There has been a 14% rise in hate crimes committed against children, according to new figures.

Data from 41 UK police forces found 5,349 offences with a racial, religious or faith-based element where the target was under 18 in 2016/17.

This was compared to 4,695 reported the previous year.

The numbers were obtained by the NSPCC through Freedom of Information requests.

The charity said its Childline service conducted 2,699 counselling sessions with young people about race or faith-based bullying between 2014/15 and 2016/17.


Some children said the abuse they were experiencing was so bad that they were self-harming, while others said they were reluctant to go to school because they were worried about the bullying.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless, said: "It's heartbreaking to think that some children are targeted by bullies because of their race, culture or nationality.

"Racist jokes and negative stereotyping can be hurtful and leave young people feeling isolated and ashamed of who they are or where they are from."

Dame Esther Rantzen, president of Childline, said: "Bullying of any kind is vile, but targeting someone because of the colour of their skin, religious beliefs or their accent is simply unacceptable.

"Children are taking on board prejudices around race and religion in society and trading them as playground insults, with extremely harmful results."

The figures come as Childline launches Understand Me, a campaign encouraging young people to ask for help if they suffer racial bullying and discrimination.

Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11, while adults concerned about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.