British Transport Police in Leeds are asking for help identifying two men who shouted homophobic abuse at a man before punching him in the face.

The incident occurred at Leeds train station at 3.10am on Saturday 5 July. PC Daniel Worthington, the investigating officer, said: ‘The victim, a 21-year-old man from Leeds, was in McDonald’s restaurant in the station when he was approached by a group of four men.

‘After initially engaging him in conversation, the group then followed the victim to the taxi rank where they began to shout homophobic abuse at him. Two members of the group then attacked the victim, punching him in the head and face before running off.’

The victim sustained swelling and bruising to his face and a cut lip following the attack.

PC Worthington added: ‘No one should be assaulted or abused in such a way for any reason, including their sexual orientation. We take incidents of this nature very seriously and simply will not tolerate this type of deplorable behaviour on the rail network.

‘If you recognise the men pictured please come forward as we believe they may be able to assist in this investigation.’

If you recognise the men in the CCTV images or can assist the investigation in any way please call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting log PSUB/B3 of 11/07/14, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile, Glasgow police as asking for witnesses to a homophobic attack on two teenage girls in St Enoch Square on Saturday night. The male attacker, who verbally abused the 16 and 19 year olds before punching one to the ground, has a full sleeve tattoo, is described as being in his late to mid 20s, 6ft, with ginger hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans and was carrying a black rucksack.

Witnesses are being asked to contact police on 101 if they have any information.