"The trend has seen the spread of posts which separate schools into red and blue teams and encourage pupils to fight using bladed weapons. Graphics listing schools as 'red' or 'blue' have been circulating on social media (TikTok). 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 number of schools, mostly in London, are understood to have written to parents warning them of the trend, with one west London school warning the craze is causing serious concern."
"Commander Neerav Patel from the Metropolitan Police also said he wanted to remind young people of the serious consequences of carrying weapons and getting involved in violence. A strong police presence remains around schools, particularly at the end of the school day."
A 15-year-old boy and a man in his 20s were arrested in central east London on suspicion of encouraging or assisting in a crime through social media posts. The arrests relate to the 'school wars' trend circulating on TikTok and Snapchat, which separates schools into red and blue teams and encourages pupils to engage in violent confrontations using bladed weapons. Posts use gamification tactics, offering points for punching opponents or causing injury. Multiple London schools have issued warnings to parents about the trend. Police in London and Bristol have increased patrols and maintained close contact with schools. Metropolitan Police commanders emphasized the serious consequences of carrying weapons and participating in violence.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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