A series of viral social media posts urging school pupils to take part in so-called 'Red vs Blue' fights has prompted police warnings, school alerts and two arrests in the UK.

The trend began circulating online in February, with posts on platforms includingTikTok and Snapchatdividing schools into rival teams and encouraging students to meet after classes for physical confrontations.

Police say most of the posts appear to frame violence as a game, awarding 'points' for assaults filmed on phones. The messages spread quickly among pupils aged roughly 11 to 16, urging several schools to warn parents and increase supervision around dismissal times.

The earliest posts appeared in early February in parts of London, including Croydon, where short videos encouraged students to 'gear up' for after-school clashes.

By 23 February, the Metropolitan Police Service issued its first warning about online posts promoting 'planned Red vs Blue school gatherings.' In the following days, AI-generated graphics circulated listing more than two dozen London schools as members of either the 'red' or 'blue' side.

Some posts urged teenagers to bring everyday items such as scissors, rulers or compasses to use asimprovised weapons. Others suggested meeting points in parks or shopping centres.

Reports of similar posts soon appeared in Bristol, Leicester, Northamptonshire and parts of the West Midlands, prompting several schools to advise students to travel home in groups and avoid gathering in public spaces after lessons.

Policeconfirmed two arrestslinked to the trend on 1 March in central east London.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the MET Police said, 'On Sunday, 1 March at approximately 18:45hrs, Met officers arrested two individuals in Central East London in connection with a recent trend of social media posts. Both suspects, a man aged in his 20s and a boy aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of encouraging or assisting in a crime.'

Both were later released on bail while investigations continue. Authorities said the arrests were part of a wider effort to prevent violence linked to the trend. Patrols were increased around school gates and transport hubs, and officers worked with schools and parents to monitor online activity.

Source: International Business Times UK