British Transport Police have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to speak to after a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted at London’s Paddington railway station late on a Sunday evening.
The incident occurred just before 11pm on August 31 when the victim was sitting on a bench in the station concourse, according to investigating officers.
Police say a woman approached the teenager whilst he was seated before sitting down next to him and proceeding to sexually assault him. The victim then left the station following the alleged assault.
CCTV Appeal Released
British Transport Police released a CCTV image on Tuesday showing a woman wearing a pink jumper, white trousers and dark shoes whilst holding an orange suitcase and shopping bag.
Officers believe the woman in the image may have information which could help their investigation into the alleged sexual assault.
A BTP spokesperson said: “Anyone who recognises her is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 410 of 2 September.”
The force added: “You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Rising Sexual Offences on Railways
The incident comes amid concerning statistics about sexual offences on Britain’s railway network. The British Transport Police’s 2024 annual report shows there has been a 10% rise in recorded sexual offences against women on railways from the previous year, up from 2,246 to 2,475.
A survey of 2,000 people commissioned by British Transport Police last year found that over a third of women had been a victim of sexual harassment or sexual offending on their commute.
Despite these figures, experts believe many incidents go unreported. The survey findings don’t match the statistics in the annual report because many women do not report their experiences, with victims often feeling scared or embarrassed by what has happened to them.
London Transport Crime Crisis
The alleged assault at Paddington occurs against a backdrop of rising crime across London’s transport network. According to Transport for London data, crime rates on the Underground shot up by 13 per cent last year, with the total number of crimes committed between January and August 2024 reaching 16,288.
The Central Line and Northern Line were identified as the worst-affected routes, whilst King’s Cross was the most crime-ridden stop, followed by Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Stratford and Finsbury Park.
Paddington station, one of London’s major transport hubs, serves as a key interchange for National Rail services, the London Underground’s Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as the Elizabeth line.
National Crime Surge
Crime on the transport network hit a record high last year, with almost 80,000 offences recorded by the BTP in 2023/24. Violent crimes and sex offences have both soared to all-time highs, doubling in the last ten years with overall levels 55 per cent up on a decade earlier.
According to data, around 25 crimes are committed each day at the 10 worst-hit train stations in the UK.
Sexual offences at train stations may include various forms of harassment, including indecent exposure or cyberflashing, which experts say can have lasting psychological impacts on victims.
Police Response and Resources
BTP Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor emphasised the force’s commitment to tackling sexual offences: “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: “We are working tirelessly to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour. We have patrols of uniformed and specially trained plain clothes officers across the railway day and night to catch offenders and reassure passengers as they travel.
The force has access to over 150,000 cameras across the railway network, which can provide clear, high-quality images to aid investigations.
Specialist teams of plain clothes officers use crime data to target their patrols and identify offenders, with investigations supported by easy access to journey travel data and extensive CCTV coverage.
Peak Times for Offences
Contrary to popular belief, crime data shows that most sexual offending takes place during the evening rush hour period between 5pm and 7pm in busy train carriages.
This information helps police deploy resources more effectively during high-risk periods.
Encouraging Reporting
Detective Chief Inspector Mellor stressed the importance of reporting incidents: “We know that these crimes commonly go underreported, which is why we relentlessly campaign to encourage witnesses and victims to report these offences to us.”
She noted: “We view this increase 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 to us.”
The survey also revealed that whilst half (51%) of those who have been victims of sexual offending say other passengers tried to help them, only one in five (18%) people who have witnessed sexual harassment have reported it to police.
How to Report Incidents
British Transport Police urge anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or a sexual offence on the railway to report it immediately.
Reports can be made by:
- Texting 61016
- Calling 0800 40 50 40
- In an emergency, always dialling 999
- Contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
The force has also developed the Railway Guardian app, which allows passengers to report incidents discreetly and quickly whilst travelling.
Wider Context of Male Victims
Whilst the majority of reported sexual offences on public transport involve female victims, the Paddington incident highlights that males can also be targeted.
In a separate case earlier this year, a man boarded a train at West Worthing and sat opposite a teenage boy before sexually assaulting him, showing that young males are also vulnerable to such attacks.
Investigation Ongoing
The investigation into the Paddington station incident remains active, with officers working to identify and locate the woman shown in the CCTV images.
British Transport Police have not released further details about the nature of the alleged assault or the exact age of the victim, citing the ongoing investigation.
The force continues to appeal for anyone with information about the incident or who recognises the woman in the CCTV image to come forward immediately.
As sexual offences on Britain’s railways continue to rise, this latest incident underscores the urgent need for increased vigilance and reporting by both passengers and transport staff to help keep vulnerable travellers safe.
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