London: Boy sexually assaulted at Leicester Square tube station

A 10-year-old boy was sexually assaulted in front of his mother in central London.

The schoolboy was walking up the stairs with his mother at Leicester Square railway station when a man fondled him before running away.

His horrified mother chased after the suspect through the busy train station, but she was unable to catch him, police said.

British Transport Police have now released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to about the incident, which took place around 4.30pm on February 16.

A statement from the force said: “Do you recognize this man?

“Officials investigating a sexual assault at Leicester Square tube station are releasing this image in context.

“Around 4.30pm on Thursday 16 February, a 10-year-old boy was walking up a flight of stairs at the train station with his family when a man sexually assaulted him and ran away.

“The victim’s mother chased the man through the station but did not catch him.

“Officials believe the man in the CCTV image may have information that could aid their investigation.

“If you recognize him or have any information, please contact BTP.”

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 474 dated 16 February, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, Visit our news page.