A 17-year-old teenager is accused of committing multiple sexual assaults on several women during a two-hour period while using public transportation.
Authorities are seeking potential witnesses to step forward following a series of incidents that took place on the public transport network in London last Friday evening. The first incident occurred at around 4:40 pm on September 5 when the teenager allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on a Bakerloo line train at Harlesden Underground station.
Subsequently, the suspect reportedly carried out additional sexual assaults on two more women on a Thameslink train and at the Blackfriars railway station platform shortly after the initial incident.
The alleged offenses continued with another assault on a woman aboard a Thameslink train headed towards St Pancras railway station around 6:40 pm, followed by a fifth assault at West Hampstead Thameslink station at approximately 7:00 pm.
British Transport Police have confirmed an arrest in connection with these incidents and are conducting further investigations. They are urging anyone who may have witnessed the events or could have been victims themselves to come forward.
In an official statement, the police stated, “Officers are investigating a series of connected sexual offenses and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The initial incident occurred at approximately 4:40 pm on Friday, September 5 on a Bakerloo line train at Harlesden Underground station, where a 17-year-old boy sexually assaulted a woman.
“Shortly after, he proceeded to sexually assault two more women on a Thameslink train and the platform at Blackfriars railway station. Subsequently, he assaulted another woman on a Thameslink train towards St Pancras railway station at around 6:40 pm and then another woman at West Hampstead Thameslink station at around 7:00 pm.
“An arrest has been made by the officers, and further investigations are ongoing. They are requesting anyone with information about these incidents or who may have been victims to come forward.
“Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact BTP on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 656 of 5 September. Information can also be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”