Woman falls asleep on train - only to wake up and find naked man sat next to her

Edinburgh Waverley

A female passenger who fell asleep on a train, woke up to find a naked man sitting next to her

PA
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 26/04/2023

- 15:10

Police are appealing for witnesses after the incident was caught on CCTV

A female passenger who fell asleep on a train, woke up to find a naked man sitting next to her as police launch an investigation to locate the suspect.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses following the incident which happened on a service between Polmont and Edinburgh Waverley on Thursday, April 20.


CCTV footage has been captured by police with the suspect described as a white male, aged between 65 and 70, at 5ft 6 inches tall with short grey hair and a stubbly beard.

He is also said to have a medium or slim build.

Woman on a train platform

Officers are appealing for any witnesses following the incident

PA

A statement from the British Transport Police said: "Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a public indecency incident on a train between Polmont and Edinburgh Waverley.

"On 20 April at 7.21am a woman was on the train when she fell asleep. When she woke up a man was sitting next to her naked."

The man later put on jogging bottoms and a black T-shirt before leaving the train at Edinburgh Waverley.

He was reportedly wearing black walking boots when he departed the train.

It comes after a report from Transport Scotland found one in three women had concerns for their safety when travelling on public transport.

According to the report, ten recommendations include a review of staff training on their own safety and how to support and protect passengers.

As well as the development of credible and accessible information and guidance on reporting incidents that do happen.

Recent figures from the British Transport Police showed there were 63 reports of sexual assaults on ScotRail trains recorded between 2017 and 2021.

A train at a platform in Edinburgh

Transport Scotland found one in three women had concerns for their safety when travelling on public transport

PA

Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: "This is simply not acceptable in 21st-century Scotland."

Anyone with information about the naked passenger is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016 – with reference 2300044058.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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