Noxious gas released on Croydon tram
A fracas between youths ended with a noxious gas being sprayed on a tram packed with shoppers, young children and students.
Several passengers were overcome by the substance, which was possibly CS gas, and had to be treated by London Ambulance Service.
BTP Sergeant Shawn Taylor said the incident occurred just after 3.30pm on Wednesday (October 8) at Phipps Bridge
He said: "The carriage was very crowded with school students, shoppers and young children when there was an altercation between a group of youths.
"During the fracas it appears that one of the youths sprayed a substance, which was believed to be CS, in the crowded carriage."
Police are investigating the matter and have released CCTV of a teenager they would like to speak with in relation to the incident.
Sergeant Taylor said: "The youth was seen talking to several other youths on the tram and we would appeal for those individuals to contact police as well.
"The youth was described as a black male, approximately 6ft tall, with black, cropped hair.
"He was aged 16 to 18 years, had a proportionate build and was wearing all black with a white T shirt under his top."
Anyone who can identify the male in the CCTV still is asked to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background log B5 of 16/10/2008.
*Were you on the tram? Call the Advertiser newsdesk on 020 8760 7601 or email newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk.
27 Comments
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by Trueblue, Croydon
Thursday, October 23 2008, 5:37PM
“I dont understand the attack on the Police from some readers. This incident was reported in the advertiser less than 2 weeks after it happened - how is that a slow response? They had to get CCTV, make enquiries, speak to victims and witnesses etc. I wish people would back the police rather than slate them. I know there are not enough of them but that is not their fault, it is down to the government. I was at West Croydon tonight and saw British Transport Police find a scary looking knife on a person they were searching. I for one am glad they are there doing what they do.”
by Bazza, Croydon
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 7:37PM
“Dey say dat its a culture ting....init!
GET REAL AND GET EM BEHIND BARS WITH NO BASIC NECESSITIES!!”
by Croyboy, Croydon
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 12:03PM
“Undermanned said "The police are there to fight crime..." - sure, in theory, anyway. My overwhelming impression is that they're a demoralised force more often than not simply going through the motions until they take early retirement and collect their copper-bottomed (excuse the pun) pensions. The problem is the only easy target for keeping up their quotas is Mr.Law-Abiding citizen who parks with one wheel too close or too far from the kerb, or some such rubbish. They know that they can't begin to make a dent in violent street-crime or criminal behaviour on public transport and the like in this area until immigration and deportation rules are revised and put into action, and the criminal justice system finds its backbone.
All else is futile.”
by Jacko, Hotel California
Monday, October 20 2008, 8:55PM
“Undermanned - you state that the police are there to fight crime - not doing a very good job of it are they! I think prehaps that The Chief Constable may well have orderd them to hold back until after the dregs have left the scean as each time they arrest anyone and there is a scuffle Plod goes on sick leave for a week or so and the CC gets lonely with nobody to issue the latest namby pamby guidelines issued by people that see half of what is happening in Croydon would change their do gooder minds. If of course they happend to get caught up in a fracas I would bet they would then listen to what ordinary decent people are saying i.e. ENOUGH”
by Single Black Female, Croydon
Monday, October 20 2008, 8:04PM
“Idiot is obviously as stupid as he looks.”