‘School war’ concerns erupt as warning issued and police given extra power | UK | News
(file image) Police officers in Greenwich were given special powers until 10 p.m. (Image: Getty)
Concerns about “school wars” are rising in many parts of the country on Friday. Over the past few weeks, posts have appeared on social media sites encouraging children to attack students at nearby schools to ‘earn points’, dividing schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ categories.
This trend, which began to emerge in the February 2026 semester, encourages students to fight using bladed weapons. Social media posts on TikTok and Snapchat encourage kids to “jump” anyone they see from the opposing team. Points are also awarded for filming fights.
‘School wars’ posts appeared on TikTok and Snapchat (Image: Getty)
Read more: One in four homeless people in England are not British, new report finds
Read more: Anger as Winston Churchill’s statue was vandalized: ‘what a disgrace’
Some posts even instruct children on which knives they should carry and clearly state that “rambo knives are prohibited.” Instead, young people are encouraged to use items such as compasses, rulers and scissors as weapons.
The trend has spread to London and other parts of the UK, prompting police and schools to take immediate action to prevent real-world violence.
*** Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us your Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***
School principals have written to parents, urging them to monitor social media use and report their concerns to the police. Many schools fear attacks may occur outside school hours, when children are more difficult to monitor.
A headteacher in Birmingham has warned of a “school war”. Sutton Coldfield students were being asked to head into the city center for a “battle” after school today, Friday, February 27.
Parents are warned about ‘Sutton Coldfield school battle’ planned in town center (Image: Google Maps)
Principal Kerensa Neal warned students who had problems would face “serious consequences.” Parents were encouraged to ensure their children went “straight home” at the end of the school day.
Ms Neal said police were aware of messages circulating on social media and there would be an increased police presence in the town.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We are aware of reports in the West Midlands and nationally suggesting that children in some schools are planning to take part in organized fighting.
“We speak to schools locally and offer support where necessary.
“We encourage parents to talk to their children about the use of social media and other online platforms to make sure their children are safe.”
Meanwhile, the capital Hackney became the first borough in London to experience these posts, before similar examples began to appear in Redbridge, Greenwich and Croydon, among other parts of the city.
Posts promoting the so-called “Battle of Hackney” encourage students to “use violence” and children to jump out the other side.
Young Greenwich youth club has warned parents about the dangers of these posts. In response to the threat, the Metropolitan Police issued a Section 35 Dispersal Order in Greenwich to deter anti-social behavior and violence.
It came into force today (Friday, February 27) at 11.30 and will remain in effect until 22:00 tonight.
Greenwich Borough Metropolitan Police Inspector Joanna Chapman said the threat was being taken “very seriously”.
He said: “Many of you will have heard reports via social media, from a school or from your own children, of possible fights between various school children in Greenwich Borough.
“From a policing perspective, we take the safety of children and residents of the borough very seriously, which is why we have taken the decision to issue a Section 35 Dispersal Order covering the whole of Greenwich Borough, to deter and prevent any anti-social behavior or the risk of any escalation of potential violence.
“This means Police can break up any gatherings of young people in any area of the borough to prevent crime and disorder. Police will remain on duty until 10pm on Friday 27 February. You will see an increase in police presence across the borough, working with council officers and partners throughout the day to tackle any incidents that may occur.”
Chief neighborhood inspector Keith Smith, of Avon and Somerset Police, said they were “monitoring the situation extremely closely” and there was no evidence of incidents linked to the trend in the area.
