THE mother of a mixed race child has called for tolerance after her 'beautiful' 12 year old daughter was racially abused at school by another child.

Sophie Tresidder from Helston received the dreaded call from her daughter Lilly's school that she had been called a racial slur by another child at the school. She said the headteacher handled it amazingly well but the slur was so awful, she couldn't bring herself to repeat it.

Sophie say all her life she has been told how stunning and beautiful Lilly, who has Fijian and English parents, is.

"All her life, I've been told how stunning she is, what an amazing girl she is, what a kind, beautiful hearted soul she is. She's an absolute gem and I love her with all my heart. But that doesn't stop bullies," she said.

"On Friday, I got the phone call that I knew would one day come, but hoped and prayed wouldn't. My baby girl has been subject to racial insults at school.

"The headteacher called me to break the news. Credit where credit's due, he handled it amazingly, and we are incredibly grateful for his swift actions, and the punishment handed to the child, who said a phrase so vile, I couldn't comprehend where a child would get it."

She said she and her husband Gary "stewed" on the situation all weekend, alternating from anger to crying and back again. She was told that she should contact the police as racist bullying is a criminal offence. They took the weekend to think about it, but on Monday afternoon, Sophie contacted Devon and Cornwall Police via the Webchat option on their website.

"The minute I said what my daughter was called, the lady on the end of the chat said that this will need to be logged and it will be acted upon (she asked for my permission to do that, and I said yes please, 100%). She told me that it is a hate crime and we will be seen within 48 hours.

"Tuesday morning, I get a call from a local police officer based in Helston. She told me that she had read the log and she personally will be acting upon it immediately. She told us that she will be paying a visit to the child to explain the seriousness of what was said, and to try to find out where a child learnt that sort of language from."

She said on Wednesday she had an update from the school to say that the child was extremely apologetic and wanted to personally apologise to her daughter. She told Lily that it is her decision and she is still considering it.

She praised the police officer who took on the case saying she was 'amazing'.

"She's reassured Lilly and has praised her to the hills - she said we can all learn something from her. She has stayed so calm, collected and laid back, and she didn't once retaliate or throw hateful comments back at the child. She handled this all beautifully and in the correct manner. Another day where I am beyond proud of her."

She urged any child suffering from racial abuse to speak out and tell an adult and report the matter so they can make a difference.

"It is 2021, and there's no place for racism. I am beyond grateful for the friends that Lilly had with her when this happened, as they were brave enough to go straight to a teacher and get help, for this, I am eternally grateful."

However, she said she doesn't want any negative comments about the child who said the comments. "We, and the police officer, are sure that the child did not hear this at home. I am just trying to raise awareness of the support available. Be more Lilly and add positivity to this, please."