June 5, 2018 10.21 am This story is over 84 months old

Hijab school girl suffers constant abuse

Abused by drivers and passers by for wearing a hijab
Pupils at the bus stop on Cross O'Cliff Hill near to The Priory Academy LSST. Photo: Google Street View

A young Lincoln girl wearing Muslim head covering has been allegedly racially abused constantly over several months by passing motorists and pedestrians on her journey to and from school.

The student from The Priory Academy LSST walks to school and back along Cross O’Cliff Hill and the lower High Street, where she has been reportedly shouted at by people in passing cars and walking past.

The regular abuse is allegedly due to her appearance because she wears a hijab, which is a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.

Lincolnshire Police are treating the abuse as racist or a religious hate crime and believe it is being aimed at the young girl out of hostility or prejudice based on her race or religion.

Community Beat Manager for Lincoln PC Luke Casey said: “This has been happening over a number of months now.

“This is unacceptable in our community and I appeal for anyone who has witnessed or witnesses any racial abuse aimed at this young girl to get in touch.

“I ask if other parents would accept this behaviour if it happened to their own child?

“Our society does not accept this happening to our friends and family and this must stop.

“I have policed this area for many years and I know the community will not tolerate singling out a young girl because of her religious beliefs.

“We all have a part to play to identify who is responsible and allow this student to walk to and from school without being in fear.”

Academy Headteacher Mrs Jane Hopkinson added: “It is absolutely unacceptable that a young girl is walking in fear on her way to and from school because of racist behaviour in our community.

“We will support the police in any way we can in order to help them identify those responsible.”

Anyone walking in the vicinity who heard or witnessed the abuse should contact police on 101 or email [email protected] quoting reference number 208 of May 9.

It can also be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.