A SOLIHULL borough mum has spoken out about her children’s ‘racial abuse’ nightmare after months of being subject to alleged hate crimes on their school bus.
She says her young daughters, aged six and nine, have been the victims of a campaign of racism by their fellow schoolchildren.
Police and Solihull Council are now investigating.
The mother of two says she was shocked to hear that her older daughter had been ‘too scared’ to reveal the alleged abuse until she broke down and opened up.
Their fearful mum claims her daughters – who attend a Solihull borough school we have decided not to name – have been abused by older pupils on the school bus since the family moved to the area in December last year.
Her older daughter says she fears the 20 minute bus journey to school.
Speaking to the Observer, their mum said she has had to resort to taking her daughters out of school.
She added: “I am absolutely disgusted by this abuse. In this day and age! I feel as if I have gone back in time.
“My children feel intimidated at school. They love school but they don’t want to go because they are fearing reprisals.
“It makes you think, is it just this community?”
A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: “Police are investigating a report of several incidents of hate crime on a school bus in Solihull between Saturday, December 1 last year and Saturday, March 9.
“It is alleged that a group of schoolchildren have been racially abusing a nine-year-old girl on a number of occasions and enquiries continue.”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “Concern has been raised to the council about individuals who are in positions of trust in respect of children. A process is now underway to look into the matter, in line with statutory requirements.”
The mother has thanked the school’s headteacher for their help and understanding.
The school’s head told us it “strongly condemns any form of abuse”, adding: “I can reassure parents that any verbal, written or other abuse is not tolerated at this school.
“Once this incident was brought to my notice the children were spoken to and the police and parents informed.
“I have also spoken to Solihull Council regarding the school bus service and the role of chaperones.
“We try to foster a tolerant, loving and caring environment at the school.
“It has made us even more determined to equip our pupils with an understanding of what discrimination is, why it is unacceptable and how to combat it.
“While we await the outcome of the police investigation, we are reminding children, our parents and the wider school community of our policies regarding behaviour and code of conduct.”
Anyone with information should contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote crime reference 20SH/59937U/19.
