A half-naked man experiencing a mental health crisis was violently assaulted by fellow passengers aboard a London Underground train on Thursday afternoon, prompting a police investigation.

The incident, which occurred on a District line train near East Ham station at approximately 3.30pm, has sparked outrage after a video of the attack surfaced on social media.

Footage Shows Disturbing Assault

The video shows a man naked from the waist down, appearing visibly distressed and shouting profanities, holding his belt in hand as he paces the carriage. Another passenger can be heard yelling at him to “get off the f****** train.

The confrontation quickly escalates as a group of male passengers physically force the man into the train doors, before slapping, kicking, and punching him repeatedly.

Shortly after, a British Transport Police (BTP) officer arrives on the scene, arresting the man. In the video, he is seen being forcibly dragged from the carriage onto the platform floor, with the assistance of passengers.

Police Response

In a statement issued Friday morning, a BTP spokesperson confirmed the incident and said the man had since been detained under the Mental Health Act:

“Officers were called to reports of a man exposing himself on the District line at East Ham Underground station at around 3.30pm on Thursday, August 7.

The man had been assaulted by a number of other passengers and was initially arrested by an off-duty officer, before being detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital where he remains. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

The identity of the man has not been released, and it is unclear whether any of the individuals involved in the assault have been arrested.

Mental Health and Policing on Public Transport

The video has prompted renewed debate over how the transport system and police handle mental health-related incidents, particularly when such episodes occur in confined public spaces.

Several social media users have condemned the violence, calling it a failure in public empathy and mental health awareness. Others have raised questions about why no immediate safeguarding procedures were followed before the situation escalated to violence.

BTP is urging any witnesses or those with further footage of the incident to contact them directly.

Witness Appeal:
Contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting reference incident at East Ham – 07/08/2025.