A school has temporarily closed for 'health and safety' reasons after a boy lost a finger reportedly fleeing bullies.
Raheem Bailey, 11, was allegedly attacked, beaten, kicked and pushed to the ground at Abertillery Learning Community in South Wales by a group of children at school on Tuesday, May 17.
Police issued a new statement about saying they are investigating.
A Go Fund Me page has also raised £88,500 in just three days to buy Raheem a prosthetic finger, reports Wales Online.
His mother, Shantal Bailey, said Raheem got his finger caught while climbing a fence during his attempt to flee from his tormenters, and it later had to be amputated. She said Raheem had been facing “racial and physical abuse”.
Shantal said Raheem has also been bullied about his height. The problems allegedly started when he joined the Abertillery Learning Community secondary school in September.
Police had previously said they were "working with the school as part of our ongoing inquiries" . And Gwent Police have now confirmed they are "currently investigating a report of an assault of an 11-year-old boy at a school in Abertillery on Tuesday 17 May".
In statement issued late on Sunday night on Twitter, Superintendent Vicki Townsend said: "Our officers are supporting and liaising closely with the family of the young boy who, when leaving the school grounds following the reported assault, received a serious injury to his hand as a result of it being caught in a fence.
"Since we received this report, on Wednesday, May 18, there has been significant interest and coverage of this. I would urge people to think about the impact their social media posts and commentary could have on those affected, as the police investigation continues. We’re working closely with the school and officers continue to carry out enquiries in the area.”
Anyone with any information that could help the ongoing police investigation can call the police on 101, quoting 2200165495, or DM them on twitter.
In a statement also issued on Sunday, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said that all campuses at Abertillery Learning Community would be closed on Monday.
The statement read: "Abertillery Learning Community is working with Gwent Police in relation to an ongoing investigation into an alleged assault on the secondary campus.
"All campuses at Abertillery Learning Community will be closed tomorrow on health and safety grounds. Learners will access blended learning for Monday, May 23.
"The safety and well-being of learners and staff remains of paramount importance to the Learning Community and the Local Authority at all times."
