Police are appealing for witnesses after video circulated on social media appears to show a woman punching Londoners at random.
The clip circulated on social media app Snapchat shows a person punching a woman, as she sat using her phone on a busy Bakerloo Line carriage.
Other Tube passengers can be seen staring open-mouthed after the attack, which appears to be unprovoked.A second clip appears to show the same attacker smiling as she punched a member of staff stacking shelves at a supermarket.
The context of the videos is unclear, but it is thought the violent stunts were filmed and shared as ‘pranks’, intended to gain ‘clout’ online.
No arrests have been made in connection with the Bakerloo Line attack, British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed on Friday.
The force urged the victim or any witnesses to get in touch.
“A video has circulated online showing a person filming another individual punching commuters unprovoked on board a train,” said a spokesperson.
“If you witnessed the incident or if it happened to you, please contact us and our officers will be able to help.”
The Met police has also been approached by the Standard regarding the attack on the shop worker.
Footage circulated by some news outlets showed police officers arresting a woman at London Victoria Railway Station on Wednesday, but BTP confirmed this was not related to the filmed Bakerloo Line attack.
“A girl, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a sharp pointed article in a public place, and theft from a shop. A second girl, aged 15, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a sharp pointed article in a public place, threatening a person with a sharp pointed article in a public place, and affray,” said a BTP spokesperson regarding the unrelated arrests.
Anyone with information regarding the Bakerloo Line assault is asked to please contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 590 of 04/04/2024.
