A ticket inspector who confronted two men without tickets has been stabbed in the back.
The assault occurred on Friday night at East Tilbury Station on train travelling from Southend Victoria to London Fenchurch Street.
According to the British Transport Police, the inspector approached two men at around 8.20pm. Neither had a ticket. He asked them both to leave the train, which they did, however one returned and stabbed the inspector in the back.
The assailant is said to be white and around 18-years-old. The police have released images of the two men, one was wearing a black hoody, the other a grey top and a flat cap.
The inspector is currently in hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
British transport police Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden said: “This was an appalling and disgraceful attack on a man who was simply doing his job and who had quite rightly asked the men to leave the train."
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "The RMT would urge anyone with any information on this shocking incident to contact the police urgently.
"Once again it shows the dangers that transport staff face every day, and particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.
"The perpetrators of this vicious and cowardly assault must be caught and the authorities need to show that those who attack public service workers will be severely punished."
Officers are asking any passengers on the train to come forward with information.