Police and colleges warn mother and father over ‘school wars’ social media pattern inciting kids to hold weapons | EUROtoday

Police and colleges are on alert after posts showing to incite kids to struggle utilizing knives unfold throughout social media.

The “school wars” pattern has seen the unfold of posts on platforms reminiscent of TikTok and Snapchat which separate colleges into purple and blue groups and encourage pupils to struggle utilizing bladed weapons.

At least a dozen accounts encouraging or threatening violence as a part of the pattern have been eliminated following police contact.

Various colleges, largely in London, are understood to have written to folks asking them to stay vigilant over the pattern. In a letter seen by The Independentone west London faculty warned the craze is inflicting “serious concern” and urged mother and father to verify their kids’s smartphones “in order to keep our school safe”.

The posts divide colleges into “red” and “blue” groups and urge kids to “jump” anybody they see from an opposing group. In one seen by The Independentkids are urged to “be violent” and use compass factors to assault one another.

Others counsel they may get online game fashion “points” given in the event that they “punch an opp” (opponent) or “stain an opp”.

A TikTok spokesperson mentioned it had restricted searches referring to “red vs blue” and informed The Independent the pattern is discovered throughout many social media platforms. They added the platform’s neighborhood tips don’t permit threats, glorifying violence or selling crimes that would hurt folks or property.

The pattern, which seems to have began in London, now seems to have unfold to different components of the UK, together with Bristol.

Charities devoted to stamping out knife crime have additionally issued statements over the pattern. Charlie’s Promise, a charity based in reminiscence of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who died after was stabbed within the chest thrice at a celebration, warned: “While some young people may view this as a game or online challenge, the risks are very real”.

The Metropolitan Police mentioned they’re conscious of the posts and are in “close contact” with colleges throughout town to “respond firmly” to any studies of dysfunction. In an announcement, Commander Neerav Patel mentioned he needed to remind younger folks of the “serious consequences” of carrying weapons and getting concerned 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 mentioned they’re “monitoring the situation extremely closely” and that there was no proof of incidents linked to the pattern within the space.

“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.”

Snapchat has been contacted for remark.