A COMMUTER who stood up for passengers on a tram was bashed and threatened.

About 9.30pm on Sunday, a man in his 20s was making violent threats and stretching out across two seats on the Flemington Road tram.

A passenger stepped in and told the man to stop harassing people and then he was assaulted several times.

Bystanders intervened and before the man got off the tram, he grabbed the victim’s glasses and deliberately broke them in half.

The victim was taken to hospital and was treated for his injuries.

Police are looking for the violent man and said he was of African appearance and 183 centimetres tall.

He has a thin build and black shaved hair.

Police say at the time of the attack he was wearing a cap, a light brown jacket and dark coloured pants.

They also believe somebody filmed the incident and witnesses would have information.

Anybody with knowledge of the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.