A MAN has been arrested after a schoolgirl was groped as she sat with her mother on a train.

The 14-year-old, from Cumbria, was travelling on the Newcastle to Carlisle train at 7.35pm on Saturday, August 20 when a man came and sat next to her.

He touched the girl inappropriately and the victim and her mother moved away and reported it to the guard, who contacted police.

At the same time, another woman boarded the train and sat next to the man, but moved away quickly after he appeared to touch her as well.

Police arrested a 55-year-old man from Prudhoe and are now trying to trace witnesses, including the second woman who may have been assaulted.

Detective Constable Colin Dore of British Transport Police said: “The young victim was understandably distressed by the man’s actions.

“We would like to trace the other female who we believe was also assaulted by the man so that we can speak to her and provide her with support following what must have been a very upsetting experience.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who was travelling on the train and who may have witnessed the incident.

“We take all reports of this nature very seriously and I would like to commend the victim for coming forward and reporting this to us".

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800-405040 or text 61016 quoting reference number 242 of 16/09.