A BOY has been arrested after allegedly encouraging other kids to carry out violent behaviour as part of a probe into “school wars”.
A 13-year-old from Sheffield was taken into custody in connection with posts on social media, with parents warned about a “reckless and irresponsible” trend.
Parents have been warned about a disturbing ‘school wars’ trend that has spread nationwideCredit: UKNIP
Posts from the trend pit pupils from rival schools against each otherCredit: Tik Tok
South Yorkshire Police said the posts were “encouraging school children to engage in violent behaviour”.
Cops arrested him on suspicion of malicious communications, encouraging or assisting crime, and an alleged public order offence.
The force said the arrest came amid a probe into the social media trend of “school wars” around the UK.
Inspector Katie Hammond said: “We know how worried parents, families, staff and pupils have been since these social media posts started appearing here in South Yorkshire and we have provided support and reassurance to our local schools and communities through a high-visibility presence and increased patrols.
“Behind the scenes we have also been actively monitoring social media and carrying out intelligence checks, and doing all we can to track down the accounts responsible and shut them down.
“We are taking this matter seriously and are doing everything in our power to deal with it swiftly and robustly.
“I believe the overwhelming majority of children here in South Yorkshire understand this trend is reckless and irresponsible, and not at all reflective of the real, positive relationships which exist between our educational establishments, young people and communities.”
Some Sheffield schools sent letters to parents saying they are working with police and the council to monitor the situation of the worrying trend.
Some posts seen on social media in recent weeks pit pupils from rival against each other and told and be ready for “war”.
The arrested a boy, 15, and a man in his 20s last week on suspicion of encouraging or assisting in a .
Posts rapidly circulated last month across several platforms dividing schools into team red and team blue, inspired by the notorious Bloods and Crips .
The images showed masked figures or household items that could be used as weapons and sparked concerns for parents across London.
Boroughs in the capital were pitted against each other as Year 7 to Year 11 schools were divided into the two camps.
But the disturbing trend has now spread nationwide.
Viral TikTok posts from anonymous accounts saw pupils being urged to bring compasses and combs each other.
Parents were advised to collect children from the school gates and many expressed fears on Facebook.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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