THE father of a Kendal schoolgirl found dead in January is calling for discrimination against ginger-haired people to be made a hate crime.

Enda Farrell said his 15-year-old daughter Helena was bullied about her hair colour from a young age.

He believes she committed suicide and that the bullying contributed to her death.

The ex-councillor spoke out after last week’s unof-ficial ‘Kick a Ginger Day’ – thought to have been sparked by US cartoon South Park – which reportedly led to attacks on redheads across the country.

Mr Farrell said he heard this caused one Kendal boy to skip school and to leave early the next day.

His concern was echoed by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron who yesterday tabled a written question to Home Secretary Theresa May, asking what plans she had to ensure action was taken against those who persecuted others on the basis of hair colour.

Condemnation of such bullying follows the death of Wolverhampton boy Simon Walters, 14, who reportedly took his life after being bullied about his ginger hair.

Mr Farrell said: “People need to realise that when they say the things they do, it can have deeply traumatising effects and can lead to self harm and suicide.

“Helena’s death was not just because of it but the bullying she faced all her life certainly contributed.”

Every police service in England and Wales records five categories of hate crimes – crimes targeted because of prejudice about race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender identity. But forces can choose to add extra categories.

In April, Greater Manchester Police became the first to add ‘alternative sub-cultures’ as a hate crime motivation after an attack which killed 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster, because she was a ‘goth’.

After three months, they had received eight reports of hate crime against goths, emos, rockers and metallers.

Mr Farrell said Cumbria Police should ‘enact and enforce’ the same system regarding hair colour.

South Cumbria hate crime manager DS Mike Wallace said there were no plans to amend force policy but it was reviewed every 12 months and other potential categories were being considered.

“We take a strong stance on any form of bullying. Just because something is not categorised as a hate crime we would still expect the same quality of investigation.

“If someone is being bullied because of their appearance I would want it investigated properly and I would urge them to contact us,” he said.

Red-headed Windermere councillor Ben Berry said: “People laugh at me when I say it’s almost as if ginger-haired people are a different race but it’s like that – we’re beaten and made fun of just the same as someone is because they’re black.”

‘Proud’ ginger Mr Farron said one of his children had recently faced comments about their ginger hair.

“Kids can be really cruel but it shouldn’t be tolerated,” he said.

“It’s a serious matter and I cannot see how being ginger is less qualifying for the additional category of hate crime than being a goth is.”