A young Muslim student’s story of her sister being pushed down an escalator and called a “terrorist” prompted Redbridge Council to adopt an anti-hate crime pledge.

The authority voted unanimously to adopt the pledge after hearing from Redbridge’s youth parliament, members of which shared their personal experiences of hate crime.

The pledge includes promises to unite against hate crime, if safe to do so challenge those perpetuating hate crime and report any incidents witnessed or suffered to police.

Another youth parliament member described how she was often casually called an “immigrant” at school due to her Eastern European heritage and said such low level abuse can really get under people’s skin.

Cllr Jas Athwal, council leader and himself Sikh, introduced the motion calling for the pledge to be adopted. He agreed with the students and added that this type of casual racism can sometimes lead to violence.

He said: “I grew up in Redbridge, I went to school in Redbridge and I chose to bring up my family in Redbridge. We have been better in the past, but we have taken a downward turn.

“You have a sixth sense you develop when there is danger. You never lose it. I hear stories of hijabs being pulled from the heads Muslim women and Sikh turbans being pulled from the heads of Sikh gentlemen.

“While on the whole I think we are a beacon to the rest of the country, we need to look around to see who needs our help and stand up to racism and bigotry so we can try to overcome it.”

Cllr Linda Huggett, Conservative group leader, seconded the motion.

She said: “Hate crime in any form goes against the borough’s values. It needs to be condemned outright. Everyone has the right to live without fear.

“We must be united to stamp out hate crime and learn from the past. I believe in deeds not words and as our borough’s motto states: ‘in unity progress’.”

Cllr Athwal added: “We have a moral duty to lead this fight and adopting this pledge will go some way to making sure this borough is a safe place for all of our residents and visitors.”

The motion was passed unanimously and the students were thanked for their contribution and for sharing their personal experiences.

To see a full copy of the pledge and to sign it, click here.