A 24-year-old man from Sutton has been arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency following an alleged incident on a Northern line train last year.
The arrest was made on February 26 at Stratford station, as part of an ongoing British Transport Police (BTP) investigation into a reported indecent act that occurred on August 22, 2024. According to authorities, at around 11:40 p.m., a man allegedly sat opposite a woman on a northbound train between Balham and Old Street stations and began masturbating while staring directly at her.
Following the incident, the BTP released a CCTV image of a man they wished to speak with and issued a public appeal for information.
A BTP spokesperson stressed the importance of reporting such behaviour, stating: “All reports of sexual assault are taken seriously, and any information provided can help build a bigger picture.”
Investigators continue to gather evidence, and the arrested individual remains under investigation.
The BTP has reiterated its call for witnesses or anyone who may have experienced similar incidents to come forward. Such information, officers say, can be vital to their inquiries.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number 2400106476. Anonymous reports can also be submitted to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
