British Transport Police have launched an appeal for information after a man allegedly exposed himself and masturbated on a London Underground train in front of fellow passengers.
The incident is reported to have taken place at around 5.10pm on Monday 20 April aboard a westbound District Line service. According to officers, the suspect left the train at Upney Underground station in Barking, east London, shortly after the alleged offence.
Detectives have now released a CCTV image of a man they wish to identify, in the hope that members of the public may be able to help piece together what happened. As reported by MyLondon, officers stress that the individual pictured may simply hold information relevant to the investigation.
In a public appeal, a spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “Detectives investigating reports of a man masturbating on board a westbound District Line train have released this image. At around 5.10pm on Monday 20 April, a man exposed himself and masturbated before leaving the service at Upney Underground station.”
The force is asking anyone who recognises the man, or who was travelling on the same service that afternoon, to come forward. Witnesses can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 773 of 20 April. Tips can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The appeal comes amid wider concerns about sexual offences on the capital’s transport network. Upney is a relatively quiet station on the eastern stretch of the District Line, sitting between Barking and Becontree, and is used by commuters travelling between east London and central London.
The latest case follows a string of similar appeals issued by British Transport Police in recent months. In one widely reported incident last year, officers released a separate image of a man said to have dropped his trousers and begun masturbating on a travellator at Bank Underground station in the City. Other appeals have related to alleged offences on the Central Line and on mainline services running into Paddington.
British Transport Police has long encouraged passengers to report unwanted sexual behaviour on trains and stations, including via its discreet 61016 text service, which is designed to allow victims and witnesses to raise concerns quickly and quietly while still on board.
Officers say public assistance remains crucial in identifying suspects in cases of this kind, where CCTV evidence often provides the strongest lead. The investigation into the Upney incident is continuing.
