a nurse to avoid her being delayed by the morning queuing system at the station, particularly high between 6.30 and 7.am.
A nurse was subjected to abuse by commuters at Romford station who wanted her to justify preferential treatment that allowed her to jump the queue
She claims that she was verbally abused by people in the queue and says commuters have told NHS workers to prove they are going to work when not in uniform.
Since the end of March, NHS workers have been allowed to identify themselves in queues at the station and are allowed to go to the front of the queue when identified.
The initiative is being phased out in the next week due to increased passenger numbers following the easing of lockdown.
Some commuters have taken exception to it and become abusive to nurses and key workers they see jumping the queue, fearing they are abusing the system even when they are not.
British Transport Police Spokesperson said: ”we have been made aware of regular commotion at Romford station and will monitor it for the rest o the week until the special provisions at the station for Nhs key workers are phased out
The complaining Romford resident told The Eye Of Media.Com: “it’s unfair for people to be swearing at me, being called unpleasant names and stupid for not joining the queue. It’s not always the language but the aggression behind it.
“Nurses are not asking for special treatment, just to be able to get to work quickly and do our jobs. Some people seem to be insensitive to the rough times we have had over the last few months and having people abuse us is just unfair and at times very intimidating.”
The woman says the abuse has been happening in the past four weeks, and no action has been taken to address the problem.