SHOCKING footage has shown the terrifying moment that passengers were verbally abused by a group of men on a train.
Mary Mandefield says the three men were boarding her ThamesLink train at London Bridge Station yesterday when they were brushed past a man on an escalator.
This then led to the group becoming aggressive on the train, allegedly throwing punches and making “racist” remarks, with one even calling a passenger a “foreign c**t”.
BBC journalist Mary claims that the men were later escorted off the train by police at East Croydon, London.
Shocking footage shows a group of three men standing on the busy train as people stare at them in fear.
One aggressor can be seen yelling at a passenger: “Listen, this is England.”
Gasps can be heard from the train as the aggressor continues: “Not a f***ing foreign c**t like you.”
Men behind him can be seen trying to diffuse the situation as one tries to pull the aggressor back.
A man at the back of the train can be seen looking down in fear as the aggressive man is held back by another passenger.
The passenger attempts to say to the aggressor: “Listen, listen. Chill out.”
However, another yob then begins yelling: “It’s not about race.”
An onlooking passenger can then be heard commenting: “That’s embarrassing.”
Mary took to social media yesterday to share the shocking footage, writing: “On the Bedford to three bridges train and this group of guys starting on anyone (including a woman in her 70s), racist slurs, throwing punches.
“As soon as he sees me filming he threatens me. I get the train every day, easily the most horrendous journey and experience I’ve had.
“Police called and on their way. It was a Thames Link Rail UK train but there was a woman with a Southeastern jacket on who stepped in and was amazing, even though they then went for her.”
She added: “It was awful, just went on for ages.
“People can say racism isn’t a big thing anymore, but you wait until you’re being stared down by a racist shouting slurs at you (and every person of colour) when they have that ‘eyes glazed over’ look and you know they could knock you out if they wanted to.”
Mary later added an update to the post, claiming that ThamesLink had messaged her that they had removed the men from the train.
The full message read: “Thank you Mary, I have identified the service and I can confirm that these passengers were taken off the train at East Croydon.
“I hope you are okay, I am so sorry […]”
The post received over 2,000 likes and more than 170 comments from Brits left shocked by the disgusting behaviour of the men.
One person wrote: “Racists somehow gravitate towards women when they spew out their nonsense.”
Another said: “Here’s hoping his employer sees this. Hope everyone involved is alright.”
A third commented: “Ugh, this is awful and so intimidating in an enclosed train – so glad they were intercepted.”
Another added: “Well done Mary. Hope you are okay. These people are scumbags and need locking up.”
A spokesperson for British Transport Police today said: “Officers were called to East Croydon railway station via a text to 61016 at around 22.59pm yesterday, following reports of a fight on board a train from Luton to Three Bridges.
“Officers attended and those involved were identified and taken off the service.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 930 of 18/04/2024.”
Sam Facey, Govia Thameslink Railway’s Safety, Health and Security Director today said: “Behaviour like this is completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated.
“This was a horrible experience for those involved.
“We would like to thank railway staff who intervened and the British Transport Police officers who responded so promptly.
“We will continue to assist the BTP with their enquiries.”
