A middle aged woman was indecently assaulted on a train between Accrington and Blackpool North.
The incident happened on the evening of Friday, November 28 after the train had stopped at the Accrington station PC Adam Heslop, of the British Transport Police (BTP), said: “As the train left Accrington a man sat opposite the woman and began to touch her legs.
“She told him to stop, which he did, but as the train left Preston he touched her again and made suggestive comments to her.
“She tried to move away from the man – towards the centre of the train – but he followed her and touched her inappropriately.”
PC Heslop added: “The victim managed to lock herself in the toilet of the train, but the man waited for her to come out.
“Fortunately she was able to force her way past him and subsequently got off the train at Blackpool North where she informed BTP of the incident.”
Officers are now calling on anyone who could assist the investigation to come forward. PC Heslop added: “This was, without doubt, a frightening experience for the woman and I am now asking anyone with information about the incident to get in touch.
“Thankfully sexual assaults are rare on the rail network, but we cannot afford to be complacent and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”
Call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting log number PSUB/B2 of 4/12/14. A 45-year-old man from Wakefield was arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until Tuesday, December 23.
