Police have released a CCTV image after a man grabbed a woman from behind and dragged her along a dark footpath outside Crystal Palace train station.

The Ilford woman was attacked outside the station’s main entrance at 8.25pm on November 2.

The 33-year-old woman had been exiting the station when a man accused her of knocking into a child he was travelling with.

He began to shout and threaten her before she turned away and walked out of the station towards Crystal Palace Station Road to catch a bus to West Croydon.

The suspect reportedly grabbed the victim from behind, gripped her face and tried to drag her into a darkened area of the footpath.

The woman called out to an unknown member of the public and asked her to call the police.

The young child, who was with the man and witnessed the assault, alerted a staff member on duty inside the station booking hall.

The victim managed to break free and ran towards the bus stop.

But the man and young child followed her again and boarded the same bus.

The suspect continued to intimidate the woman before leaving the bus six stops from Crystal Palace.

Investigating officer PC Michael Smith urged anyone who may have witnessed the assault to come forward.

He said: “This incident has left the victim extremely shaken and scared. We are very keen to speak to the man in the CCTV image as he may hold vital information to this incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference BSUB/ B11 of 27/11/14 .

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.