British Transport Police release CCTV images as part of investigation into afternoon attack
Police are hunting for a man after a woman was sexually assaulted at Bank underground station in the City of London, following what officers describe as a targeted pursuit through the busy transport hub.
The attack occurred at approximately 4pm on Saturday, 14 June, when a man approached the victim and engaged her in conversation before following her through the station. British Transport Police said the assault took place as the woman went up the stairs.
Officers have now released CCTV images of a man they believe may have information crucial to their investigation, as they appeal for public assistance in identifying the suspect.
Just before 4pm on Saturday 14 June, a man approached a woman at the station and engaged her in conversation,” a British Transport Police spokesman said. He then proceeded to follow her through the station before sexually assaulting her as she went up the stairs.
The force is urging anyone who recognises the man in the images to come forward immediately. Detective teams are treating the incident as a priority investigation as part of ongoing efforts to combat sexual offences on the transport network.
Bank station, one of London’s busiest underground interchanges, serves multiple lines including the Central, Northern, Waterloo & City, and DLR lines. The station handles thousands of passengers daily, particularly during weekend shopping hours.
The assault adds to growing concerns about women’s safety on public transport, with Transport for London data showing that sexual harassment remains significantly under-reported. Industry experts estimate that up to 90 per cent of incidents go unreported to authorities.
Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could help their investigation,” the British Transport Police spokesman added, emphasising the importance of public cooperation in solving the case.
The incident occurred despite enhanced security measures at major London transport hubs, including extensive CCTV coverage and regular patrols by both uniformed and plain-clothes officers as part of Project Guardian, the multi-agency initiative to combat sexual offences.
Project Guardian, a joint operation between British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and Transport for London, was launched in 2013 following revelations that 15 per cent of women had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport.
Sarah White, a Detective Chief Inspector with British Transport Police, recently stated: “Unfortunately, incidents of sexual harassment are significantly under-reported as many people have come to accept this type of behaviour in public places. This needs to change.”
The force has implemented specialist training for all 2,000 London-based officers in handling sexual offence reports, working with women’s rights groups including the End Violence Against Women Coalition and Everyday Sexism Project.
Transport for London’s Director of Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security, Siwan Hayward, has emphasised the organisation’s commitment to tackling sexual harassment: “We are working with our transport policing partners to make sure our public transport networks are safe, and feel safe, for all our customers and staff.
Recent campaigns have focused on encouraging bystander intervention and creating a culture where sexual harassment is not tolerated. The ‘Report it to Stop it’ initiative has helped double reporting rates since 2013, though authorities acknowledge much work remains.
The Bank station incident follows other recent sexual assaults on the London transport network, including attacks at Farringdon and Knightsbridge stations in recent weeks. Police stress that each report helps build offender profiles and behaviour patterns.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “No one should be the victim of sexual harassment and alongside our partners in London, we are determined to take action against perpetrators.
Authorities have established multiple reporting channels to encourage victims and witnesses to come forward. The dedicated text service allows discrete reporting even while incidents are occurring, recognising that victims may feel unable to speak out loud in confined spaces.
“Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build an accurate picture of an offender,” a senior investigating officer explained. “Often it allows us to notice their behaviour patterns so we can take action.”
The British Transport Police is urging anyone with information about the Bank station assault to contact them immediately by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 460 of 14 June. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Officers stress that no report is too small or trivial and that all incidents will be taken seriously. In emergencies, people should always call 999 for immediate police response.
The investigation continues as detectives analyse CCTV footage and witness statements from the busy Saturday afternoon period when the assault occurred.
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