Sectarian abuse of families on rail service

Police hunting a gang of men who hurled sectarian abuse at families with young children on a train in Fife have again appealed for help.

The incident happened on train between Haymarket and Kirkcaldy on December 2, when families were returning from a day out enjoying festive activities and shopping.

It was also amid a day of disruption on the rail lines, when many services were cancelled due to staff shortages, and police were called to another incident on board a service on the same line.

Five or six men who boarded the 5.34pm ScotRail service to Dundee at Edinburgh Waverley started chanting offensive and sectarian songs.

British Transport Police said the men made anti-Catholic comments to other passengers, including young families, on the front coach of the train.

They have issued a description of one of the men and renewed their appeal for witnesses.

He was described as white with a shaven head and around 30 years old.

The man was tanned, cleanshaven and wearing a blue bubble-style jacket and blue denims.

A statement from the force said: “Officers are today hoping to identify fresh witnesses to this abuse, who saw or heard what happened, and can help them investigate.

“Likewise, if you know someone matching the above description, please make contact with officers.”

A passenger on the service previously told The Courier of his horror at witnessing a group of drunken football hooligans abusing rail staff and singing sectarian songs.

And a man on an Edinburgh to Glenrothes train was alleged to have made violent threats towards a staff member.

British Transport Police can be contacted by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 with reference 1800089004.