An update and information about a recent trend seen on social media
Several London Boroughs, including Harrow, are experiencing a rise in social media accounts that reference local secondary schools. The accounts have labelled schools as “red” or “blue” groups and encourage pupils to start confrontations, film them and post them online. This has gained attention in the media and online. Encouraging, organising or promoting violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
We are working closely with the police and our secondary schools to ensure the safety of young people. The Police are monitoring the online activity, asking for harmful accounts be removed. They have increased their presence around Harrow schools to provide reassurance, at this point, there is no evidence of any related incidents in Harrow or in nearby boroughs.
If you work with or have a young person attending a Harrow (or local) High School, here are some helpful tips:
- Talk to them, where appropriate, about staying safe online and making sensible choices.
- Remind them not to get involved with or share harmful content
- If a young person or parent raises concerns – particularly relating to the “red/blue” school groupings currently circulating online – please report this to the police .
How to report concerns or issues
Report issues to the Police using 101. In an emergency, always call 999