British Transport Police are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself and masturbated in front of passengers on a District Line train between Wimbledon and East Putney on Tuesday 14 April.
The incident happened during the evening rush hour, between 5.10pm and 5.25pm. Police issued a public appeal and released CCTV images on Thursday, three weeks after the incident took place. Anyone who was on that service and has not yet come forward is still in a position to help.
The man in the images has sandy or reddish-brown hair and a full beard. In one image he is wearing a dark navy padded jacket; in the other, a dark coat with light grey trousers and dark laced shoes.
If you see something like this happening on a train, BTP advise moving away from the offender without engaging and avoiding any visible reaction. If it is safe, a photo taken from a distance can help officers. The 61016 text number is monitored around the clock. If an incident is in progress, BTP can send officers to meet the train at the next station. Call 999 if the offender is still present.
Contact details
Anyone who recognises the man in the images is asked to text British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 451 of 14 April. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
BTP notes that people who commit this type of offence sometimes go on to commit more serious ones. Indecent exposure is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison. In most cases a conviction also results in registration on the Sex Offenders Register.
The scale of the problem on Britain’s railways is larger than most commuters realise. British Transport Police recorded 2,475 sexual offences against women on the network in 2024, double the rate of a decade ago, and the force believes the figures represent only a fraction of what actually occurs. A survey of 2,000 people commissioned by BTP found that over a third of women had experienced sexual harassment or offending on their commute. The government estimates that 83% of sexual violence goes unreported nationally.
