Key Points
- A Section 35 Dispersal Order was implemented across the entire Greenwich borough from 11.30am until 10pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, empowering officers to disperse any gathering of youths to prevent crime or disorder.
- The order responds to the “school wars” social media trend on platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, encouraging children as young as 11 to fight rival pupils from nearby schools, often filming assaults for views.
- Posters divide London schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ teams, inspired by Los Angeles gangs Bloods and Crips, with rules to “jump” opponents, “be violent,” and “earn points” for attacks; weapons suggested include compasses, scissors, rulers, metal combs, kitchen knives, and fireworks.
- Affected boroughs include Greenwich, Croydon, Bromley, Hackney, Islington, Camden, Redbridge, Newham, Harrow, Ealing, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Brent, and east London areas like Havering and Rainham; at least 26 schools named in posts.
- Metropolitan Police have increased patrols, are monitoring online spaces, and have requested platforms to disable a dozen accounts promoting threats or violence under Operation Cedarfield.
- Schools such as Harris Academy Beckenham and Langley Park School for Boys have warned parents, emphasising no evidence of origination from their communities but reinforcing anti-violence messages.
- Recent context includes stabbings of two boys at Kingsbury High School in Brent just weeks prior.
- Statements from officials: Inspector Joanna Chapman, Commander Neerav Patel, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and ASCL general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio highlight serious risks, legal consequences, and platform responsibilities.
Greenwich (South London News) February 28, 2026 – Police in Greenwich have invoked a Section 35 Dispersal Order spanning the entire borough until 10pm today amid mounting fears over the “school wars” phenomenon proliferating on social media, where children as young as 11 are being urged to engage in violent clashes with pupils from rival schools. This measure grants officers enhanced authority to break up groups of youths to avert potential crime or disorder, following viral posts on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram that categorise schools into opposing ‘red’ and ‘blue’ factions inspired by notorious US gangs. The trend, which includes instructions to film attacks and “earn points” for punches, has spread across multiple London boroughs, prompting heightened school alerts and parental concerns.
What Are the ‘School Wars’ in London?
The “school wars” refer to a disturbing social media-driven trend targeting schoolchildren, particularly those as young as 11, encouraging organised brawls between pupils from different institutions. Posters featuring figures in red and blue balaclavas—echoing the Bloods and Crips gangs of Los Angeles—have circulated widely, assigning schools to competing sides and outlining “rules” such as “jump anyone from the opposing side” and “be violent.” These posts specify mass brawl “rounds” from Friday, February 27, to March 6, 2026, with participants urged to record assaults for TikTok views and use everyday school items like compasses, scissors, rulers, and metal combs as weapons, alongside more dangerous ones like kitchen knives and fireworks.
As detailed in coverage by the Evening Standard, the trend has escalated over the past few weeks, with posts dividing schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ categories to “earn points” through attacks on nearby rivals. This comes mere weeks after two boys were stabbed at Kingsbury High School in Brent, heightening anxieties about youth violence. Parents across London have shared warnings in community Facebook groups, noting the removal of some initial posts, which complicates tracking the full scope.
Why Was a Dispersal Order Issued in Greenwich?
A Section 35 Dispersal Order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was authorised for Greenwich borough from 11.30am on Friday, February 27, until 10pm, allowing police to disperse any youth gatherings to prevent anti-social behaviour or violence. Confirming the decision, Metropolitan Police Inspector for Greenwich Borough Joanna Chapman stated, as reported by the Evening Standard:
“Many of you 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.”
Residents were advised to expect bolstered patrols throughout the day, as part of a proactive stance against the threats amplified online. This mirrors similar temporary measures noted in other reports, such as those from MadeForMums, which highlighted the Greenwich order’s role in curbing disorder linked to the viral posts.
Which London Boroughs and Schools Are Affected?
The “school wars” posts have implicated schools in at least a dozen boroughs, including Hackney, Islington, Camden, Redbridge, Newham, Harrow, Ealing, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Croydon, Bromley, Greenwich, Brent, Havering, and Rainham in east London. At least 26 schools have been named in the categorisations pitting them against each other in ‘red vs blue’ rivalries.
In Croydon and Bromley, teachers have issued urgent warnings. Vice principal Jemma Goulds of Harris Academy in Beckenham wrote to parents, as covered by the Evening Standard:
“The Metropolitan Police has advised us to write to you about a series of events being advertised on social media targeting students attending schools in Croydon and Bromley. The events being referred to as ‘Croydon or Bromley War’ present a very serious risk to student safety and we strongly advise students not to attend. The messages incite violence and are suggesting there will be ‘school wars’ between students from different local schools. We will be speaking to students about the dangers of these events this week and I would be grateful if you could reinforce this message when you speak to your child. The police are monitoring these events carefully and we will continue to share any updates as we receive them.”
She added:
“Any forwarding of the message could constitute inciting offences. I know that all our students are aware of the risks of attending events like this and will refrain from engaging in them.”
Similarly, vice principal Suzanne Munday of Langley Park School for Boys in Beckenham noted:
“Although we do not want to draw unnecessary attention to this, it is important that we keep families fully informed about any safeguarding related issues that gain momentum online, to ensure you have accurate information and clear advice. The aim of this communication is purely to alert you, particularly as some Bromley schools, including ours, have been mentioned. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that this has originated from our school community, and there is currently no specific or credible intelligence to indicate any planned activity involving our students. We are working closely with our partner agencies, including the police, who are aware of this situation and are monitoring it carefully. Additional police presence may be put in place where appropriate. Understandably, this may cause concern for some students and families, and we want to reassure you that the matter is being taken seriously. Safeguarding remains our highest priority. As a precaution, we are maintaining a visible senior staff presence at key points of the day. We are also reinforcing with students our clear expectations around behaviour, conduct and responsible use of social media and that any behaviour which promotes confrontation, encourages others to engage in unsafe activity, or brings the school into disrepute will be taken seriously and addressed in line with our behaviour policy. We kindly ask for your support by reinforcing these messages at home and helping your child to stay clear of this online activity.”
What Are Police and Officials Doing About School Wars?
Metropolitan Police Commander Neerav Patel addressed the crisis, stating as quoted in the Evening Standard:
“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. We continue to closely monitor online spaces and have worked with platforms to request a dozen social media accounts to be disabled where threats or violence were planned or encouraged. 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.”
The public is encouraged to contact police on 101 or 999 in emergencies, quoting Operation Cedarfield. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall remarked on Thursday:
“This content is deeply concerning, and I understand TikTok are taking action to review and address it. 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.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North in Redbridge, posted on social media:
“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.”
What Do School Leaders and Parents Say?
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said, as reported by the Evening Standard:
“ASCL supports police and schools in actions they are having to take to stop this latest trend turning into real-world violence with the clear risk of young people being seriously injured or killed. 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.”
Parents have mobilised via local Facebook groups, raising alarms about posts targeting their areas, while schools emphasise education on social media risks and responsible behaviour. Inspector Joanna Chapman reiterated the priority on child safety in her dispersal order announcement.
What Are the Risks and Legal Consequences?
Participation risks severe repercussions, including arrest, charges for violence or weapon possession, potentially leading to imprisonment with lasting impacts on future prospects, as warned by Commander Patel. The trend poses clear dangers of serious injury or death, prompting unified action from police, schools, and government to halt escalation. Forwarding such content may constitute incitement offences, per school advisories.
