Police have launched a manhunt for a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman on a District Line Tube train in west London, with the British Transport Police releasing an image of a person they wish to speak to in connection with the incident reported on New Year’s Eve.
British Transport Police are hunting a man following a sexual assault on a woman aboard a District Line Underground train between Earl’s Court and Fulham Broadway stations on 31 December 2025, with officers releasing a CCTV image of a suspect on 5 January 2026 as part of their ongoing investigation.
Details of the District Line Assault
The incident occurred at around 11:30pm on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, when a woman was travelling on a District Line service heading towards Ealing Broadway. According to the British Transport Police (BTP), the victim was sexually assaulted by an unknown man during the journey between Earl’s Court and Fulham Broadway stations in west London. The suspect alighted at Fulham Broadway, and the woman reported the matter to police shortly afterwards. BTP has appealed for witnesses and released an e-fit image and CCTV still of a white man in his 30s, approximately 6ft tall with a slim build, wearing a dark jacket, light shirt, dark trousers, and carrying a rucksack. The force stated that enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate the individual.
As reported by Metro for Perplexity News, the BTP said in a public appeal: “Officers are carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries to identify the man pictured.”
Police Response and Public Appeals
British Transport Police have prioritised the investigation, issuing the suspect image via social media and their official channels on Monday, 5 January 2026. The force urged anyone with information to contact them directly on 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number 274 of 31/12/25, or to text 61016 with the same reference. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. According to the Evening Standard, this follows a series of similar incidents on the London Underground network amid heightened concerns over passenger safety during the busy New Year’s period.
Witnesses Sought in Fulham Broadway Area
The BTP investigation has focused on CCTV footage from the train and Fulham Broadway station, where the suspect was last seen. The Evening Standard reported that detectives believe members of the public may have witnessed the assault or recognised the man from the circulated images. Metro.co.uk detailed that the victim received support from specialist officers, and no arrests have been made as of the latest updates. The force emphasised the importance of public assistance, noting the incident took place during peak evening travel times on one of London’s busiest Tube lines.
Implications for Tube Safety and Ongoing Investigation
The assault has prompted renewed calls from transport authorities for vigilance on the network, with Transport for London (TfL) cooperating fully with the BTP probe. According to Sky News, similar incidents on the District Line and other routes have seen increased patrols in recent months, though specific figures for 2025 were not immediately available in reports. The BTP confirmed that the investigation remains active, with officers reviewing additional evidence and following leads from public tips received since the image release. No further updates on suspect identification were provided by evening on 5 January.
British Transport Police continue their manhunt for the man pictured in connection with the sexual assault on the District Line between Earl’s Court and Fulham Broadway on 31 December 2025, with a public appeal ongoing for information to aid the investigation.
