WITNESSES are being sought as part of an investigation into a possible hate crime carried out by West Ham fans on the train from Southampton after their team played Saints.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for information after racist and abusive language was heard on board a train travelling between Southampton and Waterloo on Sunday, September 15.

Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who may have information about the incident, which took place between 7.10pm and 8.30pm.

It is thought they had been to the Premier League match at St Marys which ended nil-nil.

PC Vanessa Cadrecha is investigating.

She said: “A passenger on board the 6.50pm Bournemouth to Waterloo service noticed that a group of men who boarded the train at Southampton were being noisy.

“When the passenger heard what was being said, they were alarmed at the racist and sexist language that was being used. Another passenger in the carriage asked the group to stop and was verbally abused.”

The men are thought to have been wearing West Ham football shirts and it is thought that there was roughly ten men in the group that got off the train at Waterloo around 9pm.

Six men were spoken to at the station by officers.

PC Cadrecha added: “I'm sure that there were people onboard the train who will have noticed the men's behaviour and may have heard what was said.

“I would encourage anyone who has any information to contact us as they could really help our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting B9/LSA of 11/10/2013.

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.