MANHUNT AFTER STABBING IN FRONT OF TRAIN PASSENGERS

Police are continuing to hunt for an attacker who stabbed a man on a moving train in front of horrified passengers in south-east London.

The victim suffered life-threatening injuries as the train travelled between Shortlands and Beckenham towards London Victoria on Wednesday afternoon.

Police went to Denmark Hill station at 17:30 GMT on Wednesday after a possible sighting of the suspect.

Officers searched a train, but the man was not present.

No arrests have been made, British Transport Police (BTP) say.

The force said officers were aware of social media video footage showing the victim being attacked near the carriage doors of the train as it was travelling between the stations.

A force spokesperson said: "The search for the man is ongoing and detectives are urgently appealing for information on his whereabouts.

"There will be an enhanced police presence at stations in the area as officers continue to search for the man and provide reassurance to the public."

The victim was treated at Beckenham Junction Station by paramedics and remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries. His family has been informed.

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Gregory said: "This is an incredibly concerning incident, which took place in front of other passengers in broad daylight.

"We do not believe that there is any risk to the wider public. However, we are urging people to come forward with any information that may help us."

Warning: this story contains images that some might find distressing

The incident began when two men were seen fighting while entering a train at Shortlands station just before 16:00 GMT on Wednesday.

In the video of the incident, passengers in the carriage were heard gasping and shouting at the attacker, a man wearing a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a facemask, to stop.

A local school initiated its "lockdown procedure" on Wednesday afternoon, telling parents in an email it had brought all children at its after-school club inside as a precaution.

In a statement, BTP said the victim had sustained "serious injures consistent with being stabbed".

London Ambulance Service sent the air ambulance and the injured man was taken to a "major trauma centre", it said.

A Southeastern trains spokesperson said it would provide on-board CCTV footage to assist BTP with its inquiries.

"We also have an integrated safeguarding team, comprised of Southeastern, BTP and Network Rail colleagues, and we are already working together to find those responsible," it said.

BTP said detectives were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

It urged anyone with information on the incident to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

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2024-03-28T11:20:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd