jonmorris wrote:

As I walked through the train to use the toilet, there was a serious
argument going on with a female (with man and child) threatening to
kill nearby passengers that must have said something that she didn't
like. She implied that she had a blade and would cut them, which
slightly concerned me. Many people looked on like startled rabbits. It
then heated up more, so like a fool (having had some drinks) I told
them to calm down. She then turned on me, threatening to stab me. I
said I'd call the police and things got worse. So I walked into the
next carriage and pulled the alarm.

As there was a child involved I would have called the police in any
case. I'm not sure that pulling the alarm achieved much. Why did you
choose that course of action?


The train stopped (between Potters Bar and Hatfield) and I expected to
speak to the driver (Class 365) but heard nothing. Then two people
walked down to ask what was going on. I asked if they were
off-duty/plain clothed police and they said they worked for the rail
company (no ID, uniform or anything). One had a key and reset the alarm
so the train could continue.

During this time, they went to see the people still arguing and
pushing. I followed to explain what I'd seen and what had been said,
and got taken back to be told that at that time of night, they don't
want a problem on the train.

I can understand that. Given that you had already been involved in an
altercation with them, having you go back near them to give your
version of events was only ever going to exacerbate the situation.

I was asked to leave at Hatfield, which
was my stop anyway, and also the others. I specifically made a point of
saying that he was ensuring I'd be attacked as soon as the train
departed. He didn't say another word.

So what did you want to do - go on beyond Hatfield?


No sooner have I gone over the bridge to the taxi rank, the male ran up
to me and confronted me, arms out and looking like he was going to head
butt me any second. Luckily other people had got off at the station,
some knowing what had happened. He didn't actually touch me (just
more threats of violence and swearing), but the woman wasn't so
'polite'. She punched me on the head, but I managed to move. Then
she walked off, only to come back and smash her can of beer over my
head. I got covered, as did someone standing nearby. She continued to
threaten me and say that I'm dead if they ever see me again.

I reported everything by telephone to British Transport Police, and
await an explanation from FCC. BTP were concerned by this, but I'm
not holding out much hope of them getting to the bottom of things. I
don't know who the people were who claimed to be working for the
railway, and never got to speak to the driver.

Once again, as there is a child involved, I'd have dialled 999. So far
as railway staff are concerned, why would you wish to speak to the
driver, rather than the members of staff with whom you dealt? As for
their being less than forthcoming, that is probably because you had had
a few drinks (that isn't intended as a criticism - it's just that in a
conflict situation staff tend to be wary about anyone who appears to
have been drinking).


I could easily identify the people on the train, and the can of beer
would have fingerprints, but I'm not silly enough to think the police
will take incident that seriously. After all, nobody was killed or
injured, beyond a soaking wet jacket and season ticket. Of course, I
have to keep my eyes open on any other late night train trips where
they might be travelling.

I think that you are probably right, but you could still report it to
Hertfordshire Police. There is still the issue that there is a couple
who were behaving aggressively and drunkenly while responsible for a
child. Is there CCTV in the area? If so, you might still get afollow
up, particularly if the couple are known to the police locally. It
would have been better to act at the time, but it's still not too late.


My advice; If you see something happen. Turn your head. Don't get
involved. The people you might expect to help probably won't because
they want an easy life. That makes me very angry, but I don't fancy
being killed to try and do the right thing.

I realise that you are upset, but that's bad advice. If decent people
don't try to help what chance is there? The likelihood is that the
people who were being abused and threatened prior to your involvement
are, in fact, grateful to you, just as, I am sure, you would be
grateful to someone who intervened to try to help you.

As a matter of interest, how do you think that this should have
beenhandled?