From the
BTP▸ press release:
APPEAL LAUNCHED AFTER WOMEN SUBJECTED TO INAPPROPRIATE AND LEWD COMMENTS ON BOARD TRAINS - BRISTOL / BATH / SWINDON
British Transport Police officers are appealing for information after three women were subjected to lewd and inappropriate comments on trains in the Bristol and Bath areas.
PC Linda Carey-Harris, the investigating officer, said the incidents happened on three separate trains between 6pm and 9pm on Monday 21 February. ^On each occasion, a man sat immediately behind or opposite female victims and began muttering to himself before making lewd and inappropriate comments, some of which were of a sexually explicit nature.
^The first incident took place on 1730hrs London Paddington to Taunton service. The victim, a 61-year-old woman, told police she boarded the service at around 6.10pm and a man sat behind her and began making inappropriate comments as the train travelled between Didcot, Swindon and Bath.
^Next, a 33-year-old woman boarded the 2030hrs Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington service. A man sat next to her and began making comments of a sexually explicit nature to her before he left the train at Bath Spa railway station around 12 minutes later.
^The third incident took place on the 1930hrs London Paddington to Weston-super-Mare service. A woman travelling with her two children, aged 10 and 13, informed officers that a man sat behind her after the train had left Bath Spa at around 9pm and began making comments which caused her concern. She said the man began mumbling to himself before the comments turned lewd and sexual.^
All three victims, although unharmed, were left very shaken by the incidents, which appear to have been made by the same man travelling back and forth on trains on February 21.
PC Carey-Harris added: ^The behaviour of the man responsible for these incidents was completely unacceptable and has no place on the railway. We believe other passengers on these trains may have witnessed what happened and I would appeal for anyone with information which can assist us to come forward.
^Enquiries are ongoing and after viewing CCTV▸ images, we would also now like to identify and speak to the man in this photograph as we believe he will have information which can assist our investigation. I would urge anyone who recognises this man, or who knows his whereabouts, to contact BTP straight away.^
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident reference B4/WWA of 16/03/2011.
Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 - no^one will know who you are, and you will not have to go to court.
Edit note: Images now removed due to expiry of copyright permission. CfN
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