Following my email on Monday of this week regarding social media posts inciting violence in a ‘Red vs Blue war’ I wanted to update parents on steps that I have taken regarding this matter. 

Firstly, engagement with the police. Content was reported through to the Met Police on Monday of this week, we received two letters in response, one directed at primary and another at secondary phase. This largely repeated the messages that we have already given to parents regarding increased vigilance. 

What is not made clear is what action the police have taken at this time, or what they have put in place moving forward. I know that these concerns are shared by all Headteachers in the borough. As the current chair of the Hounslow Headteachers Network I have been pushing for the police to engage more proactively with schools for over 6 months. We have a meeting next Thursday with the West Area Sergeant. 

On Monday evening I also raised this issue with Seema Malhotra MP. She has informed me that this issue has been referred to the Policing Minister. I will be raising more formally my wider concerns around this issue, that is how it is even possible in the age of AI for such messages of violence and hate to be published online without having been filtered. Social Media companies must answer for the hatred that is allowed to fester on their platforms. 

I know that many parents are worried about this ongoing situation. Though I can in no way eliminate this worry, I take comfort in the following:

• Awareness of this issue amongst adults in the area is high, parents are alert
• There is not a single parent I have spoken to that has not raised this with their children
• Students are aware and, at least in our case, are activity against involvement

As a final reminder, we are here to support your children. Should you feel the need to contact us about anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

Stay safe.