Youths set fire to teacher's hair on train

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CCTV cameras captured the moment the Swedish tourist was set alight on the service from Hastings to Charing Cross. The woman, who was on a school trip, was walking through the carriage when one of the youths held out a lighter and touched her hair.

She only realised she was on fire when her students started screaming and she was able to pat out the flames.

British Transport Police Inspector Gary Ancell, who is leading the inquiry, said the woman escaped injury but was "extremely distressed".

The teacher’s hair alight

He said: "The victim was walking through the carriage at around 6.30pm when a youth held out a lighter as she passed. Her hair immediately caught alight and she only realised what had happened when she walked towards her students and saw them screaming and pointing to her hair. She was then able to pat the fire out."

He said police are searching for four youths, two of whom were thrown off the train by a conductor who found them hiding in a lavatory.

Mr Ancell added: "Assaults of this nature are extremely rare on the railway system but I am treating this incident very seriously and urge the youths pictured in the CCTV images or anyone who recognises them to come forward to police."

The victim did not suffer burns or need hospital treatment but the attack left part of her hair singed.

Anyone with information about the attack, on Sunday 19 July, or who recognises the youths, should call 0800 40 50 40.