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These are images of a gang of youths who set a woman teacher's hair on fire with a lighter in an unprovoked attack on a train.
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".
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.
Reader views (17)
Help! Fire! Send for the Balls-Cooper brigade - NOT.
Until we start by sticking these bums inside for a minimum of five years hard labour, and fine their useless "parents" a couple of grand, this type of thing will only get worse.
Any views on THAT, Keith?
- Ted, London, 20/08/2009 07:57
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Make the mothers share or do time for their kids - would concentrate their minds wonderfully on new and strange thoughts, like, "where are they at this time of night, should I have more?” etc. etc. etc.
Or make the punishment fit the crime - hair for a hair in this case?
Wonder and see the drop in bad behaviour then...
The cold war scenario proves that deterrence works, and is better than cure - but you need to show you’re serious - which our "justice" system doesn’t.
Also, the value of security cameras is proven yet again, is it not?
- Darius, London UK, 20/08/2009 07:47
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They should be done for attempted murder as a minimum but Labour's go softly approach to these scum will get them a ticking off
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 20/08/2009 06:34
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you silly people. if these monsters are caught political correctness will kick in. the teacher will have to write letters of apology to each of little monsters for putting the fire out and causing them mental anguish in that they did not get to enjoy the thrill of killing someone.
look what happened to the nurse who swatted her child on the bottom for his bad behavior. she has lost her job. she has been listed on computer systems and in newspapers as a monster. not politically correct not to let your little one treat you like dirt.
i have been to england about 18 times. i will not return till i can afford a bodyguard so my wife and i can take a walk in london without the fear being attached or killed!
p. bloomberg
old man
glendale, ca
- P. Bloomberg, Old Man, glendale, california, 19/08/2009 22:30
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I am grateful that British youths like this rarely holiday in Italy. If they are caught a long sentence set as an example is appropriate. Although I believe in rehabilitation, there is is very little hope for it in this kind of case.
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 19/08/2009 22:18
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I am grateful that British youths like this rarely holiday in Italy. If they are caught a long sentence set as an example is appropriate. Although I believe in rehabilitation, there is is very little hope for it in this kind of case.
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 19/08/2009 22:16
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Welcome to 'do what you like, no consequence bonkers
Britain' thanks to this despicable government.
If this woman had struck out at any of these scum, or
attempted to detain one, guess who would have been
arrested!? The're 'human rights' would have been
violated of course!
- Lb, Bromley, 19/08/2009 21:05
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Oh Frank, I know you are only joking, no one could be as thick as you. you're a funny guy!
How can these people be part of the Labour party or their actions caused by the labour party? Their parents are to blame for a lack of control, and I'll guarantee they were "educated" in Thatchers Britain, You know the place, where the rich and powerful could do what they wanted and everyone else goes to the wall.
Not that I condone what these little scumbags do, shoot them for all I care, but stop blaming everything on your personal bete noir.
- Kerry, Purley, 19/08/2009 21:02
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The big one with the fat face should be easy to identify.
- David, London, 19/08/2009 16:59
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More of Labour's feral youth." ?
How can these 4 isiots possibly be anything to do with the Labour Party ? Get real
.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 19/08/2009 16:51
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They shouldn't be too difficult to locate. The one in the blue T-shirt looks pretty distincive.
- Paul, Kent, 19/08/2009 16:50
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There needs to be more dicipline at schools. How can kids get away with behaving like this. Bring back the cane I say!
- Rick, Mortlake, London, 19/08/2009 16:49
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The mug shots of the 4 mugs are so clear that they are certain to be caught and charged,, abd convicted. yippee !.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 19/08/2009 16:48
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Well, Sarah, as you will know, without any help from those parents, they are all good boys, really!
This country stinks and has done for many, many years.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 19/08/2009 16:42
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I hope their loving parents are very proud of their darling sons featured in the papers. You should be ashamed to be called parents.
- Sandra, ealing, 19/08/2009 15:47
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More of Labour's feral youth.
A police caution at best, no come back on the parents of course. Basically nothing will happen.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/08/2009 15:46
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Low life guttersnipes. They really are despicable and should be severly punished.
- Irene Gizelle, London UK, 19/08/2009 15:40
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