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A Huddersfield school at the centre of a horrific 'waterboarding' attack on a pupil has called in police to investigate.

Video footage being widely shared on social media shows a boy, thought to be a Syrian refugee and pupil at Almondbury Community School, being headbutted and throttled by a larger boy on a playing field.

After the footage prompted outrage the headteacher confirmed police had been called in.

Headteacher Trevor Bowen said: "The safety and welfare of students is of paramount importance to us and this was a very serious incident.

"We are not able to comment further as we are supporting the police with their investigation but I want to be clear that we do not tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any sort in our school."

And late last night West Yorkshire Police confirmed they had spoken to a teenager in connection with the attack.

Superintendent Steve Dodds, of West Yorkshire Police Kirklees District, said: “We are investigating a report of a racially-aggravated assault of a 15-year-old boy which occurred on playing fields at Almondbury Community School at about 1pm on October 25.

“A 16-year-old boy has been interviewed by voluntary attendance in connection with the incident and we are continuing to progress the investigation.”

The video, seemingly filmed by a friend of the attacker, shows a boy with his arm already in a plaster cast being targeted on the school field.

It shows the bully approaching the much smaller child, butting him, dragging him to the floor by his neck and then pinning him down by his throat.

He then tries to force water from a bottle in his mouth, shouting: "I'll drown you".

The victim, reportedly a 16-year-old Syrian refugee who came to Huddersfield two years ago, twists away from the attempt to 'waterboard' him and calmly walks away.

(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

It is thought the incident occurred more than a month ago but it has now been shared thousands of times on Facebook by people angry at a perceived lack of action by school chiefs. Others have said it has been dealt with and the attacker permanently excluded.

The video has been viewed more than 27,000 times and attracted hundreds of comments of disgust from Huddersfield parents.

Most dubbed the bully "pathetic" with some calling for the police to be involved.

Video of alleged attack on Almondbury schoolboy goes viral The moment an Almondbury schoolboy was dragged to the ground by his throat and doused with water was filmed - and the video went viral immediately

The school said it had called West Yorkshire Police - and last night the force said it was investigating a report of a racially aggravated assault.

A GoFundMe page was set up on the night the video went viral, with £30,000 being raised overnight

The alleged attacker has been summonsed to court and will be charged 'in due course', say West Yorkshire Police

A source has said the outrage at the incident had prompted members of the community to club together to raise cash to bring a legal case against the school.

The source says the family are hoping to move away from Huddersfield because of the sustained abuse of the boy and his sister.

A solicitor has written a letter to the school which makes a number of claims and accuses school leaders of failing in their duty of care to the child and his sister, who is also allegedly being bullied.

(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

It is thought the siblings had fled from war torn Homs in Syria with family members fleeing for their lives to Lebanon before being re-settled in Huddersfield in 2016 as part of the official intake by the government.

ExaminerLive put all these claims to Kirklees council who responded with the comment from the headteacher confirming the police are now involved.

They also issued a statement on Twitter which said: "A police investigation is underway into the video from a local school. Neither us nor the school condone violence in any form and behaviour like this will not be tolerated."

Many condemned the attack.

One wrote: "This bully and his friends need to be brought to account. They should be charged with assault and inciting."

Another wrote on our Facebook page: "Charge him with assault. He’s over 10 and knows the consequences of his actions. Then that might teach him a lesson."

One other reader said: "I can’t put into words how upsetting and sickening this is! My heart hurts. I hope and pray this stops. This young boy deserves better. Say no to bullying!!!!!!!!!! I have emailed the school for immediate action to be taken!"

The incident was also tweeted at West Yorkshire Police by George Galloway who wrote: "Dear WestYorksPolice I refer this to you for investigation. It appears to show a young Syrian refugee boy being brutally assaulted at Almondbury High School in Huddersfield. It is alleged that this boy is being regularly bullied ( and I note his arm is in a cast in the video)."

And Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman tweeted: "I immediately contacted Shabir Pandor Leader of Kirklees Council on seeing this sickening video this level of violence cannot be tolerated."

He also wrote: "Video of assault against one of my constituents absolutely shocking. Have been supporting the family since it was first brought to my attention. Understand from council that the school have taken strong action. Will be following up to ensure all available support is being given!"