Police probe racist bullying claim at Stockport school

Police are investigating claims of racist bullying at a school.

Khadeja Fahat, 13, has now left Bramhall High in Stockport claiming she was targeted by bullies more than 30 times since September. The Year Eight pupil claims other children called her racist names, tipped out the contents of her bag, vandalised her school work and, on one occasion, punched her. Her mum, Saiqa Shabir, claims the school has refused to tackle the problem and has reported the alleged bullying to the police.

Greater Manchester Police confirm they have recorded Khadeja’s complaint as a hate crime and plan to visit the school, which insists it has fully investigated the claims and has done everything to support her.

Mrs Shabir, a Muslim of Pakistani origin, said: “I feel my daughter has been robbed of her education. We can’t believe that in the 21st century this has happened. The school has not done enough to stop it happening. The attitude is if those responsible apologise afterwards then it is all okay. The school is letting my daughter down. This whole thing has left her very insecure and withdrawn. She used to be a bright confident young girl.”

Manchester Evening News, 13 April 2011