Police Hunt Violent Rail Robbers

Police have released CCTV after violent robberies on trains from Kent to London

Detectives have appealed for the public's help following a spate of violent robberies on the railway network between London and Kent within days of each other.

Four victims, all boys or men aged between 16 and 27, were brutally attacked during separate incidents on trains between south London and Kent.

British Transport Police (BTP) released CCTV images of a man they want to question over the ``deeply shocking and distressing'' incidents.

Detectives warned the public not to approach the man, described as black, aged 20 to 25, 5ft 7in and of stocky build with a shaved head.

A boy of 16 became the first victim when he was approached by two men on board the 20.24 Gillingham to Charing Cross service on August 24.

One man demanded the boy hand over his mobile phone and when he refused, he was hit in the face and body before having his eyebrow cut with a knife.

Fearing for his safety, the teenager, from Herne Bay, handed over his phone and the two men fled the train at Abbey Wood, a BTP spokesman said.

Nearly two weeks later on September 6, a second robbery occurred as another 16-year-old boy was violently attacked as he made his way home to Lewisham.

The boy was left with severe bruising to his right eye, nose and left ear. However, the attacker fled empty-handed.

Police also appealed for information on any of the other people suspected of being involved in the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B3 of 10/09/2010.