Police and schools are on alert after posts appearing to incite children to fight using knives spread across social media.
The “school wars” trend has seen the spread of posts on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, which separate schools into red and blue teams and encourage pupils to fight using bladed weapons.
At least a dozen accounts encouraging or threatening violence as part of the trend have been removed following police contact.
A number of schools, mostly in London, are understood to have written to parents asking them to remain vigilant regarding the trend. In a letter seen by The Independent, one west London school warned the craze is causing “serious concern” and urged parents to check their children’s smartphones “in order to keep our school safe”.
The posts divide schools into “red” and “blue” teams and urge children to “jump” anyone they see from an opposing team. In one, seen by The Independent, children are urged to “be violent” and use compass points to attack each other.
Others suggest they will get video game-style “points” if they “punch an opp” (opponent) or “stain an opp”.
A TikTok spokesperson said it had restricted searches relating to “red vs blue” and told The Independent the trend is found across many social media platforms. They added that the platform’s community guidelines do not allow threats, glorifying violence or promoting crimes that could harm people or property.
On Snapchat, most people are believed to use the app to chat with friends, and it doesn’t have a feed of unvetted or unmoderated content.
The trend, which appears to have started in London, now appears to have spread to other parts of the UK, including Bristol.
Charities dedicated to stamping out knife crime have also issued statements about the trend. Charlie’s Promise, a charity founded in memory of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who died after he was stabbed in the chest three times at a party, warned: “While some young people may view this as a game or online challenge, the risks are very real.”
The Metropolitan Police said they are aware of the posts and are in “close contact” with schools across the city to “respond firmly” to any reports of disorder. In a statement, Commander Neerav Patel said he wanted to remind young people of the “serious consequences” of carrying weapons and getting involved in violence.
He continued: “We’re aware of social media posts circulating and are in close contact with schools across several London boroughs to offer reassurance.
“Officers will maintain a strong, visible presence around schools, and will respond firmly to any reports of violence or disorder.
“We continue to closely monitor online spaces and have worked with platforms to request a dozen social media accounts to be disabled where threats or violence were planned or encouraged.
“I would like to remind young people of the serious consequences of getting involved in matters like this. An arrest, charge and conviction for violence and carrying weapons could mean imprisonment with a significant long-term impact on future opportunities.”
Neighbourhood chief inspector Keith Smith from Avon and Somerset Police said they are “monitoring the situation extremely closely” and that there has been no evidence of incidents linked to the trend in the area.
“We have seen several posts linking this national trend to schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. While this will cause concern to our communities, we are monitoring the situation extremely closely. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest any incidents have occurred in the Avon and Somerset area which can be linked to this trend.
“We will have a heightened presence in several areas over the next few days, which will include reassurance patrols at schools listed on the social media posts, and contingency plans will also be in place should we need them.
“We are taking this matter incredibly seriously, are working with partners and other interested parties, while carrying out intelligence checks, and any incidents reported to us will be investigated accordingly.
“This trend is not linked to any ongoing investigations, but we would urge people with concerns to contact us promptly or call 999 if a crime is in progress.”
