TRANSPORT police are appealing for help identifying a man after a teenage girl was assaulted on a train.

The attack happened on a service between Blackburn and Preston shortly before 6.30pm on October 10.

A man boarded the train at Blackburn and started a conversation with the two girls, both 17.

He asked them if they were girls or boys and used transphobic language against them. He also laughed at them.

One of the victims then took out her mobile phone and began to record the incident.

The suspect then lunged at the victim, knocking her mobile phone out of her hand, which cracked the screen.

He then grabbed her arm and placed his knee in her back, which caused bruising and swelling to the victim’s side. The offender then left the train at Preston.

Officers have released an image of a man they wish to speak with in connection with this incident and are appealing for anyone who thinks they might recognise him to get in contact.

Anyone who witnessed what happened is also urged to contact British Transport Police.

Anyone with information is asked to call BTP on 0800 405040 or text the force on 61016 reference 523 of October 10.

Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The incident comes three months after a man is suspected of having inappropriately touched a teenage girl on a train between Blackburn and Preston.

He sat next to a 16-year-old girl and talked with her before touching her inappropriately. The man left the York-bound train at Blackburn.

Police said the girl was left distressed and shaken after the incident.