Police are keen to speak to this man in connection with a sexual assault during rush hour on a train between Stratford and Ilford stations.

A 34-year-old victim was approached, touched inappropriately and verbally abused in the incident last month, British Transport Police said.

The force’s Det Con Michael Hatcher said the woman boarded the busy train at Stratford at 5.04pm on June 9.

“While onboard, she was approached by a man, who also got on at Stratford,” he said.

“The man grabbed her by the arm, but she shook him off, moving to another carriage.

“However, the man followed her and touched her inappropriately while making lewd comments.

“The woman told the man to leave her alone, at which point he became verbally abusive.”

The man alighted at Ilford at 5.15pm.

Det Con Hatcher added officers were “determined” to find the man behind the assault and called for anyone who was on the “busy” service to contact police.

Around 15 per cent of women have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on London’s transport network, according to a Transport for London survey, and 90 per cent of those don’t report it, often because they didn’t think the incident was serious enough.

• If you recognise the man pictured, call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference ESUB/B7 of 08/07/2014. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.