A PHOTOGRAPH has been released in the hope of catching a pervert who performed a sex act on himself while on a train to West Kirby.

The incident, which was witnessed by a 20-year-old woman, happened at 7pm on New Year’s Eve on board a Merseyrail service headed for West Kirby.

An image of the suspect was today released by British Transport Police.

PC Colin Pattison said: “A 20-year-old woman in a carriage of the train and was minding her own business when a man also entered the carriage.

“As the journey progressed, she noticed the man was covering his groin with a jacket, but was clearly performing an indecent act on himself.

“This continued for some time until the woman informed the train guard.

“The man then ran from the train when it arrived at West Kirby.”

PC Pattison added: “I have managed to isolate the image of a man from CCTV and I believe he will have key information about the incident.

“If you recognise him, or have information about the incident, please come forward and get in touch.”

Anyone who can assist the investigation in any way should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, quoting NWA/B8 of January 28, 2014.