MINISTERS were told yesterday to deploy more train guards to tackle a massive rise in sexual assaults on Britain’s rail network.

Sexual assaults on trains have soared by 167 per cent since 2012, the Commons heard, with a record 2,472 cases last year alone.

Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, shadow transport minister Rachael Maskell pointed to a fall in train guards as a factor in the rise.

“Women are 13 times more affected than men and the highest increases are in areas where trains operate without guards.

“So what strategy is the government deploying to ensure all women feel and are safe?”

The damning statistics support rail union RMT's long-running fight against privatised rail companies and the government to keep the guard on the train, which has seen widespread strike action across the country.

The union’s general secretary Mick Cash said: “The case for guards on Britain’s rammed out and violent railways is now overwhelming.

“We welcome this important support for RMT’s ongoing campaign.

“It is criminally irresponsible for the government and a group of their private train operators to play fast and loose with safety, security and access in this cavalier fashion.”

In the last year, violent crime has also risen in the past year by 26 per cent to 11,711 while crime involving weapons went up by 46 per cent and robbery jumped by 53 per cent, according to British Transport Police (BTP) figures.

Transport Minister Jo Johnson said: “All passengers and all women must feel safe when travelling on our trains and the department takes this exceptionally seriously, as do all train operators and the British Transport Police.

“Guards and conductors have not been removed from trains as opposition members are suggesting, and it’s very frustrating that this line is being propagated in this misleading way.

“Driver-controlled operation means tasks like closing doors can now be performed by the train driver, freeing up more time for guards to look after passengers, including women.”

He said the Project Guardian initiative allows victims of sexual offences to report crimes through a discreet safe texting service, 61016, which has encouraged greater reporting.