Hunt for train louts over naked streak and smashed windscreen

Police investigating a family argument on the Transpennine York to Middlesbrough service were stunned to discover on-board CCTV footage of a man stripping naked and running through the carriage.

They said he could be seen "dancing naked up the aisle before stopping by a party of women and having his bottom slapped several times".

Detective Constable Wayne Green said he believed the group of women could have been part of a hen party and the footage - taken at 8.30pm on Friday, August 29 - showed a nearby group of men laughing.

He said while the footage showed some passengers were upset by his antics, no one had made a complaint following the incident.

He added: “The man clearly thought this was fun and a joke.

"In reality, this was completely unacceptable and inappropriate behaviour which was clearly distressing for many of the passengers on board what was a busy service.”

Detectives are also seeking information about vandals who smashed a Northern Rail Nunthorpe to Carlisle train’s windscreen as it passed over the 200ft-high Horden Viaduct at 5.30pm on Monday (September 1).

PC Steve Maddison said stones were thrown at the train, smashing the outer glass of one of the train's windows and that the consequences could have been far worse.

He said passengers' journeys were delayed as a result.

"Fortunately no one was injured and the train managed to continue to Newcastle where it was taken out of service to be fixed.

"The passengers on board were transferred to another service to complete their journeys to Carlisle.

"This was an extremely foolish and dangerous act, which put the driver and passengers on the train in danger.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who may have been in the Horden Viaduct area at the time, and who may have seen anything suspicious to get in touch."

Anyone with information about either incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800-405040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.