A young woman who was subjected to a prolonged sexual assault while travelling to work on a packed tube train has spoken of her ordeal.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attack on the 20-year-old from Romford, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

It happened after she boarded her regular westbound Central Line train at Liverpool Street at 8.30am on October 15.

“Where I was standing I couldn’t move,” she told the Recorder. “I was against the doors - blocked in.

“He was standing that close I couldn’t look up or move my head. When I did get a chance I realised he didn’t need to be that close.

“I could feel him touching me but thought he was doing it by accident, because why would someone do that? I was very confused.

“I looked at him as if to say ‘what are you doing?’ and he tried to put his hand on the inside of my coat down the back of my trousers.”

The train then stopped at Holborn, where the attacker left.

“I realised what had happened and burst into tears,” she said. “I rang my mum straight away at Oxford Circus.”

After reporting it, she did not go to work that day or the following two because she felt “uncomfortable” on the tube.

“I still do but I don’t have a choice, if I did I wouldn’t use it,” she explained.

“People have to be really aware of who’s around. I feel violated, it was really horrible.”

She is now calling for cameras to be installed on the busy Central Line trains.

Det Sgt Thanh Ly, leading the investigation, said: “This was an incredibly-distressing experience for the victim. I am determined to catch the man responsible.”

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 405 040, or text 61016, quoting reference TSUB/B19 of 22/10/2014.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Read more:

Man wanted after Romford woman sexually assaulted on morning tube