Parents in Essex are removing their children from lessons about Islam and preventing them from visiting mosques on school trips, a report published by a local government has found.

The paper makes recommendations on how religious education in Thurrock could be revitalised to improve "community integration, locally, regionally and nationally".

The report, written by a body that advises on RE in schools, reveals that parents "have objected to the teaching of Islam and withdrawn children from lessons and visits to places of worship."

It adds: "The outcome for those children, who arguably are those that most need to be taught about Islam, are no longer being taught about it."

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) report for Thurrock, a former Ukip stronghold, added: "It is not clear whether or not this is a widespread issue in Thurrock, but it is clear that SACRE needs to investigate."


A separate report, the Thurrock community safety partnership strategic assessment, found the highest number of hate crime offences in the area have been against Muslim victims.

The national census of 2011 reported Muslims make up only 2.01% of the population of the local authority area.

Thurrock also registered the fourth-highest Leave vote in the EU referendum, with 72.3% voting to exit the bloc.

In January last year, all 17 Ukip councillors in Thurrock resigned from the party and formed a new group, Thurrock Independents. Ten of this group remain sitting councillors.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers warned last year that parents were abusing the right to withdraw their children from religious education lessons due to their prejudices and urged the government to step in.