British Transport Police has issued CCTV images of a man they want to speak to after a woman was robbed of her phone and handbag as she waited for her train.

Officers investigating the incident, which took place in the early hours of Saturday January 26 want to identify the man pictured, and want anyone who recognises him to get in touch.

The victim, a 27-year-old woman from London, entered London Fields station by herself at 12.10am and sat on a bench on the northbound platform waiting for her train home.

A quarter of an hour later, a man entered the station from the Mentmore Terrace entrance and walked up the stairs, before grabbing the victim’s bag and running out of the station via the Martello Terrace exit.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Paul Cudby, said: “The victim was pulled to the ground during the theft and remained motionless for several minutes before waking to find cuts and bruises to her nose and face.

“This was a frightening and nasty theft from a woman who was merely waiting for a train after a night out.

“It has understandably left the victim feeling intimidated.”

The suspect escaped with a large grey and brown bag containing two mobile phones, a set of keys and a dark green purse.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background log B5/LNA of 29/01/2013, to to call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

See the gallery on the right for images of the man police want to talk to.