Dry Somerset forecasts land as rail safety data shows rise in reported assaults

Weston Mercury said hazy sunny spells were expected through Thursday, September 24 and that it would stay dry for all [1]. Somerset County Gazette said Taunton was set for a weekend of dry weather, according to the Met Office [2].

The Office of Rail and Road said reported assaults against rail workers and passengers rose substantially in April 2025 to March 2026 compared with the previous year [3]. ORR said there were 11,289 reported workforce assaults on the mainline railway, up 12%, and 13,464 reported assaults against passengers and members of the public, up 36% [3]. It said the passenger/public figure was the highest recorded since the series began in 2004 [3].