Alleged hate crime condemned by school and leaders

St John Henry Newman Catholic School is working with authorities following an alleged racist hate crime against a student

School and council leaders have condemned "appalling events" that led to four boys being arrested over an alleged racist hate crime against a student.

A video circulating online appears to show a black teenage boy being pushed and punched by a white boy, before being made to kiss his shoes.

The incident, which happened on Friday, involved at least one child from Carlisle's St John Henry Newman Catholic School.

Deputy headteacher Declan McArdle said the school would "work tirelessly to address the root causes of such hateful behaviour".

Cumbria Constabulary has urged people not to share any video.

A joint statement from the school and Cumberland Council condemned the attack "in the strongest terms", adding it had "shocked" the whole community.

Mr McArdle said the actions of those concerned "fly in the face" of the school's Catholic ethos around inclusion, diversity and belonging.

"Our thoughts are with the boy himself, his family and friends, who the school and local authority are supporting in every way we can to recover from this very distressing incident," he added.

'Sickened'

Cumberland Council is working with the school, police and anti-racist organisations in the area to offer support and guidance to those affected.

The Labour-led authority said it was in "regular contact" with the victim and his family.

Council leader Mark Fryer said he was "extremely shocked and sickened".

"Our schools and communities should be inclusive and welcoming environments for all and there is absolutely no place in our society for such horrific and hateful acts," he added.

One teenager was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated actual bodily harm in the early hours of Saturday.

The three others were later arrested on suspicion of abetting racially aggravated actual bodily harm.

They were released on conditional bail on Monday, and a police investigation is continuing.

Temporary Supt Gill Cherry said the force was taking the incident "extremely seriously", and extra patrols had been deployed to the area.