This is the moment a middle-aged man vaulted over a train station wall in a failed bid to flee cops.

British Transport Police were called following reports that a man had assaulted a security guard at Laindon railway station in Essex during Thursday evening's rush hour.

Clambering onto a sign, the man - wearing a black t-shirt and jeans - managed to climb over onto the platform without appearing to pay for a ticket.

He then fixed his glasses as he jumped onto the train tracks and attempted to scarper.

But he was caught by police just a few minutes later.

A 20-year-old post worker from Laindon, who recorded the video to share on social media, said: "I heard commotion going on.

"There was security at the train station trying to contain three people.

"Two of them jumped the ticket barriers, got onto a train to London and this guy was left on his own.

"He didn't get very far and police caught him two minutes down the road."

The man, who gave his name only as Ben, added: "He definitely seemed aggressive and looked like he had assaulted the station staff."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Laindon station at 5.20pm on Thursday following reports that a man had assaulted a security guard.

“The man then made off from staff by running across the train tracks.”

He added: “A 44-year-old man from Romford was arrested in the nearby area on suspicious of trespass and common assault.

“He remains in police custody.”