A church campaign group for racial justice has called on the Home Secretary for answers after a violent attack on a black teenager outside a secondary school.
The incident – which led to the arrest of two adults and three children– was filmed and shared on social media after it happened in Surrey.
A relative of the girl told the Mirror newspaper that no one had taken the victim home afterwards. She was allowed to go to a friend’s house to contact her family.
The Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (RJAF), which was established after the murder of George Floyd and is part of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, wrote to Suella Braverman demanding answers to questions about the support being offered, and the procedures being followed.
In the letter, Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts, co-chair of RJAF said: “Given the national importance and urgency of this matter, the RJAF would be grateful if you, or the Education Secretary, can share further information on the safeguarding practices that are in place to protect black and brown students from the risk of racist abuse and the level of mandatory racial justice training with which school staff are required to engage.”
Thomas Knyvett College, where the incident happened, issued a statement which said: “There was a serious assault on Monday 6 February 2023 on the junction of Salcombe Road and Stanwell Road close to Thomas Knyvett College, soon after the end of the school day.
'The Police were called, and they have made a number of arrests in connection with this incident, and their investigation is ongoing.
‘We are all appalled at the nature of this attack and the harm done to one of our students. Such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our thoughts are with the child and family concerned, and we are working with partner agencies ensuring they have the necessary support in place.
‘The Howard Partnership Trust, of which Thomas Knyvett College is a part, is aware this incident has caused distress in communities. In taking this situation extremely seriously, we are working with the Police and all other agencies involved to undertake a thorough review. We continue to ask for time and your support while the investigations are ongoing.”
