A GROUND-breaking initiative to use DNA to catch passengers who spit at rail staff is being pioneered in Worcestershire.

Central Trains has joined forces with British Transport Police to stamp out the attacks, which reports show make up a third of all assaults on staff.

The firm, which runs Worcester's Foregate Street and Shrub Hill stations, is sending out more than 1,000 swab kits to rail staff, including drivers and senior conductors.

Over the past year there have been 12 incidents of staff being spat at - three at Foregate Street.

The company, which also manages stations in Malvern, Ledbury, Droitwich, Colwall and Bromsgrove, has spent £1,000 on the kits, which contain gloves, an evidence bag and two sterile swabs.

One swab will be used to take a sample and the other will be used for reference.

Both swabs will be placed in the evidence bag by the member of staff and signed by the victim and any witnesses.

They will be sent to the British Transport Police for forensic analysis, and checked against the UK-wide database.

"We believe it's going to be an effective tool in prosecuting people who assault our staff in this way," said Russell Price, Central Trains' station manager.

"Whereas before staff just wiped the spit off and got on with their job, we will now be able to build up pretty conclusive evidence that will lead to prosecutions."

The kit has already proved successful in Scotland, where two people have been identified and are due to appear in court.

"Spitting is disgusting behaviour and we're determined to support our front line staff in helping to stamp it out," said Nick Brown, Central Trains' managing director.

The scheme follows a £20,000 investment by Central Trains on safety initiatives, including courses for staff in avoiding conflict and personal safety skills.

Senior conductors have also been issued with mobile phones for their personal safety.