Train conductor attacked with firework (From The Northern Echo)

Train conductor attacked with firework

9:34am Tuesday 27th November 2007 in News By Chris Brayshay

A HUNT has been launched for a yob who attacked a rail worker with a firework.

A train conductor had scorching to his clothes and reddening of his leg after having a lit firework - which exploded - deliberately thrown at him.

Police say the man's actions could have had more serious consequences for the conductor and rail passengers.

It is believed the incident is linked to an argument between a passenger and the conductor as the train approached Thornaby railway station, on Teesside, where the incident later occurred.

Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to trace in connection with the incident which occurred on Monday October 29 at about 4.50pm.

Details of the attack and the security camera pictures only emerged today as British Transport Police launched a public appeal for help.

The firework was thrown at the train conductor as he stood on the platform towards the rear of the 16.30 Darlington to Saltburn service train, minutes before it pulled out of Thornaby station.

A police spokesman said: "A verbal altercation had taken place on board the train, prior to the incident, between a male passenger and the conductor before the train arrived at Thornaby railway station. The male passenger alighted the train at Thornaby and is believed to be responsible for throwing the firework."

The man police are looking for is described as a white, in his mid 20's, approximately five feet, six inches tall, of thin build with short blond hair.

He wore black trousers and what is believed to be a reversible black/white bomber jacket with possibly grey line pattern on one side and black on the other. At the time of the incident it had black showing.

PC Graham Adams of the British Transport Police said: "This was a totally unprovoked attack on a member of rail staff who was carrying out his job, which has left him understandably shaken.

"BTP takes assaults on rail staff extremely seriously; everyone has the right to be able to go to work with out fear or being attacked or abused in this way. Assaults on staff, physical or verbal, will not be tolerated and as one of our key policing priorities BTP will arrest and prosecute those who commit such crimes."

He added: "The consequences of this man's actions could have easily caused serious injury to the conductor and other train passengers."

Police are appealing for anyone who may recognise the man from the CCTV images to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 405040 quoting incident number 441 of 29/10/2007. Information will be dealt with in strict confidence.