A Black girl attacked outside a Surrey school is not eating or talking much in the aftermath of the incident, a relative has said.
The girl, and another 15-year-old girl, were set upon by a number of people outside Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford on Monday afternoon, in what police are treating as a “serious racially aggravated assault”.
Five people, including two 11-year-old girls, have been arrested.
After footage of the incident was circulated on social media, furious parents and members of the public arranged a protest at the school on Wednesday afternoon.
"Enough is enough," the people say. Here @ Thomas Knyvett College protest in Ashford, following the brutal attack on a Black schoolgirl by a gang of white people. Hundreds were in attendance to show solidarity. pic.twitter.com/EuaFvjE3vp
— Nadine White. (@Nadine_Writes) February 8, 2023
A cousin of the young Black victim, who drove from Northampton to Surrey to take part, told Sky News the girl is still in pain and is eating and talking less than usual.
“They took nine braids - when you look [at her scalp] you can see the dots where the braids came out,” said the girl’s cousin.
The girl later went to hospital to receive medical treatment for her injuries.
Her cousin told Sky News she believes the young victim “was failed” by those who did not come to her aid, and criticised the response of the school’s head teacher.
In the video clip, passersby can be seen watching the events unfold but appear not to intervene.
“Two minutes and nobody came out,” said the girl’s cousin. “That’s the main painful part for me.”
The incident ends when Thomas Knyvett College principal Richard Beeson and another man appear at the scene - less than 100 metres from the school.
Mr Beeson can be heard in the video saying: “Can we let go please? Thank you.” The attackers then disperse.
But Mr Beeson’s response has been widely criticised by those who describe it as “nonchalant and non-urgent”.
More than 60,000 people have signed a petition calling for his response to be investigated.
A member of the girl’s family also told the Mirror on Wednesday that the victim was “very lost” and “very sad” following the attack, but that “her morale has been boosted” by the huge public outcry.
Demanding action, she told the newspaper: “I want them to get rid of those teachers [in the video]. I want them to present us with their anti-racism policy.”
Brit Award-winning rapper Dave is also among those calling for action to be taken.
He wrote to his 865,000 Twitter followers: “Don’t make this weird @ThomasKnyvett cause we will wait outside of your college grounds till every member of staff in this video is sacked. DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE WE FORCE YOU TO.”
Surrey Police said on Wednesday that four people - a 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, and two 11-year-old girls - have been arrested on suspicion of attempted racially aggravated GBH following the attack.
The 39-year-old and a 43-year-old man have also been arrested on suspicion of child neglect, and “intentionally encouraging and assisting the commission of an indictable only offence”.
“You touch one, you touch all” - protests outside Ashford’s Thomas Knyvett College pic.twitter.com/49BJy2QKiU
— The Voice Newspaper (@TheVoiceNews) February 8, 2023
The 16-year-old girl was also arrested on suspicion of malicious communications.
Officers are also keen to speak to a 15-year-old girl, who has so far evaded police.
“She knows she is wanted in connection with this incident, and we encourage her to hand herself in to her nearest police station,” said the force.
Following the incident, a letter was sent out to parents by Mr Beeson.
“We would like to reassure you that the police were called and are currently investigating. We are supporting the police as they investigate this matter,” he said.
Thomas Knyvett College has been approached by the Standard for further comment.
Any images of video of the incident can be uploaded to Surrey Police’s evidence portal here. Anyone who was in the Salcombe Road area between 2pm and 3pm on Monday, or who has information about the incident, is asked to contact the police quoting PR/45230014226, either through the Surrey Police website, online chat, or by calling 101.
