British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after two sleeping women were sexually assaulted on a Northern line Tube train.
The two friends – both aged 24 – were assaulted onboard an early morning service on Saturday, 15 August.
Detectives have today released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to and are appealing for the public’s assistance in identifying him.
Detective Constable Andy Parkinson, of BTP’s sexual offences unit, said: “At approximately 6.45am, two women boarded a northbound Northern line train at Camden Town station. They sat next to one another and, shortly after the train departed, both fell asleep.
“A short time later, a man approached one of the women and sexually assaulted her as she slept; only stopping when her friend woke and intervened. At this point, he touched the second woman inappropriately before getting off the train at Finchley Central.”
The victims, from Barnet, north London, and Braintree, Essex, immediately reported the matter to the police.
Officers have been pursuing several lines of enquiry, including reviewing CCTV footage from a number of trains and stations, leading to today’s release of images of a man they want to trace.
DC Parkinson added: “We need to speak to the man pictured as a matter of urgency, as we believe he will be of great assistance to the investigation. He may live or have connections in East Finchley. If you recognise him, or have any further information, please get in touch with BTP or Crimestoppers.
“This was understandably an incredibly frightening experience for the two women and something nobody should have to experience. I would like to assure the public we are doing all we can to catch the person responsible and bring them to justice through the courts.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference T/B3 of 02/09/15. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
BTP recently jointly launched the Report it to stop it campaign with Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police, which aims to further increase the reporting of unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport in the capital.
The high-profile online campaign aims to build on the success of Project Guardian, a long-term initiative to increase awareness and confidence amongst the public to report sexual offences. Particularly those offences which are often unreported, such as sexual touching, exposure, outraging public decency, lewd comments, leering and harassment.
Every day, plain clothes and uniformed BTP officers patrol the transport network to identify offenders and prevent crime. Victims of unwanted sexual behaviour can report it to BTP by text on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
