BRITISH Transport Police officers have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to after a train guard was threatened by a man travelling without a ticket.

The incident happened at about 4.50pm on May 24, on an East Coast train service travelling between Darlington and Newcastle.

PC Gavin Alcorn, said: “During the journey a man became verbally abusive towards the train guard.

“When he was asked to buy a ticket, he accused the guard of racism.”

Feeling threatened, the guard walked away but, on arrival at Newcastle station, the man got off the train and walked the length of the platform to seek him out.

PC Alcorn added: “At this point the man threatened the guard with violence and another member of staff intervened.

“This prompted more verbal abuse from the man who eventually left the station.

“While neither member of staff was physically assaulted during this incident, they were both subjected to threatening and abusive language.

“Such abuse of staff on the rail network in this way is unacceptable.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference PSUB/B3 of 14/7/2014.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.