A TEENAGE girl was fired racist abuse and spat on by a young male after coming to her mother's defence on a tram.

On Saturday, a 17-year-old girl was travelling with her family on a tram from Victoria to Oldham when a young man approached her mother.

The girl was attempting to intervene when the boy, who was part of a group of teens, turned his attention towards her.

This abuse continued until the tram reached Newton Heath and Moston tram stop where the boy spat at her before exiting the tram with the rest of the group.

The family remained on the tram and called for police assistance. Greater Manchester Police has now issued an appeal for any information relating to the incident.

The offender has been described as black, around 5ft 6ins tall, in his mid-teens with an afro style haircut. He was wearing a black hooded top with a hat underneath the hood.

Chief Inspector Denise Pye, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “This was a horrific and unprovoked attack on a family who were enjoying their Saturday evening together before being subjected to a barrage of racial abuse.

“People should be free to go about their lives without abuse and hate and we are treating this incident incredibly seriously. Eradicating hate crime will always be one of our top priorities as there is absolutely no tolerance of hate in our communities.

“Our detectives are currently supporting the victims at this incredibly distressing time and our investigation is progressing at speed. Forensic enquiries are ongoing and officers are working alongside Metrolink to obtain the best quality CCTV.

“We are working to provide pictures of people we are keen to speak to as part of our enquiries and would appeal directly to the person responsible to get in touch. We would also encourage anyone who he was travelling with at the time to contact police.

“We know a number of people witnessed this attack and are grateful to those who tried to intervene and record footage for us. We would urge these people and anyone else with any information or footage of the incident to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 6460 quoting incident number 2015 of 30/01/2019.

Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.