'Schools war' posts a 'hoax' as police arrest a man and teenager

A BIRMINGHAM academy has described social media posts urging pupils from rival schools to fight as “entirely fabricated” and a “hoax” after two people were arrested.

- HARRY LEACH News Reporter

A teenage boy and a man, aged in his 20s, were arrested by Metropolitan Police on Sunday in connection with the ‘Red v Blue school wars’ craze which has appeared across TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat.

The suspects were being held on suspicion of encouraging or assisting in a crime before being bailed pending further inquiries.

Parents of schoolchildren in Birmingham have raised concerns about online posters which encouraged pupils to arm themselves and take part in violence against children from other schools.

One poster, which has been shared widely on social media this week, named 10 schools in the city as apparently taking part in the ‘wars,’ including Erdington Academy.

However, despite an increase in police patrols around schools in the city, the secondary school said no disorders had been reported.