Two children have been investigated by police after they allegedly desecrated the Quran in front of other pupils in two separate incidents.
The first of the two incidents allegedly occurred at Fulwood Academy in Preston, England, on June 10. The high school claimed that a boy who had been making offensive comments about Islam desecrated the Quran in front of his classmates.
The second incident allegedly occurred one day later on June 11, when a female student at the school was also accused of desecrating the Islamic holy book in front of fellow pupils. The school has not yet revealed specific details about both incidents.
Academy Principal Dave Lancaster told Newsweek that the school "immediately" suspended the two pupils on Friday and reported the incidents to the Preston Police Department and Prevent, part of the UK government's counter-terrorism program.
Officers from Lancashire Police visited the school on Friday morning before taking the two accused students to the local police station the following day, where they questioned them about the incidents.
In a statement to Lancashire Live, the police confirmed that they are still investigating the two incidents and described them as a "hate crime."
"We are aware of the impact this incident has had within the community and for that reason we are treating it as a Critical Incident. Our enquiries are very much ongoing and we are working closely with the school to address these matters.
"Everyone in our county should be allowed to live their lives free from harassment and the fear of hate crime. Hate crime causes great distress to its victims and we are committed to investigating all crimes and incidents motivated by hate, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice," the police said.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Lancaster confirmed the incident and said: "Fulwood Academy is a place where we strive to develop a culture of respect so that every child can achieve and become individuals our community can be proud of.
"At the end of last week, however, there were two separate incidents at the school that sit deeply at odds with everything we stand for."
Lancaster said that it is not the schools' "intention to hide or shy away from these acts and we can reassure everyone that we will work together to further strengthen our community and build on our deep commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality."
He confirmed that there will be "ramifications" for the two students and wrote that "actions such as this are abhorrent, and have no place in any community."
Newsweek has contacted Fulwood Academy and Lancashire Police for comment.
