No action against Tube passengers in exposure case

Three passengers investigated by police after a man exposed himself on a Tube train will face no further action.

The Daily Telegraph reported that a group of passengers forced the man off a District line train at East Ham, east London, in August last year after he refused to pull up his trousers and swore at them.

British Transport Police (BTP) has defended its decision to interview the three, describing the man as an "extremely vulnerable person" who was having a mental health crisis.

The man was detained under the Mental Health Act and remains in hospital, BTP said. The three passengers were interviewed under caution on suspicion of affray.

BTP sent files of evidence to prosecutors to consider whether charges should be brought, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle said: "It is irresponsible to suggest that anybody has a duty to behave like this, particularly towards an extremely vulnerable person suffering significant mental health crisis."

He added: "While charges to CPS weren't successful in this case, it is right that a criminal investigation took place and we will not hesitate to pursue prosecution for those who choose to act in such a way in future."

A CPS spokesperson said: "After careful consideration of the available evidence in this case, we concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction. No further action will be taken."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk