British Transport Police has released a CCTV image of a man officers want to speak to after a family was attacked on a train in east London — an assault in which a man holding a baby was bitten and beaten.
The incident took place at around 5.30pm on Saturday, 5 September, on a service travelling between Maze Hill and Woolwich Arsenal.
The family were sitting together when a man confronted them. He quickly turned aggressive, launching himself at the man cradling the baby — biting him as well as hitting him. Other family members who tried to step in and stop the attack were assaulted as well.
The attacker then got off the train at Woolwich Arsenal station and fled before officers could get to the scene.
Detectives are now asking anyone who recognises the man pictured to come forward. Witnesses can text British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 581 of September 5. Information can also be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Fresh appeal after shocking train attack
The CCTV image was issued as part of a fresh public appeal, with officers keen to hear from anyone who was on the service that evening or who was at either station around the time of the attack.
The stretch of line between Maze Hill and Woolwich Arsenal runs through some of south-east London’s busiest commuter territory, and detectives will be hoping fellow passengers saw what happened — or captured part of it on their phones.
Growing concern over rail safety
The attack is the latest violent incident on the capital’s railways to prompt a public appeal for information. Earlier this year, figures revealed assaults on the Tube had jumped by 20%, with more than 5,500 incidents reported.
British Transport Police has repeatedly asked the public for help identifying suspects caught on station and train cameras. CCTV images were released after a serious assault at Liverpool Street station, while a separate appeal followed an attack in which a man was punched in the face at Hackney Downs station.
The spate of appeals has fuelled debate about how safe passengers feel on evening services, and about the visibility of officers and staff on trains and platforms after dark.
British Transport Police is the national force responsible for policing the railways across England, Scotland and Wales, and runs regular operations targeting violent crime on the network. Officers say intelligence from the public — including CCTV appeals like this one — plays a vital role in identifying offenders.
How to report a crime on the railway
If you witness a crime on a train or at a station, there are several ways to report it:
- Text 61016 – British Transport Police’s discreet text number. Save it in your phone so you can report an incident without having to make a call.
- Call 0800 40 50 40 – BTP’s non-emergency line, open around the clock.
- Dial 999 – if a crime is happening and someone is in immediate danger, always call the emergency services first.
- Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – pass on what you know anonymously. The charity never asks for your name and calls are not recorded.
Officers advise passengers to make a note of the time, the carriage number and a description of those involved where it is safe to do so — and never to put themselves at risk by intervening directly. Station help points can also connect passengers to staff in an emergency, while many operators let you report incidents through their own apps and customer service channels.
The investigation into the Woolwich attack is continuing. Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image, or who has any information at all, is urged to contact British Transport Police as soon as possible.
