BTP launch appeal after schoolboy racially abused and punched on Manchester-bound train

ITV News reports on an appeal launched by British Transport Police after a teenager was subjected to racist abuse and headbutted aboard a train to Manchester.

The incident happened on Wednesday 4 May, shortly before 5pm, when the schoolboy, who has not been named, got on a Manchester Piccadilly bound train service at East Didsbury station.

The 16 year old was “immediately subject to a barrage of vile racist abuse by a fellow passenger who had boarded the service at East Didsbury.”

The schoolboy was then headbutted by the passenger, leaving him with cuts and bruises in the “unprovoked, racially motivated attack”.

BTP have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Investigating officer PC Lee Valentine said: “The boy was left cut, bruised and upset by this totally unprovoked, racially motivated attack. It is vital we find the man responsible. Violence such as this has no place on the rail network.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 148 of 6/6. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.