A family from Herefordshire were shocked at the offensive language and thuggish behaviour they heard being used by a large group of football fans when they were travelling home from London by train recently.

They told the Ross Gazette that their young children were frightened and upset by the language that was used and the way the men hammered on the roof of the train carriage, as well as the way they aimed offensive chants about the football team the children support directly at them.

The youngsters were wearing their Tottenham Hotspur football shirts, although they had not been attending a football match that day.

The family were on the London to Worcester train on December 22nd when a group of men, who they believe had been at the Chelsea match, also boarded the train.

The British Transport Police have issued an appeal for anyone who witnessed the group, who are also alleged to have chanted racist abuse and sexually assaulted passengers on board the train.

A police spokesperson said: “On December 22nd a group of around 20 football fans boarded the 6.22pm Great Western Service from London Paddington and began to chant racially abusive comments in front of families and children.

They were also seen to sexually assault a number of women on board the train. 

It is believed they were Chelsea fans. 

The group, who were all men, left the train at Worcester. 

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch so they can assist the investigation.

In particular, they believe a number of women who were sexually assaulted are yet to come forward and they would like to encourage them to do so.

If this was you, or you have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 216 of 04/01/19.