Police have launched an urgent appeal after a young girl was assaulted during the busy morning commute at a south London railway station.
Rush Hour Assault at Ticket Barriers
The incident occurred at around 8am on Wednesday, November 20, at Balham railway station. According to the British Transport Police (BTP), a woman lashed out and struck the child in the side of the head as they passed through the ticket barriers together.
The force of the blow caused the girl, who is believed to be of primary school age, to smash her head against a nearby wall. The attack happened amidst the crowds of the morning rush hour.
Witnesses Challenge Aggressive Suspect
Following the assault, two members of the public confronted the woman. BTP reports that she then became aggressive and threatening towards the witnesses.
Both the woman and the young girl left the scene shortly after the confrontation. Officers are now working to establish the child's current welfare and the full circumstances surrounding the alarming event.
Appeal for Information to Aid Investigation
In an effort to progress the investigation, the British Transport Police have released an image of a woman they are keen to identify and speak to. They believe the woman in the picture may hold vital information that could assist them.
The force is urging anyone who recognises the individual or who witnessed the incident at Balham station to come forward immediately. The primary concern remains the wellbeing of the child involved.
This shocking event has raised concerns about safety at transport hubs during peak times, as police continue their enquiries to locate the suspect.
