A group of loudmouths, who used racist language as they chatted about being in a fight on a busy train, are wanted by police after they were reported by other passengers.

The four men, all white, were heard using “derogatory and racist language” and had verbally abused another passenger when they stepped in to calm them down on the train between Wimbledon and Hampton Wick.

It happened at about 7pm on South West Trains, on the 6.13pm Waterloo to Shepperton Service on Wednesday, January 2, before the the men were seen exiting at Kingston.

They are aged between 22 and 30 and were drinking alcohol, but police said no CCTV images are available.

PC Jonathan Prettejohns, from the British Transport Police (BTP), said: “This must have been an intimidating experience for other passengers, who were forced to listen to the group’s offensive and derogatory language.

“This happened in the third carriage from the front of the train, which was busy at the time.

“If you saw something or have any information that could help, please come forward and speak to us."