British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an incident of racial abuse on a train bound for Hackney.

The victim, a 26-year-old Somalian man from Kentish Town, boarded an Overground train at Stratford at around 4pm on Friday January 4 with his 15-month-old daughter.

He was sat opposite another man, who made eye contact with him before shouting racial abuse at him.

“The man continued his tirade of abuse during the journey, and began to grit his teeth and clench his fists in an aggressive manner,” said investigating officer PC Dean Percival.

“The man then stood up and approached the daughter in the pushchair, continuing his abuse and acting aggressively.

“As he left the train at Hackney Wick he punched the train window behind the victim around 10 times whilst continuing to shout and swear.

“Understandably this left the victim feeling very threatened and fearing for his own, and his daughter’s safety,” added PC Percival.

“The man’s behaviour was utterly unacceptable and we are determined to find the person responsible.”

Police want to hear from anyone else who was travelling on the train at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting B14/LNA of 09/01/2013.

Alternatively contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.