Across the United Kingdom, a disturbing social media phenomenon known as the “Red vs Blue” school wars is sweeping through cities, prompting urgent warnings from schools, police, and government officials. What began as a series of viral posts on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat has escalated into a nationwide concern, with authorities scrambling to prevent virtual rivalries from erupting into real-world violence.
In recent weeks, posts have circulated on social media dividing pupils—often in Years 7 through 11—into “red” and “blue” teams. These posts encourage students to “hunt” those from rival schools, physically assault them, and film the attacks to post online for points. According to BBC and London Now, the trend has been dubbed the “Bristol War” in the southwest and the “North London War” in the capital, but similar posts have appeared under names like “Croydon War” and “South London Wars.” The pattern is clear: color-coded teams, orchestrated violence, and a disturbing gamification of physical harm.
Schools have responded with a flurry of communications to parents. In Islington, Beacon High School sent a letter on February 23, 2026, warning, “We want to be very clear: this is not a joke, and this is not ‘banter’. This is a deliberate attempt to coordinate physical harm within our community.” The letter outlined planned “rounds” of violence, with dates spanning from February 27 through March 6, and urged parents to ensure students do not carry items like compasses, metal combs, or rulers—everyday objects now being encouraged as weapons within the trend.
Other schools, including Plantsbrook School in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, and Oasis Academy in Brislington, have also issued statements to parents. Kerensa Neal, headteacher of Plantsbrook School, cautioned that pupils involved in trouble would face “serious consequences.” The warnings are not limited to London and Birmingham; the trend has been noted in cities like Bristol and across boroughs such as Croydon, Greenwich, Redbridge, Camden, Highgate, and Tower Hamlets. In Tower Hamlets, a spin-off dubbed “Green vs Black” has emerged, urging pupils to wear colored bandanas and use compasses as weapons.
Police forces nationwide have stepped up their response. Avon and Somerset Police, covering Bristol, announced reassurance patrols around school start and leaving hours as a precaution. Chief Inspector Keith Smith stated, “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.” The force confirmed it is “monitoring the situation extremely closely” but, as of February 26, 2026, had no evidence of incidents linked to the trend in Bristol.
In London, the Metropolitan Police have introduced Section 35 dispersal orders in areas like Greenwich and Hammersmith and Fulham, granting officers special powers to direct individuals involved in, or likely to be involved in, disorder to leave the area. Inspector Clive Hayes explained, “There will be an increased police presence across the borough. This order allows officers to direct individuals involved in, or likely to be involved in, disorder or anti-social behaviour to leave the area. It covers all parks, open spaces, shopping areas and transport hubs across the borough. Our priority is to keep young people and the wider community safe.”
Police are also actively monitoring online activity, working under an initiative known as Operation Cedarfield. They have coordinated with social media companies to request the removal of accounts promoting violence, with around a dozen profiles linked to the trend already disabled. Both TikTok and Snapchat have stated they are proactively removing content that glorifies violence or promotes crime. Snapchat told MyLondon it will go further to prohibit posts with ambiguous links to violence, while TikTok emphasized it does not allow posts that could harm people or property.
Despite the seriousness of the warnings, some students remain skeptical. According to Metro, one pupil responded to a TikTok post by claiming the trend is an effort to “fearmonger parents.” Still, the risks are anything but imaginary for school leaders and law enforcement. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), voiced strong support for police and school actions: “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. As ever, schools, families and the police are left to pick up the pieces, while social media companies are far too lax on policing their platforms. When will they get their house in order and when will the Government take stronger action to make them do so?”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall weighed in on the issue, calling the content “deeply concerning” and noting that TikTok is taking action to review and address it. She stressed, “Encouraging violence by urging children to take knives to school is illegal. I expect platforms to abide by the letter of the law and where the content is illegal, they should take action to stop these abhorrent posts.” Kendall warned of the risk of young people being “seriously injured,” echoing the fears of educators and police.
Schools have not only warned parents to check their children’s phones for related content but also to inspect bags for potential weapons and to have frank conversations about the dangers of carrying such items. One letter sent to parents read, “I would encourage you to take this opportunity to check your child’s phone and more broadly, continue to manage and monitor their internet use. You may wish to initiate a conversation about the risks associated with carrying weapons and where you have a significant concern, check their bags for weapons that may be being carried for ‘protection’ or with intent to do harm. You may also wish to tell your child to avoid unnecessary travel through the city centre area this Friday.”
In response to the trend, schools like Thomas Tallis in Greenwich and Beacon High in Islington have advised pupils not to attend any advertised meet-ups and to go straight home after school. Tutor sessions and assemblies are being used to reassure anxious students, and local youth services have been briefed to offer safe spaces and guidance after school hours. Authorities emphasize that any information that may assist the police should be reported via 101, quoting Operation Cedarfield, while emergencies should be reported through 999. The Met has warned that acts of violence or carrying weapons could lead to arrest, charges, and conviction, with significant long-term impacts on future opportunities.
While the full scope of the “Red vs Blue” school wars remains uncertain, the response from schools, police, and government officials underscores the seriousness with which the threat is being treated. As social media continues to blur the line between online trends and real-world consequences, communities are left grappling with how to protect their young people from the dangers lurking behind seemingly innocuous posts.