Teenager arrested after tourist's hair set on fire on train
A youth from Swanley, Kent, has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a Swedish teacher's hair as she travelled on a train from Hastings to Charing Cross
20 August 2009
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after a tourist’s hair was set on fire on a train into London.
The Swedish woman, a teacher on a school trip, was on a Southern Trains service from Hastings to Charing Cross when one of a gang of youths set her hair alight with a lighter.
She only realised she was on fire when her students started screaming and she was able to pat out the flames.
Detectives arrested a teenager in connection with the unprovoked attack after CCTV images were released showing the woman with her hair on fire, British Transport Police said.
Inspector Gary Ancell said that within hours of the appeal going public, officers had arrested a youth from Swanley, Kent, on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm. He was bailed until September 29.
The attack left part of the victim's hair singed and, while she did not suffer burns or require hospital treatment, the incident had left her extremely distressed, the BTP said.
Ancell added: "I would like to pass my thanks to the members of the public who came forward and provided us with information."
Two of the four suspected youths were thrown off the train by a conductor who found them hiding in a toilet.
:: Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at around 6.30pm on Sunday July 19, should call 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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