Police probe Hampton hair cut

Hampton RCMP are investigating after a Grade 6 student was allegedly cornered in her school washroom by two otherstudents who held her down and cut her hair.

The incident reportedly occurred last Thursday at Hampton Middle School.

The 12-year-old girlwas allegedly held down by one student while the other used a pair of scissors to cut off part of her hair.

"We haven't identified any suspects yet so the investigation continues," said Sgt. Andy O'Connell.

The school and community have expressed concern about the incident.

On Friday, students wore pink and blue in support of the victim, who had just arrived at the school in early December, said Gary Hall, the acting superintendent of School District 6.

The school is also planning an anti-bullying rally on Jan. 23, when author Anne Scott will present her book, The Boy Who Was Bullied, whichtells the story of Hampton's John Peters Humphrey.

Humphrey,who was an orphan and disabled, was bullied as a child, but later went on to become the principal author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

More than 5,000 people plan to attend the anti-bullyingrally, according to a Facebook page created to promote the event.

"This would be certainly more in the area of an assault because it was an isolated incident," said Hall.

He described Thursday's incident as random and unusual.

Still, it's up to the school, parents and community to speak out against acts of bullying, said Hall.

"Suspension is certainly one disciplinary action, but sometimes restitution is a bit more appropriate making it right when you've hurt someone sometimes is a louder message than a suspension."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the local RCMP at 832-5566, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.