British Transport Police are to improve police presence on trains following several indecent exposures in South East London
Shortly after several instances of indecent exposure on trains in south-east London, the British Transport Police (BTP) have announced a plan to increase police presence on trains and stations at night.
As part of an operation to keep women safe on the railway network as well as providing reassurance, the force is going to introduce “highly visible and unpredictable” patrols around trains and train stations.
This comes shortly after an off-duty officer stepped in to help a young girl who was being flashed by a man on a train in south-east London.
An upset teenage girl came up to a detective inspector on a train coming into New Cross on November 29, telling him a man had exposed himself and was performing a sexual act in front of her.
The off-duty officer got the girl to point out the suspect and arrested him when he got off at New Cross. Officers from BTP were called and took the man into custody.
BTP Assistant Chief Constable Allan Gregory said of the new plan: “Everyone has the right to feel safe when travelling on the network and we are especially dedicated to making sure this is the case for women at night.
“I urge anyone who feels unsafe or wants to report an incident to approach our officers. We are here for you. Nothing is too small or too trivial and we will always take you seriously.”
Similarly, earlier this month police released the image of a man in connection with an incident where a man masturbated while filming a woman on a south-east London train in October.
The purpose of the increased police presence is to deter sexual offenders and provide reassurance to anyone travelling on night-time services. It began earlier in December and will be rolled out across the country in 2022.