A HORRIFIED York mother told today how her teenage son had suffered a catalogue of racial abuse at the hands of violent teenage yobs.

She claims the 14-year-old Millthorpe School pupil, from Holgate, who is of mixed race, had been assaulted with a snooker cue by the gang, and taunted with racist remarks as they chased him through the school grounds after waiting for him to leave.

His mother, 38, who asked to remain anonymous because of fears for the safety of her son and herself, said she had reported several incidents of abuse against her son to the police since February, but claimed they had "done nothing".

Tony Wootton, head teacher of Millthorpe, which has about 1,000 pupils, said staff were concerned for the welfare of the pupil, and said they had not been supported by the police when yobs had trespassed on to school property to chase the boy.

But a York Police spokesman said the incidents were being investigated.

The mother said the gang - who are aged between 16 and 17 - scrawled "Clifton on Tour", followed by their nicknames and her son's initials, on the school's gatepost as an intimidation tactic.

"My son is one of the few black kids in York and has suffered persistent racial abuse," she said.

"After a month of continual harassment he is beginning to freak out. He can't go out and I have to pick him up from school."

She says other abuse has included:

Being chased into the school building, forcing him to hide in a cupboard in the science block

Suffering facial bruising and a bloodied nose after being punched and kicked during an attack in The Mount

Receiving intimidating calls on his mobile phone - and his mother received threats to "kill" her when she took the phone from him during one of the calls

Suffering facial injuries after being hit with a snooker cue and punched during an attack outside the Odeon Cinema in Blossom Street.

"This is unacceptable whether you are white, black or yellow," his mother said. "The police told me that unless I get names, telephone numbers and addresses there's nothing they can do."

Mr Wootton said there was a "perceived threat" to the boy, of which staff had seen evidence.

"The school has been liaising closely with the parent and doing everything we can to support the boy," he said.

"We're concerned for his welfare. We've contacted the police when intruders have come on to the site. Although we appreciate the pressure the police are under, the response rates are not as we would have liked.

"They have been unable to help us. We would welcome any additional support the police could give us in dealing with on-site intruders."

Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of York Police, said: "A number of incidents in relation to the youth are being investigated. In accordance with the definition set down by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry some of these are being dealt with as racial incidents.

"We will do everything we can to assist the school but they've got to appreciate that I don't have an endless supply of officers. We've got to prioritise."

The mother is seeking advice and help on the matter from the Leeds Racial Harassment Unit.

Updated: 11:17 Thursday, March 18, 2004