One said attendance had dropped to 55 per cent at their child’s school
Wigston Academy(Image: Google Street View)
Scared, angry and torn – that was the mood among Leicester parents as the “Red v Blue school war” threat left schools across the city and county with empty seats.
Many said they faced an agonising choice between keeping their children safe and ensuring they did not miss school.
Police confirmed last night that no disorder was reported anywhere in Leicester on Thursday, March 5, the date listed in viral Snapchat and TikTok posts for a first “round” of organised pupil fights.
Officers from East Leicester’s Neighbourhood Policing Area stepped up patrols around schools and parks throughout the day alongside Leicester City Council’s outreach team.
Sergeant Cooper, East Leicester Deputy Commander, said patrols found nothing. “Not a single sighting of the Red vs Blue school rivalry. No disorder reported anywhere in Leicester relating to this,” he said.
“Basically… absolutely nothing happened.”
But for many parents, the damage was already done. One told Leicestershire Live she had spoken to the head of year at Wigston Academy at the school gates, who confirmed attendance had dropped to just 55 per cent on Thursday.
“I am torn, obviously I don’t want to put my child at risk, but also I don’t want him to miss out on his curriculum,” she said.
A parent who identified herself as Mrs Kaur, from Avanti Fields School, said the school had put extra measures in place, including additional staff at the gates at the start and end of the school day.
But she said many parents remained unconvinced. “Children who walk home could be identified with their uniforms, and their safety is not ensured,” she said.
“Many parents I know have already decided not to send the kids to school.”
Another parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said her daughter, in Year 10 and son, in Year 8, at Babington School had both been kept home.
“It’s okay saying police will be around the area, but there are hundreds of children all leaving at the same time,” she said. “It’s a risk I’m not willing to take; I know my two are safe at home.”
St Paul’s Catholic School on Spencefield Lane also wrote to parents warning of specific rumours of planned fights at Davenport Drive, Evington Park and the area around Manor High School.
St Paul’s Catholic School(Image: Google)
The school confirmed police had visited the headteacher and committed to a local presence on the day.
One St Paul’s parent said their Year 8 son had been “extremely scared” after hearing pupils talk about bringing compasses to school as weapons.
The story also sparked a wave of reaction on social media. “In the old days, there were always fights between schools, but these days we know they will take knives,” wrote one commenter.
Another added: “Parents need to be onto this as well as schools, make sure you’re checking their phones and bags.”
One parent struck a lighter note, pointing out it was World Book Day: “My son has gone to school dressed as Mario. The only thing he plans on carrying is a plunger.”
Several older residents reflected on how much had changed, with one writing: “In my day, it was snowball wars between schools, how things have changed.”
Another added: “Never had this when we were at school, used to play each other on Xbox and whoever won that was the beef settled. None of this roadman wannabe knife battling.”
A second date, Thursday, March 12, remains listed in the original posts. A police spokeswoman confirmed the force was unaware of any arrests or reports of disorder connected to the threat.