It may occur for a variety of reasons:

• People may see it as just a bit of fun
  
• They may not have been taught that it is wrong to bully others
  
• They are unhappy at school or elsewhere
  
• They have been encouraged to bully by their friends
  
• They have been bullied in the past
  
• Racial prejudice

Schools, colleges and the LEA (Local education Authority) are determined to stop bullying behaviour because of the unhappiness and stress it causes to all concerned.