Racist abuse of Glasgow primary pupils reported as hate crime

Vile online racial abuse aimed at Glasgow primary school pupils photographed with the First Minister has been reported to police as a hate crime.

Disgusting social media messages are being investigated after being posted in response to a photo of pupils from multi-cultural St Albert's Primary School with Nicola Sturgeon.

The First Minister has since tweeted her disgust at the comments her visit received.

Clare Harker, Head teacher at St Albert's Primary in Maxwell Drive, did not hesitate to inform police of the sickening online abuse and feels strongly that everyone must stand up to hate crime.

"Shocked and horrified"

She said: "We were shocked and horrified by the abuse posted in response to a photo of children in one of our classes. Thankfully the pupils in the photo are unaware of the online abuse as they're so young, but all the teachers and parents are appalled.

"Thank-you to everyone, including the First Minister, for their messages of support for the children and school. Their kind words have helped reaffirm our faith in human beings following the disgusting online abuse.

"People should not be afraid to report hate crime. It is very important that, when it happens, we all do so. In our experience, the police will treat it very seriously. We had officers in the school yesterday and it sends out a very clear message to our older pupils and our wider community that no-one should tolerate abuse - it must be reported."

"We do not tolerate hate crime"

Councillor Christina Cannon, Glasgow's Convener for Education and Equalities, said: "Glasgow is proud to be an inclusive city enriched by its diversity. Our slogan is People Make Glasgow and that means all people. We do not tolerate hate crime and I encourage anyone who witnesses it or experiences it to report it either to the police or via a Third Party Reporting Centre.

"I'm proud that Glasgow is working with a wide range of partners including inter-faith, disability groups and the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Club to highlight Hate Crime Awareness Week. Sadly, the online abuse aimed at children in one of our primary schools is a sickening reminder of precisely why everyone needs to stand up to hate crime."

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