POLICE are hunting a teenager who attacked a train conductor with a machete.

The Arriva employee was left badly shocked and unable to complete his shift following the attack at a station in Redcar, east Cleveland, on Sunday evening.

He was attacked by the two boys as they got off the Middlesbrough to Saltburn service. One of the teenagers pulled out a machete.

The conductor managed to protect himself by using one of the youths' bikes to fend off his attacker, and succeeded in locking the train doors.

But, before the train pulled away, the youth used the blade to smash the train's windows.

The incident happened at about 8.15pm, as the train arrived at Redcar East Station.

The boys, thought to be aged about 15, got off the train with their bikes but then tried to go "surfing".

Sergeant Nigel Ashworth, of the British Transport Police, based at Middlesbrough, said they were trying to hitch a lift on the train by standing in the stairwell.

When the conductor stopped the train to explain the dangers, he found himself facing a ten to 12in machete.

"The conductor protected himself by grabbing one of the bikes and using it to fend off the blows.

"His attacker took a couple of swipes at him," said Sgt Ashworth.

"He was then able to lock the doors and the train pulled away, although the youth then used the machete to break the door windows."

The conductor was not injured but was left severely shocked as a result and is now off work, added Sgt Ashworth.

The youths were described as 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in, wearing dark clothing. One wore a white baseball cap.

The bicycle, which is now in police possession, is a blue framed mountain bike, with yellow forks and Concept Bronx on the cross bar. It has both front and rear suspension, and 15-speed Shimano gears.

Sgt Ashworth said: "This was a serious attack on a man who was only trying to do his job."

A spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Northern said: "We will not tolerate any acts of vandalism or abuse of our employees or customers, and are working closely with British Transport Police to ensure that the youths are apprehended."

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