Schools in South Yorkshire have sent letters home encouraging parents to discuss the dangers of an emerging ‘red vs blue school wars’ trend.

Originating in London, the trend splits schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’, with a points system set in place promoting violence between pupils.

South Yorkshire Police has implemented patrols around involved schools as a precaution.

Deirdre Cleary, headteacher of Notre Dame High School in Fulwood, said in a letter home to parents: “We will be checking in with students, reminding them of the importance of staying safe when travelling and seeking safe spaces such as shops if they ever feel threatened or worried.”

Mrs Cleary added: “While we do not want to cause unnecessary concern, it is important that students are aware and cautious.”

Other schools, including Outwood Academy City, Wickersley Academy, and Birley Academy, have issued their own warnings to parents and carers about the unfolding trend.

Messages circulating reportedly discuss meet-ups outside of school hours, as well as the promotion of targeting other students based on their school uniform.

Parents on Facebook are calling for a temporary suspension of uniform policy so pupils cannot be identified on their way home from school in order to prevent any violent behaviour based on which side of the division each school is on.

A boy, 13, was arrested on Tuesday 10 March in relation to posts he made on social media promoting the violence between students.

He has been released on conditional bail.

Officers arrested him on suspicion of malicious communications, encouraging or assisting crime, and an alleged public order offence.

Inspector Katie Hammond from South Yorkshire Police said: “Behind the scenes we have also been actively monitoring social media and carrying out intelligence checks, and doing all we can to track down the accounts responsible and shut them down.”

Inspector Hammond said: “The overwhelming majority of children here in South Yorkshire understand this trend is reckless and irresponsible, and not at all reflective of the real, positive relationships which exist between our educational establishments, young people, and communities.”

The trend has been described as “scare mongering” by Nottinghamshire Police, who also have a plan in place to combat this situation.

To report suspicious activity, you can call 101 to reach the South Yorkshire Police, or visit their website for more information.