The Wi-Fi system, which is managed by communications group Telent, was quickly taken offline after passengers said a message was displayed which referred to terror attacks.

“We received reports at around 5.03pm yesterday of a cyber attack displaying Islamophobic messaging on some Network Rail Wi-Fi services,” British transport police said.

Tensions in Britain flared over the summer with a wave of anti-Muslim riots across the country after the killing of three young girls, an attack which was initially falsely blamed on an Islamist migrant following online misinformation.

The police said they were working with Network Rail to investigate the Islamophobic cyber security incident “at pace”.

Network Rail, the group which manages tracks and train hubs, said the Wi-Fi remained offline today following the incident at 19 stations including London Bridge and London Euston as well as Manchester Piccadilly and Edinburgh Waverley.

It said that given the nature of the service provided, it did not believe any personal data had been impacted by the hack.

“Once our final security checks have been completed we anticipate the service will be restored by the weekend,” Network Rail said.

Telent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.