British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted on a train from West Croydon station during the afternoon rush hour. The incident occurred on May 6 at approximately 4:45 PM on a London Overground service on the Windrush line.
Details of the Assault
The victim was approached by a man who asked her for money before invading her personal space and attempting to kiss her. Another passenger intervened, forcing the perpetrator to move away through the carriage. Despite the intervention, the attacker has not yet been traced, nearly two weeks later.
Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, including the man who intervened or other passengers seated nearby, to come forward and assist the investigation. Currently, no CCTV footage of the suspect is available.
How to Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 288 of 6 May. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or the charity's website.
Broader Context of Sexual Crimes on Transport
A Freedom of Information request last year revealed nearly 4,000 reported sex crimes at train stations across London between 2022 and 2025. Separately, in 2025, there were 24,192 offences of all types recorded across TfL services, compared with a pre-pandemic average of 16,544 offences—a 46% increase, according to BTP.
TfL and police have been urged to address violence against women on public transport. A report published earlier this year by the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee argued that BTP and the Metropolitan Police have failed to understand the "true scale and nature of hate crime and violence against women and girls on public transport."
