TikTok and Snapchat posts are urging London pupils as young as 11 to join violent “school wars” fights, prompting the Metropolitan Police to plead with children to stay away. The Met has asked platforms to ban accounts promoting these clashes, complete with weapon images, while headteachers warn parents across boroughs.
Who Is Behind the ‘School Wars’ Social Media Posts?
Posts on TikTok and Snapchat advertise fights like a “north London war” pitting four named schools on a “red side” against four on a “blue side” for pupils from year seven to 11. Another calls for a “Hackney war,” showing images of knives, compasses, and fireworks to bring. Some suggest points systems based on harm to opponents, urging kids to “be violent.”
What Are Police Doing About School Fight Posts?
Commander Neerav Patel from the Met said the force monitors online spaces and has contacted London boroughs for reassurance. The Met worked with platforms to disable a dozen accounts where threats or violence were planned or encouraged. In Hackney, a prior fight attempt led to a police dispersal order.
Headteachers Sending Letters to Parents
Fortismere School in Haringey, north London, alerted parents to social media pushing “tagging” or “schools wars”-style games. Parents who checked their children’s phones raised concerns, prompting the letter. Graveney School in Tooting, south-east London, assured parents of enhanced security, including searches if needed.
What Warnings Has Met Police Issued to Pupils?
Commander Patel reminded young people of serious consequences: an arrest, charge, and conviction for violence or carrying weapons could mean imprisonment with long-term impacts on future opportunities. He urged pupils directly not to get involved. Police continue close monitoring.
Some pupils view the posts as spoofs meant to scare parents, per reports. A year 10 pupil said people are “fearmongering” and no teenager with common sense would meet where police know and bring weapons. Skepticism exists despite the viral spread.
What Is Government Response to School Wars Threat?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting flagged the issue at the highest government levels. He commented under one post: “I’ve raised this at highest levels in government. Hope parents are clear with their children that we’ll come down on this sort of behaviour like a ton of bricks.” Officials aim to curb the dangerous trend.
FAQs
Q. What are ‘school wars’ on social media?
A. ‘School wars’ refers to a series of posts circulating on TikTok and Snapchat that encourage pupils, some as young as 11, to participate in organized fights. The posts often name specific schools, assign sides (such as red versus blue), and in some cases include images of weapons and points systems based on harm caused.
Q: Are weapons being shown in the ‘school wars’ posts?
A: Images include knives, compasses, and fireworks for the “Hackney war.”
Q: Which schools are named in the north London war post?
A: Four schools on “red side” versus four on “blue side” for years 7-11.
Q: How many social media accounts has Met disabled?
A: A dozen accounts promoting planned threats or violence.
Q: What consequences did Commander Patel warn about?
A: Arrest, charges, conviction leading to imprisonment and long-term opportunity loss.
Q: What measures is Graveney School taking?
A: Enhanced security, including student searches if necessary.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
