A group of 35 pupils from primary and secondary schools in Brent attended a special conference to tackle bullying.

Held in advance of National Anti-Bullying Week (November 16 - 20), the event gave students a chance to take part in workshops, give presentations and speeches to encourage their classmates to take a stand against bullying.

Disha Dagli, who is chairwoman of Brent Secondary Student Anti-Bullying Council, was one of the attendees at the conference which also gave the young people an insight into the psychological and emotional effects bullying can have both on those who experience it, and those who inflict it.

Cllr Ruth Moher, Brent Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Bullying damages both the person being bullied and the bully.

“What may start as a bit of harmless teasing or playground banter can quickly develop into something much nastier, affecting a child’s self-esteem and their mental health and well-being, and sadly they may carry many of those negative feelings with them into adulthood.

“However, the conference shows that something can be done about it whether that’s the bully who may be venting their own inner anger or the person being bullied who is on the receiving end of aggressive or negative behaviour.”

The event took place at Brent Civic Centre in Engineer’s Way, Wembley, last week.