West Lothian mum says daughter scared to go to school weeks after 'incident filmed'
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A West Lothian mum says her daughter is terrified to go to school - weeks after she was allegedly attacked in the street, with the incident filmed.
Jennifer Storrar, whose daughter Skye attends Whitburn Academy, claimed her 12-year-old child was punched and kicked in the street as fellow pupils filmed it on their phones.
The 36-year-old reported the incident to both Police Scotland and Whitburn Academy, but said no further action was taken.
However, after being approached again by Edinburgh Live, police confirmed a 13-year-old girl has now been reported to the relevant authorities following an alleged assault on Tuesday, May 29.
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council also confirmed the local authority will continue to work with police and the families involved to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
The terrifying incident left Skye covered in bruises as she was seemingly punched and kicked while lying on the pavement. In a shocking clip, shared by Jennifer, other pupils could be heard laughing in the background.
(Image: Supplied)
The following day Jennifer refused to allow Skye to attend school for the rest of the week and was left "helpless" after her initial complaints were 'passed back and forth' between police and the school.
She said: "I feel like the situation has not being taken seriously at all. Two weeks later I was no further forward with the police as they stated it was a school matter, but the school reported it back to them.
"Nothing seemed to be progressing and meanwhile my daughter was scared to go to school. As a parent I was feeling helpless and increasingly worried for her wellbeing."
After finding out a girl had been reported in connection with the assault, she added: "I believe the time it took to trace the girl was unacceptable, and the police response felt dismissive - referring to her as 'only 13' undermines the seriousness of the situation.
"The fact I had to threaten to go back to the papers was the only reason she was charged as they initially stated it was a school matter and the school stated it was a police matter so they both were passing the buck.
"Many young people today view getting into trouble with the police as a rite of passage - something to be proud of, rather than deterred by."
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'On Tuesday, 29 April, 2025, officers received a report of an assault of a 12-year-old girl on West Main Street, Whitburn.
'A 13-year-old girl has been reported to the relevant authorities in connection.'
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'Whitburn Academy takes all allegations of bullying seriously, with staff working to provide a safe and supportive environment for all pupils.
'While we have no control over what takes places outside the school grounds, we will continue to work with both Police Scotland and the families concerned, to ensure the issue is addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.'
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