A SCHOOL is working with police after parents reported they were being racially abused when dropping off and picking up their children.

Headteacher of Haslam Park Primary School says no parent should have to face being harassed outside the school gates after parents said they have been threatened while with their children with racial slurs being directed at them.

Police have been present outside the school this week to try and clamp down on the shocking anti-social behaviour.

A group of more than a dozen parents, many of whom are refugees, say they have faced the abuse for many years when taking their children to and from school.

Parents say they have raised the issue with both the police and the school.

The school’s head said they are working in partnership to ensure parents are no longer subject to harassment at these drop off and pick up times.

Officers have been present outside the school some days this week to try and clamp down on the issue, which affected parents have said has helped to make a difference.

Headteacher Kati-Anne Roughley, said: “Every parent has the right to drop off and collect their child from school without fear of harassment.

“We are working with Greater Manchester Police to ensure that can happen and we ask everyone in our school community to remain calm.”

One of the affected parents, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Bolton News: “This sort of abuse, especially over race, should not be happening outside of a primary school.

“It’s absolutely shocking. It’s been happening to some parents for nearly 10 years who’ve had a few of their children go to the school.

“Some of the language that gets used is sickening. These are just parents trying to give their children a good education, and now they are scared. going to school everyday.

“It’s really affecting their mental health, it’s a lot of trauma for the kids and parents. Many are refugees and don’t speak a lot of English so don’t understand why this is happening in this country. They are very scared.

“The amount of times this has happened is shocking, parents of black children should not feel unsafe dropping their kids off at school.”

Chief Inspector of GMP's Bolton District, Mike Russell said: "We can confirm we are working with Haslam Park Primary School following one report of assault.
"Hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated on our streets and we encourage anyone who experiences hate crime or racism of to report it to us on 101 or online at www.gmp.police.uk
"We appreciate the reports of this behaviour are alarming and distressing, and we want to reassure the public that our local neighbourhood team is continuing to patrol the area while our investigation is ongoing."