Two individuals, a man in his 20s and a 15-year-old boy, have been apprehended in Central East London for their alleged involvement in a viral online trend known as “Red vs Blue.” The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests, made on suspicion of promoting or facilitating criminal activities, which are linked to a recent social media craze encouraging students to partake in violent altercations.

Reports indicate that the trend prompted London schools to issue alerts and led to an escalation in police presence due to online posts suggesting the organization of physical confrontations involving items like compasses and metal combs.

Referred to as “Red vs Blue” online, the trend gained traction on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, proposing clashes between students from different schools after classes. Participants were divided into color-coded teams, with some posts advising individuals to arm themselves with sharp objects.

These posts and viral videos incited violence under the guise of scoring “points” against opponents, with mentions of specific schools and instructions for participants to equip themselves with various weapons like scissors, rulers, knives, compasses, combs, and fireworks.

Although no actual physical altercations have been reported, police took preventive measures by issuing Section 35 disposal orders to deter potential incidents. The dissemination of misleading content, including AI-generated imagery of individuals in red and blue masks, is believed to have fueled the chaos.

Following the arrests, a significant police presence has been deployed outside London schools as a precautionary measure. Authorities emphasized the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, educational institutions, and parents in safeguarding young individuals from the repercussions of the social media trend.