Early Morning Train Journey Descends into Chaos
A London-bound train service from the Midlands became the scene of a violent disturbance in the early hours of Wednesday, 19th November 2025. The incident led to the arrest of a man in his 40s after he allegedly assaulted railway staff and caused significant damage to the carriage.
Sequence of a Violent Incident
The trouble unfolded aboard the 4.40am East Midlands Railway (EMR) service travelling from Derby to London St Pancras. According to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) union, the situation began when a passenger, believed to have been travelling without a valid ticket, became aggressive and began shouting.
The confrontation escalated rapidly. The man reportedly ran to the train's galley, where he procured hot water and hurled it at members of the railway staff. He then attempted to launch a further attack using a fire extinguisher. In the ensuing chaos, the man used the object to break a window on the train.
Police Response and Union Concerns
British Transport Police officers attended the train at Leicester station at 4.38am. Thankfully, a staff member involved sustained only minor injuries. A spokesperson for the force confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and common assault.
The event has sparked serious concern from the TSSA union. Its General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, described the incident as "deeply troubling," noting it came soon after other recent attacks on the rail network. She emphasised the growing risks faced by frontline transport workers and called on the government to act swiftly to review network security and halt any proposed budget cuts to the British Transport Police.
An EMR spokesperson stated that they are supporting the affected staff member and are working closely with the police regarding the matter.
