ARRESTED: Emma West shocking racist outburst shocked the country
A WOMAN, who was caught on video hurling racist abuse at black and asian passengers on board a south London tram, has been charged with racially aggravated assault, the British Transport Police said this morning (Nov 29).
Emma West from New Addington was arrested at her home last night (Nov 28) by British Transport police after shocking footage, which showed her tell non-white passengers to "go back to where you come from," generated over two million views on YouTube in one day and became the most discussed topic on Twitter yesterday.
"We've arrested a 34yo woman for racially aggravated public order offence as a result of #mytramexperience video brought to our attn," the British Transport Police posted on their Twitter page this morning.
"We've charged Emma West (34) of New Addington w. Racially Aggravated Section 4a. She's due to appear at #Croydon Mags' Ct (Magistrates Court) later today," they later tweeted.
The 34-year-old's arrest comes after outraged members of the community joined together to call for authorities to find and apprehend West as the video circulated around the country.
Their anger also forced Croydon MP Gavin Barwell to comment on the incident, which took place in his constituency on Sunday night (Nov 27).
He told The Voice: "I find both the language she used and the racist abuse of her fellow passengers, who it hardly needs to be said have as much right to be in this country as she has, disgusting."
"Frankly it is people like this woman that the country would be better off without," he said.
It is believed that Twitter user @Willows70 was the individual who identified West, who was with her young child at the time of the incident.
She used Twiiter to tell news program London Tonight "Her name is Emma West and she worked in the Dentist on Salcot Crescent in New Addington! #Tramrant."
West will appear at Croydon Magistrates Court later today