High-visibility patrols around city and county schools after ‘fear-mongering’ School Wars posts

High-visibility patrols will be operating across some of Nottingham’s schools and colleges to offer reassurance to parents and pupils.

This comes after a national social media post inciting pupils to engage in ‘School Wars.’

There is no police intelligence that any of these social media posts, which mention Nottingham, will be acted upon and are only being used to promote fear and anxiety amongst the public.

High-visibility patrols will be deployed to a number of schools in the area at the end of school time to offer the public further reassurance.

School and early intervention officers who work across our secondary schools will also be offering support and guidance.

Chief Superintendent Nick Waldram said:

“We completely understand the anxiety and fear these social media posts have caused across our local community.

“As a parent myself, it is vitally important that measures are put in place to ensure that our community feels reassured that we are taking this matter seriously.

“This is why you will see high-visibility patrols across some of our city and county schools this evening.

“The intelligence we have collated suggests this is nothing more than a fear-mongering online trend to divide our communities rather than this escalating into a physical incident.

“However, we will always keep an open mind and work on rolling intelligence we receive. But there is absolutely nothing for parents to worry about at this moment in time.

“There has been a lot of speculation about a stabbing at NUAST yesterday where a 15-year-old boy was attacked by another pupil known to him.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with School Wars. However, we understand the concerns in light of this online trend.

“Anyone who is concerned then please do not hesitate to talk to one of our officers at the scene, by calling 101, or reporting through our online portal.

“Anyone who wishes to incite violence by posting these social media posts or participate in any sort of violence within our community will be dealt with robustly.”