SCHOOLS in an area of Medway are happy and calm places where children from different backgrounds get on well together.

That’s the claim of Chatham MP Jonathan Shaw following a visit to a community where racial tensions are said by parents to be running high.

Mr Shaw visited both Luton Infants and Junior Schools in the town following an incident in which a 10 year old boy was hit with a metal pipe, blacking both his eyes.

A woman aged 35 has been arrested following the alleged assault and is currently on police bail.

Two teenage girls, aged 16 and 18, were arrested in Chatham last Saturday for allegedy throwing stones and shouting racial abuse at a Slovakian man.

The girls have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police said the Slovakian man involved was not injured.

And this week police formally cautioned a 10-year old boy who voluntarily contacted them to admit a common assault on another woman. However police are keen to point out there was no racial motivation involved.

Mr Shaw said: "The schools are working with the police, community support officers and the wider community to promote good race relations among pupils and parents.

"Medway is a place where differences are respected and valued so that children are supported in achieving their potential in schools."

Last week police organised a meeting involving the schools, Medway Council and local councillors to discuss easing tensions within the community and ways of helping Slovakian people to integrate into the Luton area.