Passengers are taking action after a woman traveling with her sister was sexually assaulted on a train in east London

A woman was sexually assaulted in front of her sister and other passengers while traveling on a London train on a Sunday afternoon.

After the sexual assault on February 11 at around 2:10 p.m., other passengers jumped in to save the woman.

Police released images on Thursday of a man they are pursuing after the incident.

The victim was traveling with her sister from Leyton to Gants Hill, east London, when a man crouched down next to her to talk to her, police said.

“He then sexually assaulted her before other passengers intervened to separate him from the victim,” a British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said.

“He continued to stare at the victim and attempted to approach him before exiting the train at Gants Hill station.”

BTP released photos of a man they believe “has information that could assist their investigation.”

The incident came after BTP Police Chief Lucy D’Orsi urged train passengers to “speak out against violence against women and girls”. Speaking to radio station LBC last month, she said: “Have you ever been one of those people who thought ‘is a bit uncomfortable’ in a carriage – ‘I’ll get out and get into the next carriage further down’?

“I say tell us about it. Don’t be the person who just changes position. I think we can solve this if we work together.”

Anyone who recognizes him or has further information is asked to contact BTP by SMS on 61016 or by telephone on 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number 410 of February 11.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.