'Geordie Angels' thanked for defending Muslim sisters

A Muslim woman from Newcastle has thanked fellow train passengers for rallying to her rescue when a man shouted abuse at her and her sister.

Ruhi Rehman, 23, said she had been travelling on Newcastle's Metro transit system to Whitley Bay on Saturday afternoon when a man came over and told her to get out of her seat because it was "his country".

When other passengers began to intervene, he even suggested that she might "bomb the train".

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Rehman said she was shocked at first because she didn't know what was happening but, before she could respond, the women beside her were standing up to the man.

One witness said the offender was "quite intimidating and was screaming in a really violent way", but other people jumped to Rehman's defence and made it clear they would not stand for his type of behaviour.

According to the Evening Chronicle, a group of men demanded the man leave the Metro at the next station and the carriage erupted into applause when he left.

Rehman thanked the passengers for turning "something so negative into something so positive" and described them as "angels" for defending her and her sister.

"We came as one unity, stood up against what is wrong. I was so overwhelmed and still am with all your support," she said. "Geordies are truly the best! So much love and support."

Metro operator DB Regio Tyne and Wear has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police. A spokeswoman added: "The safety of our passengers is paramount. I can assure customers that incidents of this nature are rare on Metro and they will not be tolerated.

"A police investigation into this matter is now underway and we will work with them to help trace those responsible," she said.