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Manhunt after stabbing in front of Beckenham train passengers

BBC Police officers stood behind a cordon at Beckenham Junction stationBBC
Emergency services attended the incident when the train had stopped at Beckenham Junction station

Police are continuing to hunt for an attacker who stabbed a man on a moving train in front of horrified passengers in south-east London.

The victim suffered life-threatening injuries as the train travelled between Shortlands and Beckenham towards London Victoria on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers later searched a train at Denmark Hill after a possible sighting of the suspect, but he was not present.

Detectives are "urgently appealing for information on his whereabouts".

No arrests have been made, but British Transport Police (BTP) said there would be "an enhanced police presence at stations in the area" on Thursday as officers continued "to search for the man and provide reassurance to the public".

The victim was treated at Beckenham Junction Station by paramedics and remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries. His family has been informed.

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Gregory, speaking on Thursday, said: "This is an incredibly concerning incident, which took place in front of other passengers in broad daylight.

"We do not believe that there is any risk to the wider public. However, we are urging people to come forward with any information that may help us."

Warning: this story contains images that some might find distressing

The incident began when two men were seen fighting while entering a train at Shortlands station just before 16:00 GMT on Wednesday.

In the video of the incident, passengers in the carriage were heard gasping and shouting at the attacker, a man wearing a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a facemask, to stop.

Unknown An image from a video on social media shows the attacker holding a blade (which has been blurred by the BBC)Unknown
An image from a video on social media shows the attacker holding a blade (which has been blurred by the BBC)

A local school initiated its "lockdown procedure" on Wednesday afternoon, telling parents in an email it had brought all children at its after-school club inside as a precaution.

In a statement, BTP said the victim had sustained "serious injures consistent with being stabbed".

Unknown An image from a video on social media shows the attacker bending down over the victim, as passengers gather at the other end of the carriageUnknown
An image from a video on social media shows the attacker bending down over the victim, as passengers gather at the other end of the carriage

London Ambulance Service sent the air ambulance and the injured man was taken to a "major trauma centre", it said.

A Southeastern trains spokesperson said it would provide on-board CCTV footage to assist BTP with its inquiries.

"We also have an integrated safeguarding team, comprised of Southeastern, BTP and Network Rail colleagues, and we are already working together to find those responsible," it said.

BTP said detectives were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

It urged anyone with information on the incident to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

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