Concerns in multiple parts of the country are growing over “school wars” on Friday. Over the past couple of weeks posts have appeared on social media sites encouraging children to attack pupils at nearby schools to ‘earn points’ – dividing schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ categories.
The trend, which began appearing around the February 2026 half-term, encourage pupils to fight using bladed weapons. Social media posts on TikTok and Snapchat urge children to “jump” anyone they see from an opposing team. The trend which has spread across London and other parts of the UK, has caused police and schools to take urgent action to prevent real-world violence.
Head teachers have written to parents urging them to monitor social media use and report concerns to police. Numerous schools fear the attacks could occur outside school hours, when children are harder to monitor.