A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape after a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a platform at Woolwich Arsenal railway station before being raped in a train toilet on Saturday morning.
British Transport Police said the teenager was on the platform towards Abbey Wood at around 6.05am on 19 July when she was sexually assaulted by a man, before they both boarded a train at 6.09am where she was subsequently raped in a carriage toilet.
The suspect left the train at Abbey Wood station whilst the victim continued alone to Slade Green railway station, where she reported the horrific ordeal to police.
Officers arrested a 30-year-old man on 24 July on suspicion of rape and took him into custody, though he was later released on bail pending further enquiries as the investigation continues.
Police Appeal for Witnesses
British Transport Police are urgently appealing for anyone who was at Woolwich Arsenal station on Saturday morning and may have seen the pair on the platform or aboard the train to contact them immediately.
In a statement, BTP said: “Officers investigating a sexual assault and rape in south east London are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
British Transport Police officers are investigating and are asking anyone who was at Woolwich Arsenal station and may have seen the pair on the platform, or the train, to contact police immediately.
The force urged witnesses to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 288 of 22 July. Information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Rising Sexual Offences on Rail Network
The incident comes as British Transport Police’s 2024 annual report revealed a 10 per cent rise in recorded sexual offences against women on railways, increasing from 2,246 to 2,475 cases year-on-year.
A survey of 2,000 people commissioned by BTP last year found over a third of women had been victims of sexual harassment or sexual offending on their commute by train or tube.
Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor said: “Tackling sexual offences is our top priority at British Transport Police, and we take every report of sexual harassment or violence extremely seriously.
She added that the increase in reports could be viewed as “a positive sign that our efforts are paying off, and that women and girls are feeling more confident to report all forms of sexual harassment and violence on the rail network.
Peak Times for Sexual Offences
Contrary to popular belief, BTP crime data shows most sexual offending takes place during the evening rush hour period between 5pm and 7pm in busy train carriages, rather than late at night on empty trains.
Specialist teams of plain-clothes officers use this data to target their patrols and identify offenders, with investigations supported by easy access to journey travel data and over 150,000 CCTV cameras on the railway network.
The force has deployed uniformed and specially trained plain-clothes officers across the railway day and night to catch offenders and reassure passengers as they travel.
Under-Reporting Remains Major Issue
Despite increased reporting, BTP acknowledges that sexual harassment on public transport remains significantly under-reported, making it difficult for law enforcement to intervene effectively.
The survey found that whilst 51 per cent of victims said other passengers tried to help them, only 18 per cent of people who witnessed sexual harassment reported it to police.
Many victims feel scared or believe their experience won’t be taken seriously, with 90 per cent of incidents going unreported according to a 2013 Transport for London survey that prompted the launch of Project Guardian.
Key Transport Links in South East London
Woolwich Arsenal station serves as a major interchange in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, connecting National Rail services with the Docklands Light Railway network.
The station, located on General Gordon Square, handles millions of passengers annually and provides crucial links to central London via Greenwich or Lewisham.
Abbey Wood station, where the suspect allegedly left the train, sits between Plumstead and Belvedere on the North Kent Line, approximately 11 miles from London Charing Cross.
Slade Green railway station, where the victim reported the incident, is located in the London Borough of Bexley and was built in 1900 to serve the community around Slade Green Depot.
Support for Victims
British Transport Police emphasised that reporting sexual harassment takes courage and assured victims that no incident is considered small or trivial.
“We will always take you seriously,” the force stated. Our officers are trained to deal with all sorts of cases. We are committed to making sure victims and survivors of sexual harassment receive a consistent and supportive service.
The force operates a 24/7 text monitoring service on 61016, allowing passengers to discreetly report incidents whilst on trains, with officers able to meet services at the next station when needed.
Victims don’t need to provide their name or identifying details when texting for help, and adult victims aren’t required to tell anyone else about their report unless they choose to do so.
Crime Statistics Show Concerning Trend
Crime on the transport network hit a record high last year, with almost 80,000 offences recorded by BTP in 2023/24, according to data obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice.
Violent crimes and sex offences have both soared to all-time highs, doubling in the last ten years with overall levels up 55 per cent on a decade earlier.
The RMT union described the statistics as “utterly shocking”, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures across the rail network.
Since 2022, there have been nearly 150 reported sex crimes at train stations across Essex alone, whilst South Wales stations recorded over 100 incidents in the same period.
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