RACISM should not be tolerated in the town, says a woman who was subjected to abuse on a bus.

Now she is urging people to unite against ignorance.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, was travelling on the number 16 Thamesdown Transport bus from Fleming Way on December 11 when a man unleashed a torrent of racist abuse directed at the Muslim faith.

Wiltshire Police are investigating the incident after the woman said she was terrified by the man’s outburst.

“He was aggressive and it was frightening," she said.

"It made me so angry that someone could say those things about the Muslim faith, it was embarrassing.

“I couldn’t believe it, that someone could say, let alone think that.”

She was also left in a state of disbelief that during the entire incident no one intervened.

Thamesdown Transport has said it did not receive any complaints from other passengers travelling on the number 16 at the time.

“It shocked me that so many people are happy to let that behaviour and aggression and small-mindedness continue,” said the woman.

“So many people just carried on their daily lives and didn’t care that there are people actively promoting the hatred of anyone in a certain religion,” she said.

The woman urged residents to stand up to racism and show a zero-tolerance policy.

“If we don’t say anything or stand up to it, or educate small minded people, then it’s going to continue," she said.

“We might not change their minds, but we can definitely let them know that that behaviour is not tolerated and whatever their views are, keep it to yourself.

“How are we supposed to stay united and overcome terrorism and hatred if we let people like this ostracise and publicly humiliate and openly judge an entire race based on the actions of a few people who misinterpreted the Quran? It’s disgusting.”

A police spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident on a bus in Swindon, after a woman was verbally abused.

“The incident happened on Friday, 11 December, 2015 on the number 16 Thamesdown Transport bus, which leaves Fleming Way at 5.50pm.

“A man became racially abusive towards the woman on the bus soon after it had left its stop.

“The man is described as black, broadly built, 6ft 3ins, with short, possibly shaved hair, bulgy eyes and he spoke with a ‘non-British’ accent.

“He was wearing a hoody and jeans. He got on the bus with another man who is described as slim.

“We would like to speak to anyone who was on that bus that evening or anyone who saw the offender getting on or off the bus.

“This type of verbal abuse is harmful and upsetting to the victim.

"Although she wasn’t physically harmed, she was shaken by the language used and aggressiveness displayed by the offender.

If you have information call PC Jonathan Brunt via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

Thamesdown Transport’s commercial director Peter Oliver said: “The safety and comfort of our passengers is very important to us.

“We are co-operating with the police in their investigations.”