Fake school violence condemned as ‘malicious clickbait’

Cally Councillor Paul Convery has condemned the AI-generated claims of “school wars” across London. But he has also urged parents and schools to remain vigilant. The Met Police has made arrests of the alleged perpetrators of online disinformation.

Secondary schools in Islington, Hackney and Camden have been on alert for several weeks after online postings that announced violence between school children. As a result, hundreds of police officers across London have been rostered to provide reassurance outside schools and after-school locations. Not surprisingly many young people and parents have been alarmed and anxious.

There are memes announcing school violence in almost every Borough and in numerous cities outside London for most of the last month. But not a single incident has been reported. It is fabricated, faked-up.

The response of most Islington schools has been calm and proportionate. Many parents will be relieved to hear that schools confirm that any “incitement has remained online … and there has been an increased presence from Community Support Officers.”

The Met Police continues to work closely with all secondary schools across the borough, including those that have been named online. A local policing plan has remained in place week, with officers assigned to secondary schools and additional patrols focused on travel hubs and known after-school gathering areas. This activity is intended to provide reassurance, visibility and early intervention, and to prevent, disrupt and deter any potential offending behaviour.

Cllr Paul Convery says: “This ‘war’ is malicious and dangerous ‘clickbait’. But it is not nothing. It’s all over social media and kids may get anxious about it. Councillors have been approached by families in Cally asking for reassurance. I’m the parent of two teenage boys in Cally so I’m vigilant but not panicking.

“Whoever is behind this is incredibly irresponsible. The police and schools have had to mount huge re-assurance operations across many Boroughs. And many, many parents have become very anxious.”

“The police announced that arrests have been made of those who may be behind this. If so, I hope they get prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.”

“This episode has shown just how harmful social media can be in amplifying fears and stoking divisions where none exist.”

A thorough and objective account of ‘school wars’ was published on 3rd March.