Four teenagers arrested after video shows racial abuse of schoolboy in Carlisle

Four teenage boys have been arrested in connection with racial abuse of a black schoolboy that was filmed and shared on social media.

Cumbria police said the images circulating online were abhorrent and the incident in the Upperby area of Carlisle was being treated as a hate crime.

The distressing video shows the schoolboy being taunted, pushed and punched by a white boy before being made to kiss his shoes.

The incident took place on Friday. After the video was shared thousands of times Cumbria police said they had arrested a teenage boy “in relation to a report of a hate incident”.

On Saturday afternoon the force said three more boys had been arrested.

In a statement Cumbria police said: “Officers responded last night [Friday] following a report of a racially aggravated hate incident and concerns in the community after images were circulated online.

“Those arrested are four boys in their early teens, all from Carlisle. One was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated actual bodily harm. The other three were arrested on suspicion of abetting racially aggravated actual bodily harm.”

Because arrests had been made police asked people to refrain from sharing the video further.

Supt Sarah Jones said: “These are abhorrent images circulating online that have caused shock and concern in both the community and among officers here at Cumbria police.

“We understand an incident such as this can be concerning for many but we can reassure the community this is an incident we are taking very seriously – and we have made four arrests.

“Our officers have worked through the night and continue to carry out investigations today.

“As arrests have been made, we would continue to urge people not to share the video further so as not to impede any potential legal proceedings or to identify any of the children involved.”

Cumbria police said it was increasing patrols in the city “in response to concerns from the community”.

The campaign group Anti Racist Cumbria (ARC) said it was aware that the video of “a violent racist hate crime” was circulating but said sharing it could be counterproductive.

“Some spaces are sharing this video without content warning and with no consent,” it said in an Instagram post. “We will NOT be sharing the video.”

It said it had reached out to police to offer support directly to the boy and his family. It had also contacted the boy’s school “to offer support and to ensure that they are navigating this situation properly”.

It added: “ Sending love to you all. ARC community please continue to support each other as friends and comrades this week and every day.”

John Stevenson, the Conservative MP for Carlisle, said: “Racial hatred and abuse has no place in Carlisle. Carlisle police have taken action and I am in full support of this. I intend to follow this up with them.”

Police said anyone with information was asked to contact officers on 101.