POLICE want to trace a woman after an Asian man and two Asian women were allegedly racially abused while onboard a train.

The incident happened on the 6.32pm Middlesbrough to Gateshead Metro service on Tuesday, October 30 as it travelled between Middlesbrough and Billingham.

Police Constable Ryan Griffiths, of British Transport Police, said: “The victims, an Asian man and two Asian women from Sunderland, were travelling on the service when a man and woman boarded the train at Middlesbrough.

"The woman then began to racially abuse the victims, continuing until the train arrived in Billingham, where she alighted with the man.

"As she walked down the platform the woman banged on the train window where the victims were sitting.”

The woman police would like to trace has been described as white, in her mid 40s, with long shoulder length black hair. She was wearing a beige jumper and black trousers and spoke with a local accent.

PC Griffiths added: “Racial abuse will not be tolerated on the rail network and we will always seek to trace and convict anyone who engages in unacceptable behaviour such as this."

Anyone with relevant information should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.