A rail worker was told he would be killed after he refused two men entry onto a train because they did not have valid tickets. Police said one of the men told the 27-year-old staff member: “We are not just going to hurt you, we are going to kill you.”
The threats were made after the pair approached the gate at Crawley Station.
One of the pair was asked to leave the station because he did not have a valid ticket but he refused and became abusive.
The pair threatened to attack the Southern Rail worker and demanded he step outside the station.
The staff member refused and the suspects left the station shortly after, at around 2.50pm on Saturday January 7.
Police are appealing for information and have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
PC Billy Burstow, the investigating officer, said: “It isn’t clear why these men felt they could threaten and intimidate someone who was simply trying to do his job, but we’ll do all we can to track them down.
“Everyone has the right to go to work and carry out their duty without fear of violence or abuse.
“We’ve made a number of enquiries to try to identify the pair, including circulating images on police intelligence systems and to local police teams in Crawley, but to no avail so far.”
Describing the CCTV footage, he added: “The images are of good quality and I’m confident someone will recognise these men and tell us who they are.”
A Southern spokesman said: “This is a case of unprovoked, thoroughly disgusting behaviour.
“Our member of staff quite rightly refused access to the station on proper grounds and to have his life threatened for this is not only unlawful, but can be extremely damaging psychologically.”
If you recognise these two men contact Sussex Police freefone 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.