OFFICERS are appealing for information after passengers were allegedly racially abused on a bus in Newcastle.

PC Michael Haggerty of Northumbria said: "A male and a female travelling separately were subjected to racist abuse on the number 10 Stagecoach bus service travelling on Westgate Road at around 18.25pm on Monday February 24.

"Both passengers were verbally abused and the male had a number of punches thrown at him, however he was not injured.

"Police are appealing to the public to identify a man they would like to trace who was on the bus at the time and may be able to assist officers with the investigation."

He added: “This incident has left two people feeling ostracised and upset after being subjected to racial abuse.

“We take these incidents very seriously and are determined to make sure this kind of behaviour is dealt with.

“There is no place for racism in Newcastle and we are treating this incident as a hate crime.”

The man, or anyone who knows him should contact police via the online form on the Tell us something section of the Northumbria Police website quoting log 908 24/02/20.