Police board school buses after racism complaints

Police are to board buses in a bid to protect schoolgirls from racist abuse, it was revealed today.

It comes after complaints from Muslim students at Holly Lodge Girls' College in West Derby, Liverpool.

The youngsters have told how they are targeted for abuse because of their veils.

Merseyside Police said the force will be putting community support officers on buses which operate routes near to the school.

A spokeswoman said: "Officers from our dedicated hate crime investigation team, Sigma, and from our Diversity team, meet regularly with representatives from our Muslim communities and during a recent meeting these concerns were raised with us.

"In response we will be putting police community support officers on public buses during the periods that these incidents are happening in order to reassure passengers and deter would-be offenders, and CCTV will be routinely checked following allegations of any criminal offence."

The force added its school liaison officers will also be tackling issues of racism with local schools.

Holly Lodge headteacher Julia Tinsley told the Liverpool Daily Post: "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."

The pupils also said bus drivers are refusing to stop for them.

A spokesman for Merseytravel, the region's passenger transport authority, said it would not tolerate racism on the network but added it has not received any complaints.