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. Points are given for filming the fights as well.

Some posts even instruct children on what knives to carry, clearly noting that “rambo knives are banned.” Instead, youngsters are being urged to use items like compasses, rulers and scissors as weapons.

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.

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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.

One head teacher in Birmingham issued a warning of a “school war”. Pupils of Sutton Coldfield were being urged to head to the town centre after school today, Friday, February 27, for the “war”

Headteacher Kerensa Neal warned any pupils involved in trouble would face “serious consequences”. Parents were encouraged to make sure their children went “straight home” at the end of the school day.

Mrs Neal said police were aware of the messages circulating on social media and there would be an increased police presence in the town.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We’re aware of reports in the West Midlands and nationally suggesting children from some schools are planning to take part in organised fights.

“We are speaking to schools locally and offering them support where necessary.

“We’d urge parents to speak to their children around their use of social media and other online platforms to ensure they are staying safe.”

Meanwhile, in the capital Hackney was the first London borough to experience these posts, before similar examples began appearing in Redbridge, Greenwich and Croydon among other parts of the city.

Posts, such as one promoting the so-called “Hackney War”, encourage pupils to “be violent” and to jump children from the other side.

Young Greenwich youth club has warned parents about the dangers of these posts. In a response to the threat the Metropolitan Police has issued a Section 35 Dispersal Order in Greenwich to deter anti-social behaviour and violence.

It came into force at 11.30am today (Friday, February 27) and will remain in place until 10pm tonight.

Metropolitan Police Inspector for Greenwich Borough Joanna Chapman the threat is being taken “very seriously”.

She said: “Many of you have have heard through social media, from a school or your own children, news of possible fights between various school children across the Borough Of Greenwich.

“From a policing perspective, we take the safety of children and residents of the borough very seriously. Therefore, in order to deter and prevent any anti-social behaviour or risk increase of potential violent incidents, we have taken the decision to issue a Section 35 Dispersal Order, covering the whole of Greenwich Borough.

“This means that Police will be able to disperse any gathering of youths in any area in the borough, to prevent crime and disorder. It will be in place until 10pm Friday, February 27. You will see an increase in police presence across the borough, working with council wardens and partners throughout the day, to tackle any incidents that may occur.”

Neighbourhood chief inspector Keith Smith from Avon and Somerset Police said they are “monitoring the situation extremely closely” and that there has been no evidence of incidents linked to the trend in the area.