Syrian refugee boy attacked at Huddersfield school thanks supporters

Online appeal raises £130,000 in 24 hours to help family

A 15-year-old Syrian boy who was filmed as he was attacked at a school in Huddersfield has told his supporters, “thanks for everything”.

The teenager spoke to a small group of concerned people who had gathered outside his school

His father who was with him, said he did not want to give interviews to the media but, as they left, the teenager said “thanks for everything” before getting into a waiting car.

The footage of the boy being attacked at Almondbury Community School and threatened with drowning has been widely shared on social media and provoked widespread condemnation.

An online appeal set up to help the family topped £130,000 in 24 hours.

The video was followed by further footage of what was said to be the boy’s sister being physically abused at the same school.

A 16-year-old boy has been interviewed over the attack on the boy, and reported for summons for an offence of assault ahead of a youth court appearance. He has been the subject of hundreds of violent threats online.

Police Community Support Officers walk past Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield (PA)

The boy was questioned by police over the footage in which the 15-year-old victim, with his arm is in a cast, is thrown to the ground.

He is dragged to the floor by his neck before his attacker says, “I’ll drown you”, while forcing water from a bottle into his mouth.

“I woke up at night and just started crying about this problem," the teenager previously told ITV News. "They think I’m different, different from them. I don’t feel safe at school. Sometimes I say to my dad, ‘I don’t want to go to school any more’. I was just crying and I didn’t do nothing because I respect the school rules.”

West Yorkshire Police said another “unconnected” incident occurred on 7 October and left the teenager being attacked in the first video with a wrist injury. Three children were interviewed but officers left the matter to be dealt with by the school.

A second video also emerged of a hijab-wearing girl being pushed down a grass verge and shoved by a group. The family’s lawyer said it was the boy’s sister.

MPs and campaigners have warned verbal and physical attacks are increasing in Britain amid a “toxic environment” surrounding Brexit.

Additional reporting by Press Association