Police Seek Shirtless Man Following Piccadilly Line Assault
Passenger hurt after intervening to stop racist homophobic tirade
CCTV images of the person police would like to locate. Picture: BTP
March 27, 2026
A police appeal has been launched after a man hurled racist and homophobic abuse at a young woman on a Piccadilly line Tube service before getting into a fight with another passenger who stepped in to help her.
British Transport Police (BTP) is asking for the public’s help to identify a man following an assault that took place just after midnight on Thursday 26 February on a westbound Piccadilly line train travelling from Acton Town to Osterley.
Officers say a man on board the service became aggressive and directed racist and homophobic remarks at a young woman travelling alone. Another passenger intervened to support her, and a fight broke out between the two men. The bystander sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
The suspect left the train when it arrived at Osterley Underground station.
The images released of the person police wish to speak in connection with the incident show a shirtless man carrying what appears to be a Sports Direct bag. The temperatures were close to freezing at the time the attack occurred.
Detectives are urging anyone who recognises the man in the , or who witnessed the incident, to come forward.
You can contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016 and quoting reference 10 of 26 February.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The appeal forms part of ongoing efforts by British Transport Police to tackle hate crime and violence on London’s transport network, where officers say bystander intervention—while often brave—can place members of the public at risk.
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