A TRAIN guard was threatened and spat at in a "vile attack" after asking a passenger for a ticket on a train between Keighley and Crossflatts.

The passenger, thought to be from Bingley, threatened to butt the guard and claimed he had ripped his ticket up shortly after getting on the train.

The incident took place at around 2.50pm on Monday, January 25, and as well as issuing a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to about the incident, police are also testing spit recovered from the guard's clothing  for DNA.

Investigating officer PC Sam Bloomfield said: “The train guard, a 56-year-old man from Keighley, had approached a passenger asking to see his ticket.

“The man said he had torn up his ticket at Keighley and was travelling to Bingley, but refused to buy another.

“When the guard asked the man to leave the train at Cross Flatts station and he became aggressive and began threatening the guard.

“He then spat twice at the guard and threatened to head butt him.

“This was a vile attack on a member of staff, who was simply doing his job. All rail staff have the right to come to work without the fear of violence or intimidation of any kind. We treat all reports of staff assault very seriously and will always thoroughly investigate.”

Anyone who recognises the man, or has any information about the incident, can call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference PSUB/166 of 5/2. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.