A man was held at knifepoint, stabbed in the hand, and robbed at Gidea Park rail station.

Now train detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to identify and talk to, in connection with the incident, which took place on Sunday, February 19.

Det Con Tim Keep, investigating officer from British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Around 9pm the victim, a 25-year-old man from Newham, entered the waiting room on platform three at Gidea Park.

“Three men were already standing in the waiting room when the victim entered. They approached him and grabbed him suddenly, restraining him and holding a knife to his throat before demanding he hand over his belongings.

“One man held the knife to the victim’s throat whilst the other two men searched him. Fearing for his life the victim handed over the two mobile phones he had in his possession, as well as �100 in cash.”

In the tussle, the man was stabbed between the thumb and forefinger, police said.

The three men escaped on a Greater Anglia service bound for Shenfield.

The victim remained at the station and reported the incident to police.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident, but investigators are now appealing for the public’s help in a bid to identify the third man.

Det Con Keep added: “Fortunately this type of incident is extremely rare on the rail network and the chances of becoming a victim of crime are very slim.

“We have so far been able to positively identify and arrest a 31-year-old man from Romford and a 41-year-old man from Harold Wood in connection with the incident, however we still have one man outstanding. I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the image to contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B8/LNA of 22/03/2012 or call the independent charity Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.