Merseyside police last night said community police officers would now board buses in the area to deter the racism and would work with city schools to remind pupils “racial abuse is a criminal offence.” But police stressed the issue of drivers failing to stop for the girls was a matter for Merseytravel. Merseytravel said it condemned “all acts of racism” and, after probing the claims, has “now drawn up an action plan to deal with and prevent any further incidents”. It was not, however, able to release details of the measures which might be implemented. Members of the Muslim community said the problem was a long-running one. Amina Ismail was approached by Holly Lodge pupils while overseeing a widening participation event for Hope University last year. Ms Ismail, now employed by Liverpool John Moores University, said: “They said people driving past were being abusive because they were wearing the hijab (head scarf) at the bus stops on Queens Drive or West Derby Road.” She said bus drivers refusing to stop were “cowardly” and that “they should not push their own personal prejudices on young people.” And with pupils now frequently travelling farther afield to the school of their choice, she urged people to “see past the scarf or skin colour and look beyond this”.
Around 10% of the 1,274 Holly Lodge pupils on roll are from ethnic minorities, and the school has won praise from Ofsted for its “promotion of equality and diversity”. Head teacher Julia Tinsley said: “There have been a small number of cases where ignorant people have directed racist comments at our pupils while they are on buses. It is completely unacceptable and very upsetting for those involved and we have provided support to those affected. “We welcome the assistance from Merseyside Police in tackling the mindless minority who think it is acceptable to make racist comments.” Merseyside Police Authority committee member and city councillor, Paul Clein, said any driver deliberately failing to stop was “guilty of racism and bullying”. But Colin Carr, regional advisor for the North West branch of giant union Unite – whose members include bus drivers – said he would be surprised if they were failing to stop. “The union would condemn this kind of action, and equality and diversity is something we promote across the spectrum,” he said. A Merseyside police spokesman said the force was committed to tackling racism and added: “We will be putting police community support officers on public buses during the periods these incidents are happening to reassure passengers and deter would-be offenders. CCTV will be routinely checked following allegations of any criminal offence.” The police are also looking at ways for people to anonymously pass on information so they could catch the culprits.
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