British Transport Police have launched an urgent investigation after a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted at the ticket barriers of London’s Euston station. The shocking attack occurred when a man who had been refused entry to board a train allegedly assaulted the victim as she queued to access platform 7.
The incident took place at 3:05 PM on Tuesday, 1 July, as the woman waited to enter the platform area. According to police, the alleged attacker had just been turned away by station staff at the barrier when he sexually assaulted the victim while moving in the opposite direction.
British Transport Police have now released CCTV images of a man they believe could have vital information to assist their investigation. Officers are urging anyone who recognises the individual to contact them immediately as they work to identify the perpetrator.
Rising Sexual Offences on Rail Network
The assault at one of London’s busiest transport hubs comes amid troubling statistics showing a 10% rise in recorded sexual offences against women on Britain’s railways. The British Transport Police’s 2024 annual report revealed that sexual offences increased from 2,246 to 2,475 cases in the past year alone.
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “At around 3.05pm on Tuesday 1 July, a woman in her 20s was queuing to enter platform 7. A man, who had been refused entry at the barrier, sexually assaulted the woman as he went in the opposite direction.
The force is treating the incident with the utmost seriousness as part of their ongoing commitment to tackle sexual harassment and assault on the transport network. Officers have emphasised that any form of sexual harassment on railways is completely unacceptable.
Underreported Crime Epidemic
Despite the rise in recorded incidents, experts believe the true scale of sexual offences on public transport remains significantly underreported. A survey of 2,000 commuters commissioned by British Transport Police last year found that over a third of women had experienced sexual harassment or offending during their journey.
Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor stated: “Tackling sexual offences is our top priority at British Transport Police, and we take every report of sexual harassment or violence extremely seriously. 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.
The disparity between survey results and official statistics highlights a persistent problem – many women do not report their experiences due to fear, embarrassment, or concerns their complaints won’t be taken seriously. This reluctance to come forward allows perpetrators to continue their behaviour unchallenged.
Enhanced Security Measures at Major Stations
Euston station, which serves as a major gateway to the north of England and Scotland, has been identified as a high-crime location within the transport network. The area around the station experiences approximately 476 crimes per thousand population annually, rated as 8 out of 10 for crime levels compared to other areas in England and Wales.
British Transport Police maintain a dedicated presence at Euston, with officers based at 2 Melton Street. The force utilises over 150,000 CCTV cameras across the rail network to identify suspects and gather evidence. Specialist teams of plain-clothes officers also patrol major stations to detect and prevent sexual offences.
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,” DCI Mellor explained. “Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build a picture of an offender.”
Call for Public Assistance
The investigation into the Euston assault remains active, with officers working to identify the suspect through CCTV analysis and witness appeals. The British Transport Police emphasised that public cooperation is crucial in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images is urged to text BTP via 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 692 of 1 July. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The force’s Railway Guardian app provides another avenue for reporting, allowing passengers to discreetly alert police to incidents in real-time. The app can trigger immediate response, with officers able to meet trains at the next station when necessary.
Industry Response to Sexual Harassment
The rail industry has launched nationwide campaigns to combat sexual harassment, working in partnership with British Transport Police and charity Crimestoppers. Research shows that 84% of women and 60% of men in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime.
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Experiences of sexual harassment are sadly a reality for many women, but as an industry our message is clear – any form of sexual harassment on the rail network is completely unacceptable and we are working with the British Transport Police to confront this problem.
The industry has implemented a “Speak Up, Interrupt” campaign encouraging passengers to report incidents and safely intervene when witnessing harassment. Posters at stations and on trains aim to educate the public about what constitutes sexual harassment, including non-physical behaviours like leering, following, or making inappropriate comments.
Support for Victims
Victims of sexual assault on public transport often experience lasting psychological impacts. Research from the University of Portsmouth indicates that many women change their travel patterns or avoid certain routes after experiencing harassment, with some victims still affected by incidents decades later.
British Transport Police have assured victims that they will be believed and taken seriously when reporting incidents. The force offers flexible reporting options, including the ability to make statements in comfortable locations rather than police stations, and victims can bring support persons if desired.
Support services are available through organisations like Rape Crisis, which provides specialist help for victims of sexual violence. The British Transport Police also participate in academic research aimed at improving police responses to sexual violence reports.
Wider Transport Safety Concerns
The RMT union has described current statistics as “utterly shocking,” highlighting unacceptable levels of violence faced by both passengers and transport workers. The union believes increased staffing is essential to creating a safer railway environment.
Crime on the transport network reached record highs last year, with almost 80,000 offences recorded by British Transport Police in 2023/24. Sexual offences have doubled over the past decade, while violent crimes have also soared to all-time highs.
The concentration of incidents at major transport hubs like Euston underscores the need for continued vigilance and enhanced security measures. With millions of journeys made daily across London’s transport network, authorities face ongoing challenges in preventing opportunistic crimes while maintaining smooth passenger flow.
As the investigation into the Euston assault continues, British Transport Police remain committed to their zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and assault. The force encourages anyone with information about this incident or any other sexual offences on the transport network to come forward, emphasising that every report helps build intelligence to prevent future crimes.
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