POLICE are hunting a man who verbally abused and threatened a member of staff at a railway station.

Police are calling for the public’s help to trace the man who threatened a member of staff at Darlington railway station after they asked him to extinguish his cigarette.

Officers have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place on Tuesday, February 14, in the hope that someone might recognise him.

PC Tony McGhin said: “The man was ejected onto the station from a train for smoking. When approached by a member of station staff, who also challenged his behaviour, he became incredibly aggressive and verbally threatened him.

“This was an unprovoked attack on a member of staff simply doing his job. The incident, in which he feared for his safety, has left him very shocked.

“British Transport Police will not tolerate assaults of any kind towards railway staff, and we will do everything possible to track down the offenders and bring them to justice.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may recognise the man pictured to contact police.”

The man is 5ft 10in, with a beard and short, scruffy ginger hair. He wore a dark jacket with a white logo on it.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0800-40-50-40 quoting B4 of June 7, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.