CCTV appeal after sexual assault on train
Update: 23 September:Police investigating a sexual assault, which happened on a train between Taunton and Exeter on 15 July, have arrested a man in connection with the matter.
The 36-year-old from Bideford was arrested yesterday (23 September) on suspicion of sexual assault. He was later released on police bail pending further inquiries.
The man came forward following a media appeal to trace a person detectives wanted to speak to about the incident. Officers would like to thank all those who shared the appeal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
British Transport Police (BTP) detectives have released CCTV images of a man they want to trace after a woman was sexually assaulted on a train between Taunton to Exeter.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, 15 July, on board a London Paddington to Penzance train.
Detective Constable Dean Jeffery, investigating, said: “Whilst on board the train at Taunton, a woman in her 20s noticed a male sat opposite her. This male struck up a conversation with the lady, and shortly after the train left Tiverton station, the man moved seats to sit next to the woman and began to sexually assault her.
“The man left the train at Exeter St David’s station, at which point the victim reported the matter to the train guard, who informed British Transport Police. Despite a search of the local area, nobody matching the suspect’s description was found.”
Officers have been pursing several lines of enquiry, including studying CCTV footage from the train and a number of stations, leading to today’s release of stills of a man they want to speak to.
DC Jeffery added: “Who is the man in the CCTV images? That’s the question we need the public’s help to answer. If you know who he is, or have any further information, please get in touch with BTP or Crimestoppers, as soon as possible.
“This was understandably an incredibly distressing experience for the woman and something nobody should have to experience. We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and are working hard to catch the person responsible and bring them to justice through the courts.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference G/B7 of 22/09/15. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
BTP’s Report it to stop it campaign aims to further increase the reporting of unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network.
The high-profile online campaign aims to build on the success of Project Guardian, a long-term initiative to increase awareness and confidence amongst the public to report sexual offences. Particularly those offences which are often unreported, such as sexual touching, exposure, outraging public decency, lewd comments, leering and harassment.
Every day, plain clothes and uniformed BTP officers patrol the rail network to identify offenders and prevent crime. Victims of unwanted sexual behaviour can report it to BTP by text on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
Find out more and watch a video which asks you to decide when you would ‘report it to stop it’ – http://report-it.tumblr.com
