It comes as no surprise to me to learn there have been a record number of complaints about personal security on board trains.

The latest figures on passenger complaints published by the rail regulator says the increase is probably down to people complaining about others not wearing face coverings.

I bet it is.

I wrote in November about the success of the enforcement measures to ensure more people were obeying the law. It seems that’s not been tough enough and it’s not been widespread enough.

The Office of Rail and Road says: “Complaints about personal security on board the train accounted for 6.9% of all complaints closed (up 5.5pp from 2019-20 Q2 and the highest since the time series started in 2013- 14). This was likely due to complaints related to coronavirus (COVID-19), such as the use of face masks on board the train.”

It’s encouraging that people feel confident enough to speak up and complain when they see wrongdoing. I’m obviously not the only one whose journeys have been spoiled by the actions of those who refuse to wear a face mask on public transport.

To my mind, the only answer is to increase the presence of enforcement officers in station entrances, on the platforms and on the trains. There’s no point making the wearing of face coverings mandatory if people think they can flout the rules and get away with it.

The issuing of penalty notices will cement in people’s minds the link between crime and punishment.

Yes, fewer people are travelling by train and the vast majority of transport users are wearing coverings unless they are exempt. But the reckless behaviour of a few is making an already unpleasant situation even more uncomfortable.