Man smoking e-cigarettes on train racially abuses passenger who asked him to stop

A man who was smoking e-cigarettes on a Manchester-bound train hurled racist abuse at a fellow passenger who asked him to stop, police have revealed.

British Transport Police said it had launched a hate crime investigation in response to the incident.

An image of a man from surveillance footage has also been released, with whom officers want to speak. Police are also appealing to witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester weather, Met Office forecasts maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius

The incident happened in May on a train travelling from Horwich Parkway to Deansgate station in Manchester city centre, but details of the incident were only recently made public.

Police said the victim, a man, was also “attacked” by the man who then began molesting him.

In a statement, a BTP spokesman said: “Do you recognise this man? Officers are today releasing CCTV footage following an incident of hate crime on board a train from Horwich Parkway to Deansgate station.

“The incident occurred on Friday 17th May at around 9.20am when the victim asked a man sitting opposite him to stop vaping. The man responded by lunging at the victim and making a racist comment.

“Officers would like to speak to the man in the photo. They believe he may have information that will assist in the investigation.

“Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 193 of 17/05/24. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”