British Transport Police have issued a fresh appeal to the public, releasing CCTV images of two men sought in connection with a vicious New Year’s Day assault on an Elizabeth line service that left a passenger with serious injuries.
The force believes the individuals, described as white with short blond hair and both wearing a light-coloured shirt with a black hooded jacket, may hold crucial information about the attack which occurred at approximately 3:15am on January 1. According to the BTP, the victim was repeatedly punched and kicked in the head by two men while he was on the floor of a train travelling towards Shenfield.
Following the assault, the two perpetrators pushed the injured man off the train at Seven Kings station before continuing their journey. They subsequently disembarked at Shenfield station, the transport police confirmed.
The victim sustained significant bruising to his head and a fractured hand as a result of the violence. Nearly seven weeks after the incident, investigators have now made a public appeal for information, urging anyone who recognises the men in the images to come forward.
While not linked to this investigation, the appeal comes against a backdrop of other serious incidents at Seven Kings station, including a mass stabbing in January 2020 that resulted in three fatalities. The Elizabeth line network has also seen other, unrelated police appeals concerning sexual assaults, providing context for the broader security landscape on the route.
Anyone with information is asked to text the British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 149 of 1 January. Information can also be given anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
