Police are searching for a group of Chelsea fans who allegedly sexually assaulted female passengers and sung racist chants on a train service days before Christmas.

The incident is said to have occurred following the Blues' 1-0 defeat by Leicester at Stamford Bridge, when up to 20 fans boarded a Great Western service at London Paddington bound for Worcester.

In a statement, British Transport Police said the fans began to chant racial abuse in front of families and young children, while also sexually assaulting a number of women on board the train.

Police are hunting for a group of Chelsea fans accused o a series of sexual assaults and racist chanting on board a Great Western train like this one on December 22

They also urged women who had been sexually assaulted on the train but had not yet reported the incident to come forward to police.

A full statement read: 'On 22 December a group of around 20 football fans boarded the 6.22pm Great Western Service from London Paddington and began to chant racially abusive comments in front of families and children.

'They were also seen to sexually assault a number of women on board the train.

'It is believed they were Chelsea fans. The group, who were all men, left the train at Worcester.

Jamie Vardy scored the only goal of the game as Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0 on December 22

'Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch so they can assist the investigation.

'In particular, they believe a number of women who were sexually assaulted are yet to come forward and they would like to encourage them to do so.'

Chelsea fans have been under heavy scrutiny of late, following the alleged racial abuse of Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling last month.

One Chelsea fan (circled) allegedly shouted racial abuse at Raheem Sterling in a shocking incident at Stamford Bridge earlier in December and was banned pending an investigation

The club have suspended four fans from matches pending a further investigation after a man was seen on TV allegedly calling Sterling a 'f****** black c***' during Chelsea's game against Manchester City.

Racist and antisemitic chanting was also heard at the Europa League clash against MOL Vidi, while some travelling fans were also photographed outside a bar in Budapest carrying a Chelsea Headhunters flag which featured a Nazi symbol.

In the aftermath of those incidents, club chairman Bruce Buck greeted fans in the away end at Brighton on December 16 to urge them to prevent any further episodes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference216 of 04/01/19.