TRANSPORT police were today investigating an incident on a train carrying Charlton fans home after their team's defeat to Ipswich Town.British Transport Police officers were called in after rail operator National Express East Anglia reported a disturbance on a train.

Grant Sherlock

TRANSPORT police were today investigating an incident on a train carrying Charlton fans home after their team's defeat to Ipswich Town.

British Transport Police officers were called in after train company National Express East Anglia reported a disturbance on the 5.30pm train from Norwich to Liverpool Street on Saturday.

It is understood that Charlton fans boarded the train at Ipswich and the incident occurred as it travelled to Chelmsford.

Staff on board the train called police and the train was held at Chelmsford station where officers had been waiting.

A spokeswoman for National Express said: “It stopped at Chelmsford station for about 15 minutes while the police were called to the train but then continued on its journey.

“I gather there was some incident in the buffet area of the train. Some broken glass was found in the buffet.”

The spokeswoman said the company was working with police to uncover what happened but said the reports suggested the trouble had stemmed from the football fans on the train.

“That's certainly something we will investigate,” she said.

“We take security very seriously. We will investigate the circumstances of this incident and seek to address any issues it raises.”

Up to 3,000 Charlton fans are thought to have made the journey to Ipswich for Saturday afternoon's game. Ipswich Town beat Charlton 2-0.

Following the damage the train was taken out of service for repairs but was due to return to use today. The National Express spokeswoman said: “Seat cushions had been thrown around and some lighting tubes had been broken.”

Pc Doug Ford from British Transport Police said the train carried on to Liverpool Street after being held at Chelmsford.

“It was damage to the buffet car,” he said.

One person was arrested at Chelmsford station on suspicion of criminal damage.

Did you witness the trouble on the train? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk