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More women tell of assaults on Tubes and trains

Frankie McCamley
BBC News
BBC Sally, a woman with dark hair that is tied back, wearing gold hoop earrings and a dark jacket with red seams. She is sitting on a bench with grass and trees behind herBBC
Sally said she was on the Victoria line when a man shoved and hit her

A number of women have told the BBC they have been attacked by strangers on London's Tube and train network.

The new cases emerged after Sally Wynter shared her story - she was attacked in a Victoria line Tube carriage in central London on 27 March, and nobody answered the emergency calls she made from a help point on the platform.

Another woman, also called Sally, ed BBC London after she too was attacked on the Victoria line - this time, at Warren Street Station on 3 April, the day Ms Wynter's experience was published.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said public safety is its "number one priority".

Sally said she was attempting to board a Tube carriage at about 16:50 when a man obstructed her before shoving and hitting her.

"It was just so random, and it was so instant as well. I'm trying to kind of go through what made that person decide to aggress me."

The 50-year-old then described how the man acted "like nothing had happened and went back to reading his book."

She said no one intervened, but a man quietly asked if she was OK after the incident, and a female enger gave up her seat.

Google A file image showing a street view of the exterior of Warren Street Station, which is a round Art Deco-style building. People can be seen walking past in the distanceGoogle
Sally said she was assaulted at Warren Street Station on 3 April

When Sally got off the carriage and left Finsbury Park station, she spoke to a member of Transport for London (TfL) staff, who flagged down his manager and then ed BTP.

BTP said it is investigating a report of assault and inquiries are ongoing, adding officers are particularly interested in speaking to two witnesses - the woman who offered her seat to Sally, and the man she interacted with.

Alex, a woman with long dark hair wearing a white shirt, yellow headband and black-rimmed glasses. She is sitting on a grey sofa with a yellow wall behind her
"I just didn't understand why he attacked me," Alex said

Alex also ed BBC London to say she was struck across the face with a rolled-up magazine or newspaper on the platform at Herne Hill Station in south London one afternoon in June 2022.

The 37-year-old said a man struck her from the side, so she did not have a chance to defend herself.

"At first I asked people if I was bleeding. Then I just asking why he did it. I just didn't understand why he attacked me."

She eventually boarded the train she had been waiting for and when she did, other engers asked if she was OK. An off-duty BTP officer called British Transport Police.

Google A file image showing a street view of Herne Hill Station in south London, showing a Victorian-style building with tables and chairs and bikes in front of the buildingGoogle
Alex, who was assaulted at Herne Hill Station, said she felt more security measures could help prevent attacks

She said the attack has made her always looks over her shoulder when travelling, wondering: "When can we be safe? When can we just be us and not worry":[]}