ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Commuters were left shaken after a gunman fired at a train from London and hit a window centimetres from a passenger’s head.

The Southeastern service from Cannon Street via London Bridge was struck at about 6pm on Thursday as it approached Greenhithe station in Kent, on its way to Gillingham.

Passenger Adam Watts feared he had been hit by a bullet as a window shattered next to him.

He told the Standard: “I was on the train looking out the window about to get off at Greenhithe when I saw a flash followed by a smash and bang within a split second.

SE UPDATE Trains through Greenhithe are being delayed due to the drivers cab being shot at. — Southeastern (@Se_Railway) October 29, 2015

“It sounded like a cross between a stone hitting a solid window and a firework crack.

"It took a few seconds to register but then I saw the hole and realised what it all was, then frantically started patting my body in case it hit me and I had a delayed reaction."

The marketing executive, 32, said the gunshot was “too close for comfort”, making a hole in the window just "centimetres" from his head.

The train company announced on Twitter that the driver’s cab had been targeted, but later confirmed it was the front passenger carriage that was struck.

The company believes an air rifle was used and has reported the matter to British Transport Police.

The train company could not confirm how many passengers were on board, though Mr Watts said there were only two or three others nearby.

A spokesman for Southeastern said the bullet or pellet did not fully penetrate the train’s window, only the outer panel.

He said: “Passengers were shaken by the incident. They were checked over and taken out of the carriage, which was taken out of use."

There was a short delay before the train continued on to Gillingham, he added.