THE number of racist incidents occurring in Redbridge's school have reached their highest levels since records began.

Almost 300 occasions where a child suffered racist abuse at school were recorded last year with campaigners warning that more action is needed to ensure the problem is properly dealt with.

Redbridge Racial Equality and Community Council chairwoman Lesley Hilton said that despite the increase some schools are still not doing enough to tackle it.

She added: "We do an anti-racist programme in schools involving videos and things but often it can be difficult to get into them as some schools are reluctant to engage with us.

"It's been difficult with the funding cut we have received this year. Children learn a lot of their attitudes in the home and at election times far right groups such as the BNP are campaigning who are thoroughly objectionable."

The results showed that a total of 297 racist episodes were recorded in Redbridge Schools last year compared with 278 the year before, with a record number of girls as perpetrators.

On 35 occasions last year the perpetrator of the incident was excluded from school as punishment for the offence - up from six in 2003.

The current zero-tolerance response was reflected with 238 sanctions imposed last year, against just 36 five years ago.

Redbridge Council's cabinet member for children's services played down the rise in incidents as insignificant.

He added: "From the look of the figures it's a very small increase - really minute and in the early days only 70 per cent of schools were reporting these things and now it's 100 per cent."

"If we look the results its mostly verbal abuse and not physical abuse which is just children saying something they shouldn't and having to be reminded that it's not acceptable.

"Of course if a child does not respond to this and keeps on the teachers need to be able to exclude them.

"Things are recorded more enthusiastically each year and in Redbridge we enjoy good racial relations."