A chilling threat is escalating in Hackney, London, as a pre-planned series of fights between students from eight different schools has been organized. The disturbing plan, fueled by social media, explicitly encourages violence and the use of weapons.
Just days after a shocking stabbing incident at a London school left two pupils seriously injured, this new development has ignited widespread fear. Year 9 students are being urged to confront rivals outside a McDonald’s on Mare Street, with the organized conflict scheduled to unfold over the coming days.
A social media post has meticulously listed the involved schools – City Academy, Cardinal Pole, Haggerston School, Urswick School, The Excelsior Academy, Bridge Academy, Mossbourne Community Academy, and City of London Academy Shoreditch Park – dividing them into opposing teams for the “Hackney War.”
The instructions are stark and deeply troubling: students are told to “jump” and film anyone identified as belonging to the opposing team, then upload the footage to a designated TikTok account. The encouragement of violence is compounded by reports that students are being equipped with dangerous items like compasses and metal combs.
One grandmother, whose grandson attends one of the schools, voiced her desperate plea for action. She recounted contacting each school, only to be met with what she described as disinterest, despite the recent tragedy and the potential for severe consequences.
Her fears are amplified by the location itself – Mare Street is a pedestrianized zone, offering little opportunity for escape or intervention. She paints a terrifying picture of a pupil simply walking through the area and becoming a target, describing the situation as “a disaster waiting to happen.”
Authorities are responding, with the City of London Academies Trust issuing a statement condemning the planned violence and pledging to work with parents, police, and local partners to ensure student safety. They emphasized that such behavior is “completely unacceptable” and “will not be tolerated.”
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are aware of the social media posts and are actively investigating to identify those responsible. They have vowed a “robust approach” to any violence, utilizing anti-social behavior laws and increasing patrols in the Hackney area to reassure the community.
The situation underscores a growing concern about youth violence in London, and the dangerous influence of social media in escalating conflicts. The potential for serious injury, and the psychological impact on those involved, are deeply worrying as the planned confrontations draw nearer.
