Thanet schools, including St George’s and Chatham and Clarendon Grammar, have alerted parents that police will be putting a dispersal order in place and carrying out patrols in response to a worrying TikTok and Snapchat trend that is encouraging violence between youngsters.
The trend, which is gathering pace around the country, incites students to fight youngsters in other schools.
Kent Police has been working with Thanet schools due to ‘concerning activity this week’ and a scheduled ‘Thanet Wars’ outside Ramsgate Railway Station involving six schools dubbed red and blue sides.
A message to parents says: “Kent Police is aware of one such fight reportedly scheduled to take place at Ramsgate train station on Friday afternoon, involving young people from local schools.
“Kent Police has issued a statement that will be shared with pupils in school today.
“As a result, officers will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any individuals intending to participate in violent conduct.
“A dispersal order will be in place and police officers will be patrolling the area. They will stop, search, disperse or arrest any individuals considered to be attending the area to engage in a fight.
“All schools in the area are committed to ensuring that the local community remains safe and we will take strong action if any pupils from our school are involved.”
Snapchat and Tiktok have community guidelines that state any content glorifying violence, containing threats or promoting crimes will be removed from platforms.
Chief Inspector for Thanet, Ian Swallow, said: “We’re aware of social media posts encouraging violence amongst school pupils. Officers have been in contact with schools across Thanet to offer reassurance and guidance.
“There will be an increased presence of officers in Thanet today, with a section 34 dispersal order in place from 2pm today to 2pm on Sunday 1 March .
“Anyone considering joining these gatherings should think again as officers will respond robustly to any disorder.”
