Shocking moment group of yobs hurl racist abuse at train passengers – before threatening BBC journalist after she started filming them

This is the shocking moment a group of yobs hurl racist abuse at passengers on a train before threatening a BBC journalist after she started filming them. 

Mary Mandefield, who presents talk shows on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, witnessed a vile tirade of abuse while on board a train from Bedford to Three Bridges in south London on Thursday night. 

The presenter claimed the group had been ‘starting on’ people by throwing punches and yelling racist slurs at other passengers on board the Thameslink train, including a woman in her 70s. 

She then began filming one of the yobs, dressed in a tan coloured jacket, who can be heard yelling ‘listen this is England, not no f***ing foreign c*** like you lot’ before allegedly threatening Ms Mandefield. 

The journalist and presenter posted the traumatic ordeal on social media, saying it was ‘easily the most horrendous journey and experience’ she had ever had. 

Ms Mandefield wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘On the Bedford to three bridges train & this group of guys starting on anyone (including a woman in her 70s), racist slurs, throwing punches. 

‘As soon as he sees me filming he threatens me I get the train everyday, easily the most horrendous journey & experience I’ve had.’ 

She later added that she had called police, before praising a member of the train’s staff ‘who stepped in and was amazing, even though they then went for her’. 

Ms Mandefield also shared a response from Thameslink, who told her the passengers were removed from the train at East Croydon station. 

The train operator also apologised and told the journalist ‘I hope you are ok’. 

British Transport Police said in a statement: ‘Officers were called to East Croydon railway station via a text to 61016 at around 22.59pm yesterday (18 April), following reports of a fight on board a train from Luton to Three Bridges.

‘Officers attended and those involved were identified and taken off the service. Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 930 of 18/04/2024.’

MailOnline has contacted Thameslink for comment. 

Ms Mandefield is a presenter and journalist who has appeared on a number of news platforms. 

She has hosted episodes of BBC 1Xtra’s 1Xtra Talks and Life Hacks on BBC Radio 1, while also appearing on the BBC News channel to report on major developments within the music industry. 

She also features on a weekly podcast, called Noted, for News Movement, which is catered towards news for the Gen Z audience.