Vigilante passengers who intervened after a man exposed himself on a London Underground train in front of children could themselves face arrest, according to reports. Footage shared online shows the man lowering his trousers on a Hammersmith and City line service at around 3.30pm on Thursday. When challenged by fellow commuters on the eastbound train at Upton Park station, an altercation ensued.
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Several men stepped in after he repeatedly refused to pull up his trousers and began shouting profanities. British Transport Police believe the suspect, who was later detained under the Mental Health Act, was assaulted during the incident. Detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward, though no arrests have been made in relation to the fight.
A police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of a man exposing himself on the District line at East Ham Underground station. The man had been assaulted by a number of other passengers and was initially arrested by an off-duty officer, before being detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital.”
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Witnesses reported that the man continued to shout and wave his belt before more passengers intervened to restrain him. A fight then broke out, with the group punching and kicking him to the floor of the carriage. He was later seen with his hands forced behind his back before being removed from the train by several men. A photograph taken shortly afterwards shows the suspect pinned to the ground on the platform at East Ham station, where passengers held him until help arrived.
