Police Release CCTV After Rail Staff Attacked with Chemical at Blackfriars

Detectives have released CCTV images after a member of rail staff was attacked with a chemical substance at Blackfriars station.

The incident occurred at around 6pm on 17 May 2025, when four men got off a train from Sevenoaks and forced their way through the station barriers. One of the men was stopped by staff while the others ran off, and the man became abusive to the victim and colleagues.

The three men then returned to the ticket barriers, where one pulled a Lucozade Sport bottle from his jacket and squirted a clear liquid onto the victim’s face. The victim experienced immediate pain and loss of vision before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for chemical burns on his face and in his eyes. He now requires eye surgery for long-term injuries.

BTP Detective Constable Victoria Callaghan said: “This was a horrific attack that has left the victim requiring eye surgery for his long-term injuries. An investigation into the serious assault was launched immediately and we have been exploring all lines of enquiry over several months. As a result, we have recently obtained clearer CCTV footage of a man we believe can assist our investigation. If you know who he is, please contact us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 529 of 17 May 2025.”

Anyone with information can also pass it anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. Police are urging anyone who may recognise the man captured in CCTV images to come forward to help with the ongoing investigation.

Image: British Transport Police