CCTV appeal after train ticket officer abused

BRITISH Transport Police has released CCTV images in a bid to track down a man who abused rail staff between Chichester and Barnham.
CCTV appeal
PICTURES SUPPLIED BY BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICECCTV appeal
PICTURES SUPPLIED BY BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE
CCTV appeal PICTURES SUPPLIED BY BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

The pictures released today (September 24) show a man officers would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

The verbal abuse took place shortly after 6pm on Saturday (August 24).

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PC Pete Cooke said: “While carrying out a ticket check in the train’s first class carriage, the member of staff asked a man for his ticket.

“He produced a ticket which was not valid and when challenged he began shouting insults and acted extremely aggressively towards the member of staff who feared for his safety as a result.

“The person responsible left the train at Barnham.

“It is completely unacceptable to use this type of aggressive and intimidating behaviour towards staff or passengers on trains or at stations and this incident understandably left the staff member very concerned for his safety and that of passengers.

“We will always thoroughly investigate any offence of staff assault, threat and intimidation of this type and are actively seeking to identify the person responsible, including the viewing of CCTV and an appeal for further witnesses to come forward.

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“We are especially keen to speak to the man pictured who we believe was in the area at the time.”

Officers want to speak to anyone who witnessed it, particularly the man pictured in CCTV stills.

A Southern Rail spokesman said: “No one should be subjected to this kind of abuse while doing their job. We urge anyone who can identify this man to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting background B6/LSA of September 24, 2013.

Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.