IMAGES have been released of a man British Transport Police (BTP) would like to speak to following a phone snatch from a teenage girl.

It took place as the victim was travelling on the Metro train network, heading towards South Hylton, Sunderland, on Monday October 22.

As the train pulled in to stop at Pallion station, a man approached the 17-year-old woman and snatched a phone from her hands.

PC Mark Bradwell, of the BTP’s Metro Unit, said the phone snatcher boarded the train previously at the University station, alongside a woman.

Having grabbed the phone he fled from the train while it was still standing at Pallion station.

PC Bradwell said: “The train was fairly busy at the time, so I’m sure someone would have seen the incident, or the man running off.”

He said that following an earlier appeal officers are following several lines of inquiry and have identified a man they would like to speak to, who they believe can, “assist them with their investigation.”

"I would encourage anyone who knows the man in the pictures, or his whereabouts, to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP, on freephone (0800) 405040, quoting reference number B9/NEA of 29/10/2012, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on (0800) 555111.