A WOMAN was religiously abused by a man in his 50s while she was travelling on a bus in Bournemouth.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was travelling on the top deck of the M1 Morebus from St Peter’s Road to Castlepoint between 10.30am and 11.30am on Monday, May 13.

During the journey a man shouted religious abuse at the woman before they both left the bus at the stop for Castlepoint in Castle Lane West.

The man is described as aged in his 50s, of slim build, with a short, stubbly beard and scruffy, long hair.

He was wearing a light-coloured jacket at the time of the incident.

Police constable John Barron, of Bournemouth police, said: “We take reports of hate crime seriously and will do all we can to support victims and identify potential offenders.

“We are following all available lines of enquiry into this incident, which occurred on a busy Monday morning when there were lots of fellow commuters present on the bus.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed this incident occur, or has information about who was responsible, to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240071160. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.