A VIDEO of an alleged racially-motivated attack in Carlisle highlighted a concerning trend of all-too-frequent racist incidents in Cumbrian schools, Anti-Racist Cumbria has warned.

The group claimed to be receiving around 'two emails a week' about school-related incidents, often from parents centred around racist language. 

Last week's viral video incident shook the community and has since sparked widespread condemnation including from the city’s Mayor and MP John Stevenson.

Sophia Newton, Anti-Racist Cumbria co-founder, said: “This is a call to action, enough words now, something has to change."

She underscored the importance of not oversimplifying the problem by blaming perpetrators alone, but by addressing the systemic issues that have been long overlooked. 

"We’re getting two emails on average a week relating to racism," she said. 

"This isn’t a witch hunt on a school, the parents we’re speaking to are coming from all different schools – the majority around the use of racist language in schools.”

Cumberland Councillor Chris Wills, who represents the ward where the alleged incident took place, said he has been informed about ‘disturbing’ incidents from residents which have led him to believe there is a ‘rise in tensions’ in the area.

He also urged parents to be mindful of their behaviour, stating: "An off-the-cuff remark can be taken to an extreme by an impressionable youngster."

Anti-Racist Cumbria has called for a shift in understanding, stating that racism goes beyond just acts of physical violence.

“It’s not enough to say ‘I’m not racist’, it’s a passive stance," Sophia said. 

“We have to find long-term changes together and how do we prevent it going forward.

“Anti-Racist Cumbria doesn’t say Cumbria is a racist place. It’s about rooting out the environment that allows far-right ideologies to take hold, and attacks to be carried out," she said. 

Sophia's comments follow continued exposure of racial tensions in Cumbria, such as homes set for people seeking asylum being struck with obscene graffiti in Millom last month to protests outside Carlisle hotels for those displaced.

Cumbria has also recently been targeted by far-right political groups like the New British Union and Patriotic Alternative, who apparently consider the area a 'soft target' according to the group. 

In 2022, the News & Star reported Home Office data which showed there were 388 racially or religiously aggravated offences recorded in Cumbria in 2021, a rise of 3 per cent from the 376 the year before.

“99 per cent of people who will see that footage will be appalled by it, but they don’t happen in a vacuum... it’s because people ignore the small things that the big things end up happening," Sophia said. 

“Cumbria’s [people] are disproportionately white British, but the make-up of the population that doesn’t identify as white is growing faster than the UK average. Cumbria is going to look very different, so get on board"

Anti-Racist Cumbria has subsequently called upon local communities to unite against divisive groups.

"It’s difficult for communities, there are NHS waiting lists, you are facing housing problems, then the houses become places for people seeking asylum – however, they are directing their anger at the wrong people," she said.

Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Carlisle Julie Minns said: "There must be no place for racism in Carlisle.

"And those who seek to stir division and bigotry in our communities and our country should be condemned without hesitation by politicians of all parties."

To tackle and create awareness about racism, the anti-racist group provides sensitivity training, free lesson plans and resources for schools and other organisations looking to broaden their understanding of the issue.