'School wars' social media trend prompts warnings

Police, politicians and school authorities have moved to calm fears over a social media trend promoting "school wars".

Online posts dividing an area's schools into blue and red teams, then telling them to meet and fight for "points" has spread across the UK.

Multiple schools in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have sent out notices to parents asking them to warn children to avoid "online rumours" and saying the authorities were monitoring the situation.

So far no incidents linked to the trend have been reported to police.

A number of schools have been in touch with parents this week, with a similarly worded letter, seen by the BBC, which said: "Please be reassured that the school, local authority and the police are fully aware of this online activity.

"We are working closely in partnership with our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams, and there is a zero-tolerance approach to any form of disorder.

"At this time, we have no indication of any specific risk to our students, and this communication is intended purely as a precaution."

One parent, who asked not to be named, whose children go to school in Bramcote, Nottinghamshire, said: "It's obviously worrying, I have two girls that walk to and from school every day.

"We've already had incidents outside the school gates without stupid viral social media rumours stirring things up.

"I don't doubt that while inside school they're in safe hands, but it makes you very anxious to think some stupid posts online can snowball to the police having to be called in and the head sending out messages and maybe kids ending up hurt."

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed it was aware of the issue.

A spokesman said: "As a precautionary measure, we will have a heightened presence in several areas over the next few days, which will include reassurance patrols at schools.

"We are in close contact with schools and we are working with partners and other interested parties, while carrying out intelligence checks.

"We will not tolerate violence and any incidents reported to us will be investigated accordingly.

"Anyone involved in incidents of violence and disorder will be robustly dealt with."

Leicestershire Police said: "Those schools referenced in the post have been contacted by officers from their relevant Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) and advised to report any issues or concerns.

"An appropriate policing plan is in place."

Sharing the school warning letter, Broxtowe councillor Richard MacRae said it was "not good when a local school is having to send out such an email".

Neil O'Brien, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, posted on social media that he had been contacted by "many worried parents".

"I've written to the chief constable of Leicestershire Police today asking what action is being taken to stop this and to reassure parents, teachers and pupils.

"This is exactly the kind of problem that shows why I have been pushing for a social media ban for under-16s."

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said that the "content is deeply concerning", and she understands TikTok chiefs are taking "action to review and address it".

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, a union that represents head teachers, said he supports police and schools in the actions they are taking "to stop this latest trend turning into real-world violence".

"Barely a week goes by without something appalling happening on social media. This the latest example of the wild west environment on these platforms – in this case all too literally," he said.

County councils in the East Midlands and Derbyshire Police have been approached for comment.

Snapchat and Tiktok were previously contacted for comment on the posts.

They declined to comment on the specific posts but said their community guidelines stated any content glorifying violence, containing threats or promoting crimes would be removed from their platforms.

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