Police issue urgent warning over viral red vs blue schools fight trend

Parents across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant after viral “red vs blue schools” wars posts named real schools and encouraged pupils to take part in organised fights.

The trend, shared widely on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, divides schools into “red” and “blue” teams and urges teenagers to “be violent”. While police say there have been no confirmed incidents linked directly to the posts so far, forces in London, Northamptonshire and elsewhere have stepped up patrols as a precaution.

For many families, the impact has already been deeply unsettling.

Rebecca Birdsall, a mum of four in Northamptonshire, said a poster promoting a “Northampton War” left her “terrified” about her children’s safety.

“Yesterday [Wednesday], my son's phone tracking went off and I went into massive panic mode because he was late home and I didn't know where he was,” she said.

“I need to know where he is all the time.”

What is the ‘red vs blue schools’ wars trend?

The “red vs blue schools” wars trend centres around AI-generated or digitally designed posters that name specific local schools and split them into rival sides.

Schools are labelled either “red” or “blue”, with pupils encouraged to meet up after school to fight. Some posts use gaming-style language, introducing “points” systems and competitive rules. Others have encouraged clashes to be filmed and shared online.

In London, more than 50 schools across at least 12 boroughs have reportedly been named in circulating content. Similar posters have appeared in Northamptonshire and parts of the South West.

One post promoting a “Hackney war” reportedly used images of weapons to bring. Another listed multiple Northamptonshire schools and urged teenagers to gather and “be violent”.

Despite the scale of sharing, police have stressed that no confirmed disorder linked to the trend has taken place in the areas affected.

Why are police taking it seriously?

Even where posts may be hoaxes or attempts to provoke attention, the references to violence and weapons mean they cannot be dismissed.

Northamptonshire Police warned that “anyone seen fighting or wielding weapons of any kind will be arrested” and confirmed officers had been visiting schools to speak to pupils directly, as well as carrying out “proactive patrols around schools and areas where disorder could occur”.

Anyone seen fighting or wielding weapons of any kind will be arrested.

In London, the Metropolitan Police said officers were in close contact with schools across several boroughs.

Commander Neerav Patel said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

An arrest, charge and conviction for violence and carrying weapons could mean imprisonment with a significant long-term impact on future opportunities.

In Greenwich, officers introduced a temporary dispersal order covering the borough to help prevent potential disorder linked to the posts.

Inspector Joanna Chapman said: “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.”

How are schools and government responding?

A number of schools have written to parents about the red vs blue schools wars trend, even in areas where there is no intelligence suggesting a specific planned event.

One primary school in east London told families: “We are writing to make you aware of a concerning social media trend currently circulating among young people, often referred to as the 'red and blue fight'.

“While much of the content may appear to some young people as playful rivalry, it is increasingly being presented in ways that encourage confrontation, intimidation and, in some cases, organised meet-ups.”

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall described the content as “deeply concerning” and said: “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.”

Encouraging violence by urging children to take knives to school is illegal.

Michael Stratton, cabinet member for children, families and education at West Northamptonshire Council, described one of the posts as “incredibly irresponsible and wholly unacceptable”.

“I would urge parents and carers to be aware of what their children may be encountering online and to talk openly with them about making safe choices and avoiding harmful peer pressure,” he said.

What parents can do now

Although there have been no confirmed “red vs blue schools” clashes, the viral nature of the trend has understandably unsettled many families.

If your child mentions it, experts and school leaders suggest:

• Asking what they have seen and how it made them feel
• Reassuring them that police are monitoring the situation
• Reminding them of the serious legal consequences of carrying weapons
• Encouraging them not to share or amplify harmful content

For many teenagers, these posts may feel like dramatic online noise. For parents, they strike at the heart of safety.

The key message from police and schools is that the situation is being closely monitored, with visible patrols and direct engagement in place. Keeping conversations open at home can help ensure that what trends online does not escalate offline.