A violent thug launched an unprovoked attack on a man at Hammersmith Tube station which caused him to temporarily lose his hearing.

The incident happened at 6.20pm on Wednesday, September 4 in the booking hall when the suspect reacted after he was tapped on the shoulder by the 43-year-old victim to alert him that the ticket window had become free.

He smashed a fist into left-hand side of the victim’s face, causing him to fall to the floor and lose his hearing.

Detective Constable Eloise Lock, the investigating officer for British Transport Police, said: “This was a shocking and unprovoked assault that left the man suffering from temporary hearing loss.

“We don’t tolerate violence like this anywhere on the London Underground network and I’d urge anyone who recognises the man pictured, or has any information that could help our investigation, to please contact us.”

* Anyone with information is asked to call 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting background B7/LUA of 04/10/13. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.