MP blasts woke police for putting ‘alleged attacker’s identity feelings’ above those of victims after officers REFUSED to say whether wig-wearing flashing suspect is a man or woman

• A person exposed themselves and made lewd gestures to two girls on a train
• They committed the act at Theale railway station in Berkshire in September
• British Transport Police have been blasted for not saying the gender of offender
• Labour MP Rosie Duffield accused the BTP of ‘prioritising attackers’ feelings’ 
• Did you see the suspected flasher? Email [email protected] 

Labour MP Rosie Duffield has slammed the British Transport Police (BTP) after they tweeted an appeal to identify a suspected flasher, referring to the suspect as ‘them’ rather than stating their gender.

The force today issued CCTV images of purple-wigged dress-wearing person stating they may be able to help their investigation into the incident which took place at Theale station, Berkshire.

The BTP repeatedly refused to disclose to MailOnline whether a suspected flasher dressed in a wig and skirt exposed male or female genitals to two teenage girls on a train. 

Ms Duffield replied to the appeal on Twitter, writing: ‘When women report assaults/serious incidents on public transport, do you allow them to describe the perpetrator by their sex (majority of VAWG carried out by men), or do you quiz the victim at length first in order to prioritise an alleged attacker’s identity feelings?’ 

The grainy pictures show the person wearing a purple wig, black sunglasses, a blue jumper, a skirt and backpack.

MailOnline subsequently requested further information several times throughout today to confirm further details regarding the incident – including whether the suspect was is a man or woman and whether they exposed male or female genitals.

But BTP’s press office rebuffed the queries, instead insisting that it ‘did not need further descriptions’ after issuing the appeal.

Did you see the suspected flasher? 

Email [email protected] 

Its stance on the issue has been slammed by social media users as ‘woke’ policing, with one tweeting that that it must know their gender – as the victims would have told them which gender the person was after ‘they were cruelly exposed to their genitals’.

Radio presenter and psychologist Dr Pam Spurr said: ‘Don’t you think you’re more likely to catch this vile predator if you correctly identify him as a man?’ 

Observer columnist Sonia Sodha tweeted: ‘The police don’t know who this male accused of exposing his penis to two teenagers is, so they have no idea of his preferred pronouns. 

‘Yet they err on side of caution to avoid offending him over clear language to assist in identifying a male sex offender. See the problem?’

Officers investigating an incident in which a person exposed their genitals to two teenagers at Theale station, Berkshire, are releasing CCTV images in connection

Officers believe the person in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation

Another said: ‘This is exactly the sort of person who wants to enter female toilets and who wants to get you locked up if you dare object.’

A third added: ‘We are through the looking glass when a police force, tasked with tracing a suspect, feels unable to state that this person a man.’

Just before 3pm on September 2, two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, were sat on-board a train at the station when someone on the platform approached the train’s window.

As the train started the depart the station the person exposed their genitals to the two teenagers before making lewd hand gestures in their direction.

They then walked into a shelter at the station and masturbated.

Officers have said the person in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation.

One user tweeted that BTP ‘are too worried about offending a pervert to provide an accurate description of him.’

While Deb pointed out people would be able to discount around half of the population by knowing the gender of the person in the picture. 

Twitter users were angry at British Transport Police for failing to name the gender of the person in the CCTV image

Online many people shared their opinion that the person pictured was a man and called on the police to issue a clarification.

British Transport Police said: ‘We published this CCTV appeal as part of an investigation into a sexual offence on the railway against two teenagers. The individual shown in the CCTV image may have information which could assist the investigation and bring a sexual offender to justice.

‘At this stage of the investigation, our priority is to speak to the individual. It is not necessary for us to add any further descriptors – we just want to identify the individual in the picture and would encourage anyone with information to assist with this.

‘We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls across the rail and underground network.’

MailOnline has further asked British Transport Police what form of genitals the suspect is alleged to have exposed to the teenage girls. 

If you recognise them, or have any information, contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2200089694.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Did you see the suspected flasher? Email [email protected] 

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