Man ‘stabbed in face’ on London Underground Central line train near Mile End

Witnesses on social media said victim was attacked after an argument with a man sitting near him

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the incident (British Transport Police )

A man was stabbed while travelling on a Central Line train on the London Underground, police said.

The incident happened between Stratford and Mile End at about 12.50am on Sunday morning, British Transport Police (BTP) said in a statement.

Witnesses on social media said the man was "stabbed in the face" after an argument with a man near to him on the train.

Photos shared online by witnesses show the victim following the attack and a blood-soaked newspaper on the floor by passengers feet.

Rukshana Begum, 24, from east London witnessed the incident on her way home from Stratford and said the man was “stabbed on the left side of the face”.

“After me and my friend got on the train at Stratford, we heard two men arguing and shouting at each other on the other side of the carriage,” she said.

“Then there was a lot of panic on the train and we heard someone scream.

“A tall man ran out of the train at the next stop and that’s when we saw all the blood.

Ms Begum said that the victim “stumbled to the floor” and tried to leave the train too.

“He had blood all over his t-shirt and he was holding onto the side of his face,” she added.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service treated the victim for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the investigation, and are also urging any witnesses to come forward.

A British Transport Police spokesperson added: "Anyone with information should contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016, quoting reference number 36 of 30/9/2018."

Additional reporting by PA