Teen assaulted in racial train brawl

Train tracks

Police are appealing for information after a teenager was viciously attacked by a group of men on a train.

The British Transport Police (BTP) has recorded the incident, which happened on the Manchester Victoria – Leeds via Rochdale train on 27 December as a racially aggravated assault.

The victim, a 19-year-old Asian male, was abused verbally before being assaulted by the men at around 8.20pm. The abuse began shortly after the train departed from Manchester Victoria.

Detective Inspector Andrea Rainey said: “The offenders pulled the victim off the train at Rochdale station before assaulting him and we are now appealing to anyone with information about the incident to contact us.

“In particular we would like to trace some people we believe may be key witnesses to the assault namely a man who is believed to have got off the train at Castleton, a woman who confronted the offenders whilst on the train and a number of passengers who tried to assist the victim.”

DI Rainey added: “Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured, but this was a particularly unpleasant incident on a train full of people and I would ask anyone with information to come forward and help bring those responsible to justice.”

If you have information about the incident or can assist in the identification of the offenders please ring British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident 339 of 27/12/2008. Alternatively ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Have you suffered abuse on trains or other forms of public transport? Please call the Rochdale Online news desk on 01706 523583 or email:

• news@rochdaleonline.co.uk