Police hunt woman who 'racially abused' family on the tube

An argument is said to have broken out over a seat

Police have released images of the woman, who is thought to be from the Midlands (British Transport Police)

Police are asking the public to help find a woman after a young family were allegedly racially abused on the London Underground.

A couple were allegedly involved in a row after a woman offered her seat to the victim’s wife, who was carrying the couple’s young child on the Northern Line between Tottenham Court Road and Euston.

Police said the woman they are looking for, pictured above, is alleged to have made abusive comments.

She apparently spoke with a Midlands accent, and is believed to have boarded a train to the West Midlands at Euston following the incident, which happened at around 7.15pm on Saturday, 30 November.

She was travelling with three other people, including two men, who police said grabbed the 31-year-old victim, from Barnet, by his shoulders and pushed him.

Detective Constable Dick Mortimer, the investigating officer, said: "A passenger offered his seat to the victim’s wife, which resulted in another female passenger complaining.

"The woman, who was travelling with three other people, made racially abusive comments towards the family. Two men, who were travelling with the woman, then grabbed the victim by his shoulders and pushed him.

"The group, who all spoke with a Midlands accent, left the train at Euston and we believe they then travelled on a train to the West Midlands."

One of the men accompanying the woman was described by police as white, with stubble, around 5ft 6ins tall and of a stocky build. He is believed to be in his late 40s and was wearing glasses at the time.

DC Mortimer said: “This was a busy train and we believe there will be a number of people who witnessed what took place. If you were on board the service at the time, we urge you to come forward as you may have information crucial to our investigation.

“We take all reports of racist behaviour very seriously, and will not tolerate abuse of any kind on the London Underground or rail network.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016 quoting background LUA/B8 of 07/02/14. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.