Pictures released of five West Ham fans after anti-Semitic chanting on London Midland train

Images have been released of five West Ham fans after an incident of anti-Semitic chanting on a London Midland train travelling between Watford Junction and Birmingham New Street.
British Transport Police has released pictures of five West Ham fans following an incident of anti-Semitic chanting on a train travelling on the London Midland lineBritish Transport Police has released pictures of five West Ham fans following an incident of anti-Semitic chanting on a train travelling on the London Midland line
British Transport Police has released pictures of five West Ham fans following an incident of anti-Semitic chanting on a train travelling on the London Midland line

British Transport Police has received reports from several witnesses to the behaviour of the men, who are believed to have left the train at Northampton.

The incident happened on the 7.03pm Watford Junction to Birmingham New Street service on Saturday, August 15 – the day West Ham played Leicester City at the Boleyn Ground.

London Midland serves Dacorum, Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley, Milton Keynes and Bedford and police hope anyone using the line around that time can help their investigation.

PC Michael Botterill said: “A man, who boarded the train at Watford Junction, took his seat in the first class carriage.

“A group of West Ham fans were already seated and, as the train pulled away, they began to sing anti-Semitic songs.

“The man, quite rightly, took offence to these vile songs and challenged the group over their language. However, they refused to stop and continued with their chanting.”

PC Botterill said he believed the men in the pictures had information abut the incident.

He said: “This sort of casual racism has gone unchallenged for too long.

“We know the vast majority of football fans are decent people, but for those who continue to make life unpleasant for the travelling public, our message is clear: we will not tolerate your yobbish behaviour.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference MSUB/B4 of 12/10/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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