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Police and Headteachers write to parents over viral “school wars’ post in Harlow

Crime / Sat 7th Mar 2026 at 11:58am

ESSEX Police has written to parents at a number of schools in Harlow regarding a viral “school wars” trend.

The letter was prompted by a viral online poster warning of “red versus blue school wars”.

The posts follow a simple formula: they divide local schools into two rival groups, notify people on social media and ask: “Who will rule Harlow?”

Chief Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French has written to parents. See below.

This has also promoted schools to also write to parents.

One deputy head has told parents:

“Our staff remain highly vigilant and are briefed on local concerns that may affect our pupils.

“We have been notified by Essex Police that our school has been named on a school wars post”.

The school has then issued advice regarding: Journey to School, Digital Conduct and Communication.

On Wednesday evening, the Met Police confirmed that two people have been arrested with the trend.

The suspects, a man aged in his 20s and a boy aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of “encouraging or assisting in a crime”.

For more on this in London, go to London Centric

2 Comments for Police and Headteachers write to parents over viral “school wars’ post in Harlow:

Gonestone Pigledge
2026-03-08 04:50:41

People who look to divide children should get prosecuted and hopefully locked up. I understand a police investigation is underway to find the culprits who instigated this vile trend .

Sue
2026-03-09 12:08:14

Very worrying given the times we live in. Hoping Police and schools work together successfully . Hoping parents are ALL sitting their youngsters down and explaining the dangers and repercussions of negative actions and the devastation violence can cause. I feel for those with youngsters .

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