'Help me': Police appeal for victim of alleged sexual assault after Tube passengers intervene

British Transport Police later arrested a man at Hammersmith station after he was detained by passengers

Rose Troup Buchanan
Friday 13 February 2015 11:23 GMT
Hold tight: passengers on the London Underground
Hold tight: passengers on the London Underground

Police are appealing for the victim of an alleged sexual assault to come forward after Tube passengers witnessed a man appear to assault her when she seemingly told the carriage “help me”.

The victim, who boarded a Piccadilly tube between Northfields and Hammersmith on 31 January at around 11.30pm, was seen with the man who had placed his arms around her as if they were a couple.

The pair sat down and the man then appeared to place his hands underneath her clothing.

Their actions were noted by fellow passengers who challenged the man over his relationship with the woman.

A statement from British Transport Police (BTP) claims the man then reportedly placed his hands over her mouth, but not before passengers were reported to have understood her to say: “help me”.

The 24-year-old man was detained by travellers and arrested by BTP officers. He has been bailed for 25 February.

After the arrest the unidentified woman left Hammersmith station without leaving her details with officers.

PC Paul Franklin said: “I am really keen to trace the woman who was allegedly assaulted. If you were travelling on this train and witnessed this incident, please get in touch with BTP. Any information could prove vital to this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference TSUB/B10 of 12/02/15.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in