3-year-olds in UK accused of making 'racist' or 'homophobic' comments

London, Sept 14 (ANI): Schoolchildren in Britain, as young as three-years-old have been accused of making 'racist' or 'homophobic' comments in the last year, it has emerged.

According to the Daily Mail, over 20,000 pupils aged 11 or younger were last year put on record for so-called hate crimes such as using the word 'gaylord'.

One youngster was accused of being racist for calling a boy 'broccoli head' and while another was said to be homophobic for telling a teacher 'this work is gay'.

Two primary school children were reported for homophobia after quarrelling over a rubber and calling each other 'gay' and 'lesbian'.

Schools in the UK are asked to report the language to education authorities, which keep a register of incidents.

The figures revealed 34,000 racist incidents reported by schools to local education authorities in England and Wales. Out of these, around 20,000 were at primary schools, the paper said.

Last year, Birmingham City Council had the highest number, with 1,090 racist incidents, followed by 672 in Leeds and 567 in Hertfordshire.

In the majority of cases, the 'racist' spats involved name-calling, the paper said. (ANI)