Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a woman was racially abused on a train that passed through Barking and Dagenham Dock stations.

The offence took place on April 20 between 10.50pm and 11.05pm when a woman was targeted by a group of men on the 10.35pm London Fenchurch Street to Grays train.

The victim, a 21-year-old, boarded the train at West Ham at 10.44pm when she was approached and abused by a group of six or seven men who made racial insults towards her.

It is believed they boarded the train at Rainham shortly before 11pm and stayed on the train after she left at Purfleet.

The group consisted of six or seven men in their early 20s, wearing jeans and hooded tops and chequered shirts.

Officers are currently looking at CCTV of the journey and speaking to witnesses, and want to hear from anyone on the train involved as part of the investigation.

PC Gary Martin said: “Understandably, this person was left very shaken and upset by this encounter, and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting B5/LNA of 25/04/2013.