Rapper Dave has demanded the resignation of the head teacher of a school where a racist attack exploded outside the premises.
The 24-year-old musician slated principal Richard Beeson, who has already come under fire for not intervening quicker.
Horrific video footage of the fight outside Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford, was shared online and shows a gang of people hitting and kicking the victim – who is black – while she lies on the floor.
Adult voices can be heard throughout the altercation, apparently encouraging the fight and giving instructions on how to hurt the teenager.
Dave – best-known for his hit Starlight – told his 850,000 followers on Twitter: ‘So this principal RICHARD BEESON in Ashford’s Thomas Knyvett College is gonna stroll in and watch as that black child is ATTACKED by a mob and they think that can run? WE NEED HIM OUT OF THAT JOB ASAP.
‘Don’t make this weird Thomas Knyvett cause we will wait outside of your college grounds till every member of staff in this video is sacked. DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE WE FORCE YOU TO.’
The violent footage shows a group of young girls attacking a teenager in the middle of the street on Monday afternoon
Dozens attended a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family, dressed in uniforms and body armour
Rapper Dave – best-known for his hit Starlight – has demanded the resignation of the head
Strands of the victim’s hair are visible on the floor at the end of the fight, when teachers from the school come out on to the pavement.
Many have since criticised staff, and in particular the head teacher, for not intervening quicker, with a petition calling for him to ‘brought to book’ receiving more than 80,000 signatures.
A relative of the girl told the Mirror: ‘No one from the school brought her back to us. We had to go to her and get her home. They let her go to a friend’s house and then from her friend’s house she used her friend’s phone to call us.
‘When I asked [Mr Beeson] in a meeting, I said, “Do you know what hurt me the most in that video? I was asking who’s going to stop it?”
Raspect Fyahbinghi speaks outside Thomas Knyvett College during yesterday’s protest
Police have arrested five people and are searching for a sixth after the altercation outside a Surrey school
‘Eventually I told him, “When you walked into the shot, you strolled in and you even allowed one more punch”.’
Dozens attended a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family, dressed in uniforms and body armour.
The organisation aims to ‘mobilise, organise and centralise our community initiatives to empower and support organisations with similar objectives’.
It comes after a 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a ten-year-old girl and a 43-year-old man were arrested over the attack.
A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old girl, is wanted. Police confirmed that she was aware they were looking for her.
A police officer speaks to a demonstrator outside Thomas Knyvett College in Surrey
A statement on the school’s website today reads: ‘There was a serious assault on Monday 6 February 2023 on the junction of Salcombe Road and Stanwell Road close to Thomas Knyvett College, soon after the end of the school day.
‘The Police were called, and they have made a number of arrests in connection with this incident, and their investigation is ongoing.
‘Uppermost in our thoughts has been the welfare and care of the victim, but The Howard Partnership Trust, of which Thomas Knyvett College is a part, is aware this incident has caused tension among the wider community.
‘We are taking this situation extremely seriously and are working with all agencies involved. We need to ask for calm and patience while vital work is undertaken to establish the facts.
‘To this end, in the interests of safety of all concerned, we have taken the decision to close the school early today.’
MailOnline approached the school and Mr Beeson for further comment.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said: ‘We are aware that this incident will have caused concern among students, parents, and staff at Thomas Knyvett College, as well as the wider community.
‘We would like to reassure you that an investigation is under way, five arrests have been made in connection with this incident, and we are working closely with Thomas Knyvett College as we investigate this matter.’
The spokesman asked that people refrain from sharing videos of the horrific fight on social media and instead sent links to the police.
‘We are also aware that several videos of this distressing incident are circulating on social media.
‘We ask that you do not share any videos or images of this incident, but to submit them via the link below so they can be considered as evidence in this investigation.’
Inspector Maxine Cilia, borough commander for Spelthorne, said she was shocked to see such a violent altercation near a school.
‘I was shocked to see some of the video footage of this fight and the level of violence from young people outside one of our local schools.
A crowd listens to activist Raspect Fyahbingh from Forever Family during the protest
Police have asked people not to share videos of the fight online and asked any witnesses to come forward. There will be extra patrols through the area in the coming days
‘Every schoolchild should feel safe in the local community and not the target of any kind of violence as they leave school premises,’ she said.
Inspector Cilia added that there would be extra patrols in the area over the coming days.
‘Surrey Police are now investigating this incident and gathering further evidence with the full co-operation of the school. There will be extra patrols in this local area for reassurance and to enable local people to speak with officers.’
Police are also appealing for any eyewitnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or helmet cam footage, or any images and videos on their mobile phones to get in touch.
They added that anyone driving or walking through the area around Salcombe Road on Monday between 2pm and 3pm who saw or heard something that might assist the investigation should contact them.
