A rail passenger who asked a man to stop smoking cannabis in a train carriage was threatened with a knife and punched in the face, police said today.
Officers released a CCTV image of the suspected assailant with a cigarette in his mouth on board the Crystal Palace to Dalston Junction train.
Police say the 20-year-old victim boarded the train at Crystal Palace just before noon on Friday, August 29 and was approached by a man who engaged him in conversation.
The victim saw that he was smoking cannabis and asked him to stop.
At that point, police say the man became threatening and produced a knife which had been hidden up his sleeve and pressed it against the victim’s face.
He demanded he take off his shoes and also hand over his laptop and mobile.
Detective Constable Denis Mahoney, of the British Transport Police, said the victim tried to walk away but the man punched him in the face before getting off the train at Sydenham.
He said : “Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any serious injuries, but this was a frightening assault which, given that the individual was carrying a knife, is particularly concerning.
“After reviewing CCTV from the train, I am issuing an image of a man who I think has valuable information about the incident.
“Do you recognise him? Please get in contact with BTP.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference SSUB/B4 of 21/10/2014 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
