The five-year-old, who had never had his hair cut prior to the incident due to his religion, has been left "deeply hurt", his mum and dad have shared. The "assault" was said to have taken place at the Alexandra McLeod Primary School in Abbey Wood, South East London on Friday (May 21). The Sikh Federation UK said: "Totally unacceptable and devastating to hear about the bullying & assault on a 5-year-old boy at south London school Alexandra McLeod. For a Sikh boy to have his sacred unshorn hair cut by another pupil while in school is one of the worst possible #Anitsikhhate crimes."

LONDON - A Sikh boy has been left traumatized after his hair was cut with scissors while at school, his parents say.

The five-year-old, who had never had his hair cut prior to the incident due to his religion, has been left "deeply hurt", his mum and dad have shared.

The "assault" was said to have taken place at the Alexandra McLeod Primary School in Abbey Wood, South East London on Friday (May 21).

The Sikh Federation UK has said it was "totally unacceptable & devastating" for the child's "sacred unshorn hair" to be cut by "another pupil."

The school in Fuchsia Street said it was aware of the incident, that it had occurred when "most of the staff had left", and that the matter will be investigated.

Speaking on social media, the parent of the pupil said: "I am just posting this because we as parents are deeply hurt by this incident which happened today with my son in Alexandra McLeod School Abbey Wood.

"My son is only 5 years old, a Sikh boy and I never cut his hair but someone in school today cut his hair with scissors and my boy is really upset and saying 'I am not going to school now'.

"I don’t understand from where a reception student can get scissors and it’s shameful.

"It’s bullying which should not be accepted. We are really scared to send him to school. Don’t know what to do to secure him in future."

People were quick to reply to the comments and gave the pupil's mum and dad their full support.

The Sikh Federation UK said: "Totally unacceptable and devastating to hear about the bullying & assault on a 5-year-old boy at south London school Alexandra McLeod.

"For a Sikh boy to have his sacred unshorn hair cut by another pupil while in school is one of the worst possible #Anitsikhhate crimes."

They asked for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson to discuss the "shocking case" and other recent "anti-Sikh hate" bullying in UK schools.

They added: "We offer our full support to the family and will push the school and authorities to investigate fully. #NoCoverUps ".

Councillor Jas Atwal, who proudly wears his turban while leading Redbridge Council in east London, said he was sickened to hear about the incident.

"Appalling to see this happen to anyone, let alone a five-year-old," he said.

Members of the public also replied and said: "This is assault, however young the child was who did it to him and now the poor boy doesn't want to go to school! It's awful..."

Another wrote: "Absolutely sickening. My heart breaks just by the thought of what this little boy had to endure and how he must be feeling within. Totally unacceptable!

While another said: "I don’t understand why there is so much religious intolerance among us. Unacceptable."

The primary school put out a response to the incident and said it would be meeting with the pupil's parents.

"In response to messages received: An incident was reported late Friday afternoon after the children and most staff had left," the school said.

"A meeting had already been arranged with the parents of the child.

"Please trust that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and fairly."