Metropolitan Police Launch Major Operation to Tackle TikTok 'School Wars' Threat
The Metropolitan Police have initiated a specialised operation following the discovery of multiple 'schools wars' being advertised on TikTok, scheduled to commence in London this Friday. Scotland Yard has confirmed that Operation Cedarfield will be on high alert to dismantle gangster-style brawls that are being organised online, pitting schools against each other in a dangerous trend.
Schools Issue Urgent Warnings to Parents
Educational institutions across the capital have proactively sent out letters to parents, urging them to closely monitor their children's social media activities to prevent recruitment into these violent schemes. Anonymous TikTok posts have rapidly gone viral, explicitly calling on pupils to bring weapons such as compasses, rulers, scissors, knives, and fireworks for pre-arranged fights against rival schools on specified days.
The posts not only encourage participants to 'be violent' but also instruct them to film any altercations to upload online 'for extra points,' amplifying the risk and visibility of these incidents.
Scale and Structure of the Threat
More than 50 schools across at least 12 London boroughs have been identified as targets in a week-long series of planned brawls. The online messages organise schools into 'red' and 'blue' teams, specifying which year groups should participate, and implement a scoring system that awards points for violent acts:
- 20 points for punching a rival
- 10 points for chasing opponents
This structure is reportedly inspired by notorious Los Angeles street gangs, the Bloods and Crips, with accompanying imagery featuring individuals in red and blue balaclavas, further glamorising gang culture.
Political and Community Response
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North in Redbridge, personally intervened after spotting one of the messages, stating: 'I’ve 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.'
Commander Neerav Patel of the Metropolitan Police emphasised: '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.'
Specific Incidents and School Actions
One particularly alarming post, titled 'Hackney War' and directed at schools in East London, lists four schools for each side, including the highly regarded Mossbourne Community Academy. Schools that have issued warnings to parents include:
- Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, North London
- Sydenham School in Lewisham, South East London
- Graveney School in Tooting, South London
While these institutions have not been specifically targeted for brawls, they are taking preemptive measures. The letter from Fortismere School stated: 'We are writing to alert you to recent social media activity circulating across various parts of London that encourages young people to take part in so called “tagging” or “schools wars”–style games. Thank you to parents who have approached us with concerns they have had when checking their children’s phones.'
Graveney School reinforced its commitment to safety, noting: 'We will ensure that our usual security measures are deployed effectively, including using our ability to search students if necessary.'
Police and Online Platform Collaboration
The Metropolitan Police have been actively monitoring online spaces and have collaborated with social media platforms to disable approximately a dozen accounts where threats or violence were being planned or encouraged. This coordinated effort aims to curb the spread of harmful content and prevent real-world violence.
Community Impact and Emotional Toll
Tammy Brown, who tragically lost her son Russell to knife crime in 2016, expressed profound distress upon seeing these posts, telling Metro: 'It totally took my breath away seeing these posts. I hate to think of another mum or dad getting that knock on the door that turns their world upside down.' Her poignant remarks highlight the devastating potential consequences of such organised violence.
The schools named in connection with these threats have been contacted for further comment as authorities continue to investigate and mitigate this alarming trend.
