Schools and parents across London are on red alert after it emerged children were being encouraged via a social media trend to film themselves violently attacking pupils from rivals schools.
Posters inspired by notorious LA street gangs the Bloods and the Crips featuring men in red and blue balaclavas listing which schools fall under which 'side' have been circulating on Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram this week.
Hackney, Islington, Redbridge and Croydon are amongst the boroughs included in the 'Red vs Blue' fights, with 26 schools in total listed and split into teams.
However, parents in other areas of London have reported similar posts being shared for schools in their boroughs.
Many of the original posts have been deleted, so it is unclear exactly how many boroughs and schools have been called to fight at a number of gatherings this month.
Another post laying out the 'rules' of the school wars tells children to 'jump' anyone they see from the 'opposite' side, specifying they must 'be violent'.
They are encouraged to use stationary from their pencil cases, such as compasses, scissors and rulers, as weapons with some posters even depicting kitchen knives and fireworks.
Students are also asked to have someone 'record' their attacks and for the footage to be sent to the original organiser so they can be posted online and given extra 'points'.
Posters inspired by notorious LA street gangs the Bloods and the Crips featuring men in red and blue balaclavas listing which schools fall under which 'side' have been circulating on Snapchat , TikTok and Instagram this week
Other posts laying out the 'rules' of the school wars tells children to 'jump' anyone they see from the 'opposite' side, specifying they must 'be violent'
They are encouraged to use stationary from their pencil cases, such as compasses, scissors and rulers, as weapons with some posters even depicting kitchen knives and fireworks
The scoring system awards 20 points to children who punch an 'opp', 10 points for chasing them, 15 points for 'staining' them - slang for stabbing - and 10 bonus points for 'recording any of the above'.
Since the posts began circulating online last week, parents have received emails about the worrying calls to battle from their children's headteachers who reassured them they had informed the authorities and police would be patrolling the areas.
Parents also took to Facebook to warn others about the posts on their local community groups.
Underneath one post about the Redbridge school wars, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting commented: 'Council and Police aware.
'I've also raised this at highest levels in government.
'Hope parents are clear with their children that we'll come down on this sort of behaviour like a ton of bricks.'
A Met Police spokesperson today told the Daily Mail: 'We're aware of social media posts circulating, and we and are in close contact with schools across various London boroughs to offer reassurance.
'Officers will be visible around the schools named at the start and end of the day, and we will respond firmly to any reports of violence or disorder.'
TikTok reportedly removed the posts on their platform for breaching their community guidelines after the Met alerted them, according to the Islington Tribune.
On Friday, a meeting was held in Croydon regarding the school wars planned in the area with police, the council and the Safer Neighbourhoods Chair in attendance.
The dates for the Croydon fight gatherings are next Friday, February 27, followed by further meets on March 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Students are also asked to have someone 'record' their attacks and for the footage to be sent to the original organiser so they can be posted online and given extra 'points'
Since the posts began circulating online last week, parents have received emails about the worrying calls to battle from their children's headteachers who reassured them they had informed the authorities and police would be patrolling the areas
A statement issued after the meeting said: 'We want to reassure the community that headteachers across the borough and the council are fully aware of the situation.
'The Met Police, alongside community partners, have reviewed all available information and agreed a co-ordinated response.'
This will include an increased police presence on February 27, the Legacy Youth Zone being open for children and teenagers, and community representatives 'present in key locations'.
Local shopping centres the Whitgift and Centrale will also provide 'designated safe spaces'.
There is nothing to suggest that the original posts were made by any child from any school that had been named.
It comes just days after a 13-year-old boy was charged with attempted murdered after a year 7 student and year 8 student were stabbed in a secondary school in Brent.
