BRITISH Transport Police are appealing for witnesses after a group of men were overheard using racist and abusive language on a Darlington to Newcastle train service.

A text message sent to the police’s non-emergency number tipped off the authority about the incident on the 6.42pm service on Saturday, April 23.

The concerned passenger reported that a “large group of men” were using abusive language, but officers intercepting the train in Newcastle could not locate the group.

Now the British Transport Police have issued an appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

PC Graham Marshall, of the British Transport Police, said: “We received a text into our control room from a passenger on the service who was concerned about the behaviour of a large group on men on board.

“Officers attended and met the train in at Newcastle station, but it is believed the group had already left.

“As part of the investigation we have spoken to a number of witnesses on board and are viewing CCTV from the train.

“We are now appealing to anyone who may have been travelling on the train and witnessed the group’s behaviour to please come forward.

“We take all reports of racist abuse extremely seriously, this type of offensive behaviour is not acceptable and must have been extremely unpleasant for the other passengers on the train.”

Anyone with any information about the incident can contact the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. or text 61016. quoting reference log 458 of 23/4/16.