AN Asian man was racially abused and assaulted following an altercation on a train between Bristol and Taunton.

Police are urging the victim to come forward and have appealed for witnesses.

People on the train and CCTV images suggest there was an altercation between two men on the train at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, December 23.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "The dispute continued when the two men got off the train at Highbridge and it is alleged when they got onto the footbridge of the station, one of them was assaulted and racially abused.

"The incident was reported to police a short time later by a third party, but the person identified as being the victim had left the station before his details could be taken."

 

The victim is described as an Asian man in his 20s and was wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

His alleged attacker is described as a white man in his late 30s or early 40s with fair hair, and was wearing a light-coloured coat and blue tracksuit bottoms.

Sgt Matt Popple, of BTP, said: “We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously and victims should know they can come to us in confidence, where they will be taken seriously and treated with respect by our officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I would encourage the Asian man - who we have been told was subjected to the abuse - to make contact so we can understand exactly what happened and whether any further action needs to be taken.

“We know there were other people in the carriage when the initial altercation took place and I would urge anyone who witnessed it to also contact us as you may have information which could be important to our investigation.”

Anyone with information about the incident can call BTP on 0800-405040 or text the force on 61016 quoting reference GB/084005/15.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.