Shocking footage of a 13-year-old boy being violently assaulted by an adult on a London Overground train has prompted a British Transport Police investigation, amid growing concerns about rising violence on the capital’s transport network.
The disturbing video, which has been circulating widely on social media in recent days, shows the teenager being slammed against the wall of a train travelling between Watford and London on Thursday, 24 July. The incident occurred as the train approached Carpenders Park station on the Lioness line, according to The Watford Observer.
In the sickening attack, which took place in broad daylight before passengers of all ages including young children, the assailant can be seen swinging the schoolboy from one side of the carriage to the other. The attacker is heard calling himself “a big man” as he violently hurls the boy around the carriage.
Adding to the distressing nature of the incident, a female voice can be heard laughing off-camera as the assault unfolds. Witnesses appeared too terrified to intervene as the helpless teenager was threatened, hit and thrown around the train carriage.
British Transport Police confirmed they are now investigating the incident. A spokesperson said: “Officers received a crime report from Hertfordshire Police after a 13-year-old boy was assaulted on a train at Watford High Street railway station at around 4pm on a date in late July. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The footage represents the latest in a series of disturbing incidents on rail and Tube networks, coming as Transport for London data reveals concerning trends in transport-related violence. According to recent statistics, work-related violence and aggression incidents increased by five per cent in 2023/24, with 10,493 reports compared to 9,989 in the previous year.
Tom Naughton, Chief Superintendent and Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Road and Transport Policing Command, said: “Anyone who is abusive, aggressive or violent towards staff on London’s transport network can expect to be arrested and prosecuted. The recent prosecutions that have resulted in prison sentences demonstrate the consequences of criminal behaviour towards TfL staff.”
British Transport Police data shows violent incidents on the London Underground rose by 75 per cent over two years, with 3,542 incidents recorded in the 12-month period up to 31 October 2023, compared to 2,029 in the previous period. Officials attribute some of this increase to returning passenger numbers following the pandemic and improved crime reporting.
Superintendent Dominique Ioannou from British Transport Police said: “No person on the rail network should ever be subjected to violence or abuse, especially rail staff who are simply doing their job. We encourage passengers who experience or witness any crime onboard a train or at a station to report it to us by texting 61016, calling 0800 40 50 40 or via the free Railway Guardian app.
The incident has raised questions about passenger safety on London’s transport network. Research shows three in ten Londoners are put off using public transport due to concerns about anti-social behaviour, whilst over a fifth are deterred by fear of crime while travelling.
Transport for London invests more than £170 million annually in the Metropolitan Police Service and British Transport Police, funding dedicated policing on London’s roads and transport networks. The organisation has also launched new campaigns to tackle violence against staff and passengers, including the deployment of body-worn cameras and increased enforcement activity.
The London Overground’s Lioness line, where the incident occurred, operates between Watford Junction and London Euston with a frequency of four trains per hour. Watford High Street station, located in the centre of Watford, serves as a key stop on this route.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the assault to contact British Transport Police. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing transport safety in the capital, particularly for vulnerable passengers including children and young people.
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