London woman says she was racially abused on Elizabeth line; police investigate as TfL reviews support

A 47-year-old businesswoman says she was racially abused by four children on an Elizabeth line train traveling from Paddington to Maidenhead on 7 September, prompting a police inquiry and an apology from Transport for London over the handling of the incident.

Sophia Choudry, founder of the Roti Box food venture, told BBC she was repeatedly called the P-word as the train moved through west London. She said she reported the abuse to police before the youngsters left the train at Hayes & Harlington station. The British Transport Police confirmed it had launched an investigation, and TfL said it was deeply sorry and was reviewing why Ms Choudry did not receive the help she needed from staff or officers.

Choudry said she had not heard the term directed at her for about 25 years, and the incident left her shaken and heartbroken. She posted a video of the encounter, which has been viewed about two million times on TikTok, and she said she began filming when she realized the youths were trying to cover their faces. The video captures the moment passengers nearby confronted the situation and the children appeared to hesitate as other riders filmed.

During the ride, some passengers reacted to her explanation of the abuse; one person replied “so what?” after she described what had happened. Choudry said she activated the passenger alarm to try to stop the group from fleeing, and the youths left the train before police arrived on board. She continued to Slough, where her husband met her, after reporting the incident. She recalled feeling similarly unsettled by the reaction of some adults to her filming and said she hoped to avoid drawing further attention by leaving the platform area quickly.

“I was shocked and angry about the children’s reaction but the adults’ reactions are what broke me and brought me to tears,” she told BBC. “I’m heartbroken, I’m shaken.” She added that the episode brought back memories of growing up in Sunderland, where she was often the only person of color in school, experiences she said she had hoped were in the past. “If I don’t focus on the 95% of people who are showing love and support, I’ll never leave the house again,” she said.

The incident has added to a broader conversation about racial abuse on public transport. Choudry said she has received messages of support from friends and strangers, but the experience has left her wary. “There’s a shift now,” she said. “If I see a group of children now, I’ll cross the road. I just don’t want the trouble.” She stressed that she shared the video not to shame the youths but to challenge the normalization of racism and to call attention to the need for parental responsibility in teaching children respect for all people regardless of color.

Choudry also spoke about the atmosphere in some communities where political or cultural symbols can be used to intimidate others. She said the sight of flags on lampposts and roundabouts has contributed to a sense of unease in certain areas, though she emphasized she remains committed to a hopeful outlook and to engaging with those who support inclusion. “I’m a very positive person,” she said.

The British Transport Police said they take hate crime seriously and urged anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them. A TfL spokesman said the agency has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and is investigating why Ms Choudry did not receive the help she needed at the time. The organization noted that it is reviewing its procedures to ensure better protections for passengers reporting hate incidents.

Context for the wider transit network showed a notable rise in hate crimes last year. TfL figures indicate hate crime on the Elizabeth line rose by nearly 50% year over year, while incidents across the wider London transport network increased by about 28%. In the interview, Choudry said the statistics underscore a troubling regression she hopes to challenge through public conversation and personal resilience.

Choudry also runs the firm Roti Box, and she has used her social media reach to highlight the impact of racism and to advocate for inclusive communities. She recalled how, a decade ago, her children asked what racism meant, a moment she said she took as a sign that society could improve. She concluded by reiterating a demand that more parents teach children to treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background.

As investigations continue, authorities stressed their commitment to protecting passengers and holding perpetrators accountable. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing challenge of addressing racist abuse on public transport and the importance of timely assistance for those who report it.