THE number of pupils excluded for racist abuse in schools in Blackburn with Darwen has increased putting the authority in the top five in the country.

Figures show 10 pupils were excluded for racist abuse in 2014/15 compared with nine the year before and eight in 2012/13.

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Blackburn with Darwen was shown to have the fifth highest proportion of fixed exclusions due to racist abuse in the country at 2.86 per cent. This compares to a national rate of 1.31 per cent.

In Lancashire, there were 60 pupils excluded for racist abuse in schools in 2014/15, which fell from 68 the year before. In 2012/13 49 pupils were excluded for racist abuse.

The figures refer to fixed period exclusions. No pupils were permanently excluded for racist abuse in either Blackburn with Darwen or Lancashire.

Faz Patel, an advisor on community cohesion, encouraged pupils to report any incidents.

He said: “We do not have a big problem in Blackburn, however it is a disturbing statistic.

“I hope schools can play a positive role in making sure pupils are educated on this.

“I think it is good students are reporting it and I urge them to report any hate crime to schools. It should not be tolerated by anyone.”

Abdul Qureshi, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, described the figures as a ‘sad story’.

He said: “Blackburn is a good town and this does not reflect the exact situation. It is not a racist town and it is unfortunate that these figures are not reflecting that.”

Hussain Akhtar, mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, said it was a worry.

“We have good people in Lancashire and we should work together with parents to come up with a solution,” he said.

“We should work hard to eradicate these incidents and parents should be aware of what their children are doing.”

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT union, said schools had a vital role to play in promoting social cohesion and the development of safe, inclusive and tolerant communities.

She said: “Teachers tell us that in too many schools discrimination and prejudice, including racism, is not being tackled effectively and that there is a failure to take seriously discrimination and prejudice-related bullying and abuse.

“A whole school approach to tackling inequality and discrimination for pupils and school staff is critical to ensuring that all children and young people can achieve their best.”