Appeal after teen touched inappropriately on train

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for witnesses after a young girl was touched and spoken to inappropriately on a train towards Cheltenham Spa.

The offence took place on Monday, 4 May on the 2.17pm Cross Country service from Birmingham New Street to Plymouth, which arrived at Cheltenham at 3.15pm.

PC Ben Smith, investigating, said: “During the journey, the girl was sitting at a set of four seats with a table in coach B on the train.

“A man sat opposite her and started to speak to her before touching her on the leg.”

The offence was reported to BTP and a 43-year-old man from Devon has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He has been released on police bail until Thursday, 11 June.

PC Smith added: “I am hoping to speak to any other passengers who were in coach B, in particular a man in his 50s or early 60s who was sitting nearby.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference G/B7 of 19/05/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.