Police have launched an appeal after a train was shot at, shattering the window of a carriage full of commuters.

One passenger described the terrifying moment the train was targeted - with the pellet striking the glass just inches from his head.

Trains were halted after the driver's cab was attacked with a suspected air rifle at about 6pm yesterday, when hundreds of commuters were making their way home from work.

There were no reported injuries, although one passenger was treated for shock. Dartford's MP Gareth Johnson has described the incident as "deeply concerning" and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

The affected train was the 17.06 service from Cannon Street to Gillingham.

A spokesman for the rail firm posted on Twitter: "Trains through Greenhithe are being delayed due to the driver's cab being shot at. We received a report of someone firing an air gun at a train."

A passenger on board at the time tweeted about the moment the pellet hit.

@Adam_W48 said: "So my evening almost ended in disaster! Shot at my cartridge behind drivers cab and was centimetres from my head!!

Responding to concerned tweeters, he said: "Thankfully I'm unhurt but when I was right next to this, centimetres, it shakes you up!!!

"They missed the driver and almost got me! Hope they catch the gits.

"Shock was an understatement, just getting ready to get up and get my stuff when I saw a flash then the noise, scary!!!

"I'm still shaking but I'm a tough cookie and will survive. Just too close to comfort! I started looking to see if I'd been hit. I could even pick out where it roughly came from as I was looking out the window before nearly losing my face."

He later told KentOnline: "It was a bit of a weird incident really, it was just between Stone Crossing and Greenhithe where I get off. I actually just moved there recently.

“It had been a really long day and I’d had my head rested up against the window. I looked up and saw this flash and a bang, it was like a firework had gone off and the shot had hit the window right where my head had been.

“There was maybe space for 15 or so people in the carriage I was in but only three or four people around. The reaction was of surprise more than anything.

“I saw an off duty Southeastern worker get off the train and go up to the driver to let them know what had happened. Then they called the police and the train was stopped for about 15 minutes or so.

“I happened to look out the window just before the shot and there are some sort of industrial factories. I guess the shot came from that sort of direction but I’ve only just moved and am still getting to know the area.”

British Transport Police launched an appeal for information today and condemned the attack.

A spokesman said the pellet had broken the outer skin of the window but had not entered the carriage.

"This sort of behaviour is extremely dangerous and this offence could have easily resulted in seriously injuring a passenger" - BTP spokesman

They continued: "Luckily no one was injured, but this could have been very serious.

“This sort of behaviour is extremely dangerous and this offence could have easily resulted in seriously injuring a passenger, not just considerable damage to the train, which as a result had to be taken out or service to be fixed.

“Those responsible are not only risking serious injury to passengers and staff, they are also risking an appearance in court and a criminal conviction."

The area was searched after the incident but no one was found.

Dartford MP Mr Johnson said today: “This is a deeply concerning incident which must have been terrifying for those affected. The consequences of this could have been far worse.

"I hope that anyone who can give information to the Police about the incident will get in touch with the British Transport Police so this person can be caught before it happens again.”

Southeastern spokesman Ben Ward told KentOnline: "The 1706 Cannon Street to Gillingham service was shot at between the Stone crossing and Greenhithe station at approximately 6pm.

"It hit the window of one of the carriages. It didn't break the glass but did impact on the outer film of the window.

"The train pulled into Greenhithe station. No one was injured but one passenger was badly shaken.

"The train was held for nine minutes at Greenhithe station. The affected carriage was taken out of use, with passengers being moved to another carriage.

"The train then continued on its journey to Gillingham. The incident is under investigation."

The shooting comes two weeks after a train was targetted by vandals near Maidstone.

The 2.38pm Ashford to London Victoria service had just left Barming on October 17 when stones were thrown at the carriage, causing the outer window to break.

British Transport Police carried out a search of the area but no arrests were made.

Passenger Lewis Baker, 30, said: "It happened very quickly. There was a loud crack noise and almost a bang as the outer glass shattered but luckily the inner glass remained intact."

angry that someone would be so stupid as to put anyone’s life at risk for such a stupid pointless act.""I'm

The train carried on its journey and was taken for repair at London Victoria.

Anyone with information about the Greenhithe attack is asked to contact BTP on 0800 405040 or text 61016 quoting incident 432 of 29/10/2015.