Police hunt witnesses to train perv (From Thurrock Gazette)

Police hunt witnesses to train perv

3:00pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News

PASSENGERS who saw a man touching teenagers indecently on a train have been urged to come forward.

British Transport Police are appealing for information about the incident, which occurred on a C2C train from Chafford Hundred to Southend on Saturday, September 22.

The victims, two teenage girls aged 14 and 15, were travelling on the train with a group of friends when they were approached by the man around 5.20pm.

He made inappropriate comments to the girls before touching them indecently, then sat next to another girl and spoke to her inappropriately.

The man, who is believed to have been travelling with a group of three to four other men, got off the train at Westcliff, and later boarded a train back towards Fenchurch Street.

An 18-year-old man from Tonbridge, Kent, has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail further enquiries, until Monday, October 8.

Det Con David Bishop, investigating the incident, said: “This was understandably was a very upsetting experience for the girls, as well as their friends who witnessed it.

“From our enquiries so far we know that this could have been witnessed by a number of passengers on the train.

“I also understand that some adults offered help to the girls at the time and I would urge anyone with information to contact us.

“We’re also following a line of enquiry that a group of men chased and threatened two 13-year-old boys following an altercation on the same day, with the boys leaving the train at Pitsea.

“If you are one of the boys, or you know who they are, then again, we would like to hear from you.”

Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number B8/LNA of 26/09/2012.