Police are urgently trying to trace a man after two attempted knife-point robberies that have taken place at busy west London Tube stations in the last week.
The “incredibly concerning” incidents happened just three days apart in broad daylight, and on both occasions saw a man armed with a large knife approach victims demand their watches.
One incident saw a man followed off a train on the Underground, before being attacked with the knife, leaving him with cuts to the back of his head and body.
Police have now released a CCTV image of 23-year-old Muridi Bahdon, who they believe may have information that could help their investigation. They have urged the public not to approach him.
The first incident happened around 6.15pm on Saturday. The victim was queuing at a shop in Earls Court station at around 6.15pm when he was approached by a man who demanded he give him his watch.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “The man then produced a large knife from his waistband and lunged towards the victim in an attempt to stab him in the stomach. The victim thankfully managed to seek refuge behind the shop counter and the man left the area.”
The second incident came around 1.40pm on Tuesday.
”The victim was on board a District Line train at around 1.40pm, when he was approached by a man who began staring at his watch,” said BTP. “The victim left the train at Sloane Square and was followed onto the platform by the man who produced a large knife and demanded his watch.
“As the victim tried to get away the man attacked him with the knife. He sustained lacerations to the back of his head, shoulders and legs, and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Thankfully these are not believed to be life-threatening.”
Detectives investigating the incidents on Thursday evening said they are hoping to trace Muridi Bahdon, who “may have useful information which could assist their investigation”.
BTP asks the public “not to approach him but to contact police as soon as possible with any information regarding his whereabouts”.
Detective Constable Steve Faulkner said: “These are two incredibly concerning incidents which have involved brazen and determined levels of violence in broad daylight at busy Underground stations in West London.
“We are treating the two incidents as linked and urgently trying to trace Muridi Bahdon, from the Shepherds Bush area, who we believe may be able to help us with our investigation.
“If you have any information on his whereabouts, please text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 295 of 04/07/23. If you see him on the transport network or out in public, please do not approach him but call 999 quoting the same reference number.
“In both cases we know the victims have been targeted for their watches so I would urge passengers to be vigilant when travelling and try to keep any valuables out of sight where possible.”
