14-year-old girl sexually assaulted in front of family on Central Line of London Underground

A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in front of her family while travelling on a packed carriage on the London Underground. The girl got onto the train with her family at Holborn, on the Central Line, on Friday night when the suspect started looking at her.

He then touched her thigh before getting off the tube six stops later at Mile End. The man, who was travelling with another male, is also believed to have attempted to kiss and touch another woman.

The incident happened at around 10.20pm and police are calling for any witnesses to come forward. Police described the offender as white with short light brown hair and of a larger build. He was in his late 20s and was wearing a light blue polo shirt and jeans.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Andrew Parkinson said: "We would like to speak to anyone who saw this incident – or if you were the unknown woman who was also targeted by this man. We are committed to making sure that this kind of behaviour is stamped out on public transport.

"Incidents like this can make the victims feel threatened, scared and powerless and that is totally unacceptable." Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or text 61016 quoting 180 of 12/8.

The Central Line was named by IBTimes UK as the Underground line with the worst crime rate on the network. Figures obtained from Freedom of Information requests revealed there were 2,100 offences on Central Line Tube carriages in 2014. The Piccadilly Line had the second worst crime rate on the network with 1,924 incidents.