Harrumph harrumph, maybe if the Train Operating Companies employed a few more people on their trains, eg both a guard (brakesman, not security) AND a ticket inspector, the gripper might have a bit more backup.

It's not a great job at the best of times. These days made IMHO much worse by the machinations of the TOCs, who fine people e.g. for getting off a train early. Apparently because "the ticket is cheap (hah!) because you can only take one train between two unalterable destinations - didn't you read the 86 pages of terms and conditions on the Internet?" Then we all wonder why passengers, sorry customers, get a bit irate with the poor sod with the ticket punch!