Detectives have launched an appeal to find seven teenagers after they punched, kicked, and spat at passengers on an Elizabeth line train in London. The British Transport Police reported that the group assaulted several people on the service traveling towards Paddington station on the evening of Sunday, May 10.
The attacks began at approximately 7:30 pm, with one of the teenagers slapping a man, who was then threatened by the rest of the group. The teenagers subsequently moved through the carriages and assaulted three more individuals. One victim was elbowed in the face and spat upon, while another was punched and kicked by two boys and two girls. A further passenger was punched and spat at before the group left the train at Paddington.
Officers have released images of seven youngsters they believe may have information that could assist their investigation. This incident marks the latest example of violence on London's transport network, as Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan faces ongoing criticism over crime levels.
In a separate incident on March 20, another group of foul-mouthed teenagers sparked a brawl after a middle-aged passenger asked them to stop vaping. Video footage showed commuters trapped on the Elizabeth line carriage traveling through a tunnel before the fight spilled onto the platform at Stratford.
Crime on the London Underground network has been increasing under Sir Sadiq, with more incidents of violence, public disorder, and a significant rise in vandalism. Between July and December 2025, 12,951 offences were recorded on the Tube, a 2.7% increase from 12,606 in the same period in 2024. This included a 152% rise in criminal damage offences, from 947 to 2,390 incidents, amid an ongoing graffiti epidemic.
Across all Transport for London (TfL) services, 24,565 offences were recorded between July and December 2025, up from 24,508 in the same period in 2024. Other shocking incidents include a three-man knife fight at Colliers Wood station last December and a brawl at Highbury and Islington station last July, where a screaming toddler ended up on the floor.
In August last year, a man exposed himself in front of children on a busy eastbound District line train. Three passengers tackled the man, who had mental health issues, and threw him off the train at East Ham station.
Sir Sadiq has faced significant criticism over crime rates in what some have dubbed 'lawless London', with a huge surge in knife offences during his tenure. Analysis by the Policy Exchange think tank published in July last year showed knife crime had soared by 86% in London over a decade. However, in August, Sir Sadiq hailed figures from City Hall showing a fall in some serious offences, including knife crime, between April and June 2025.
Anyone who recognises the individuals in the images is asked to contact police by texting 61016, calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 561 of May 10, or providing information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
