There were 1,500 attacks on DB staff in 2014 compared with 1,200 in the previous year.

“We don't accept violence in our trains and stations,” DB security head Gerd Neubeck said.

“Anyone who presents a danger to others will be banned from trains and stations, implemented as part of our security co-operation with the police.”

Around 70 percent of attacks on DB premises and trains affected security personnel, with 90 percent of those treated as crimes of causing bodily harm. DB said there were few serious injuries to staff.

Many of the violent attacks happened around large events, football matches and during the weekend, although DB said that “readiness to use violence in everyday situations like maintaining order and ticket checks has increased”.

DB partially attributed the increased number of security staff deployed to enforce the rules in stations and trains for the surge in attacks.