Police want to speak to this man after a ticket inspector was racially abused and a female passenger slapped on a busy train between Leeds and Shipley.

A man started hurling racist abuse after the ticket inspector told him his ticket was invalid. When a woman tried to stop the abuse, the man slapped her across the face.

British Transport Police have now found CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to about the incident, which happened on Thursday, February 13.

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 the train at Shipley, the man slapped the female passenger in the face then pushed the conductor, who was now standing on the platform, in the back before leaving the station.

“This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we are determined to find the person responsible.”

The attacker was with a 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 bottoms.

Contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference NEA/B6 of 10/03/2014. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.