I've just come off the 22.33 ex-Paddington Connect (27/7/2007).

At Paddington there was a gang of Somali youths casing the train. They
kept getting on and off because they hadn't got tickets and they
weren't sure if they'd get caught. nyway they then got on at the rear
and passed through to the front - casting glances at the passengers.

When the ticket inspectors went through I told them about the gang. He
said that they were regulars, never paid for tickets, and carried
knives. He said that there was nothing he could about them. He seemed
scared of them.

He said that a few days ago one of them sat next to a guy and showed
him a knife demanding money. Apparently the police aren't too
interested in doing anything - although the CCTV must have footage of
them.

This gang is the same one lurking around Hayes & Harlington Station
bothering passengers. They've also been seen dealing in drugs in the
foyer.

SB.