Police want to speak to this man after a train conductor was racially abused and a woman passenger from Steeton slapped across the face.

A man started hurling racist abuse after the conductor told him his ticket was invalid. When the woman tried to intervene, the man assaulted her.

British Transport Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to about the incident, which happened on Thursday, February 13, at about 6.30pm on a train between Leeds and Shipley.

Police Constable John Clethro said: “The train’s conductor, a 25-year-old Asian man from Bradford, was conducting ticket checks when he came across a man with an invalid ticket. When challenged, the man became abusive and racially abused the conductor.

“A passenger on the service, a 28-year-old lady from Steeton, intervened and asked the man to stop using racist language.”

On alighting at Shipley, the man slapped the female passenger in the face then pushed the conductor in the back before leaving the station.

The attacker was with another man, described as being in his early to late 40s, of medium build and with short dark hair. He was wearing an open light blue or grey coat, dark grey crew neck jumper and dark trousers.

Anyone who can help should contact British Transport Police on 0800 4050 0 quoting reference NEA/B6 of 10/03/2014. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.