A MAJOR crackdown on bullying in Blackburn and Darwen schools is poised to be launched in the autumn.

Organisations plan to join forces to tackle the problem.

Workers from Blackburn Racial Equality Council will be involved in the initiative along with police, voluntary organisations and charities.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, the new education authority from next Spring, will also play a leading role in the campaign.

The initiative is still at an early stage, but talks have been taking place between the leading players in the project.

Solat Chaudry, a racial harassment officer with Blackburn's REC, has been involved in the scheme from the outset. He said: "Blackburn and Darwen are like any other towns in the country and I am sure schools in the area have their fair share of bullies.

"Everyone has experienced bullying at some stage and it always has been a problem."

The partners behind the strategy aim to visit schools and talk to children direct.

Solat Chaudry added: "We will be talking about positive issues.

"The aim is to make children realise we all have common interests and values. We want children to understand all people are the same and have the same feelings."

There are also plans to organise mixed race events and sporting tournaments across the borough.

Mr Chaudry added: "We want to design a policy to tackle bullying. The aim is to react to events as they happen in schools.

"But we will also be looking at ways to dealing with bullying by preventing it before it takes place by changing people's attitudes."

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