Home Secretary Suella Braverman expresses ‘concern’ after police recorded a ‘hate incident’ at school where pupils caused ‘slight damage’ to a copy of the Quran when it fell on the floor
- Humanists UK called the decision to suspend the four boys ‘horrendous’
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has expressed her concern after police recorded a ‘hate incident’ at a school after pupils caused ‘slight damage’ to a copy of the Quran when it fell on the floor.
West Yorkshire Police became involved after a Year 10 boy, who is said to be autistic, was told by friends to bring in a copy of the Muslim holy book as a forfeit for losing a video game.
It was then damaged after apparently being dropped, causing some damage to the pages.
False rumours the book had been burnt prompted concern among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police during a meeting at the local mosque.
All four pupils at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield, West Yorkshire were suspended and the police informed.
A source close to Suella Braverman questioned whether the police response was ‘proportionate’
Officers found there had been only ‘minor damage’ to the Quran during the prank and that no crime had been committed.
However, it was recorded as a ‘non-crime hate incident’, a designation the police use to record those not meeting the criminal threshold.
Headmaster Tudor Griffiths said there had been ‘no malicious intent’ but the pupils’ actions were ‘unacceptable’ because they ‘did not treat the Quran with the respect it should have’.
A source close to Ms Braverman told The Times: ‘These are very concerning reports.
‘The home secretary is clear that the police response should always be proportionate and consider the welfare of young children as a priority over any perceived insults.’
Humanists UK called the decision to suspend the boys ‘horrendous’ and said the school had allowed itself to be ‘pressured into excessive disciplinary action by a religious group’.
West Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are aware of local and national concerns following an incident at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield last week.
West Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are aware of local and national concerns following an incident at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield last week’
‘Police were made aware on the evening of Thursday, 23 February, of an incident that had occurred at the school earlier that day.
‘Initial enquiries confirmed that minor damage was caused to a religious text.
‘We have recorded a hate incident, but from our enquiries are satisfied that no criminal offences were committed.
‘A report was also made of a malicious communications offence in relation to threats being made to a child in connection with this incident.
‘A suspect was identified, who was also a child, and they were given words of advice by an officer.
‘We are continuing to liaise with the school and our neighbourhood officers are conducting additional reassurance patrols in the area.’
The school is ten miles from Batley Grammar School, which was the focus of parent protests in 2021 after a teacher was suspended for showing his pupils an image of the prophet Muhammad.
False rumours the book had been burnt prompted concern among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police during a meeting at the local mosque. File pic
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