Police have launched an investigation after video footage of two fights between CedarBridge Academy students was circulated on social media.

The Royal Gazette has seen sickening scenes in which one boy appears to get knocked unconscious after being repeatedly kicked in the head in a violent confrontation that took place in a school bathroom.

In that clip, which lasts one minute, a schoolboy is seen repeatedly punching his smaller victim in the head before throwing him to the ground, kicking him and spitting on him.

He then grips the dazed youngster by the hair and smashes his knee into his face several times before walking away.

Other pupils can be seen watching the fight, but doing nothing to intervene. One washes his hands at a sink while another is glued to his mobile phone.

The clip ends with the victim on his knees gradually losing consciousness. It is only at this point that another boy comes to his aid.

A second video shows two boys — again wearing CedarBridge uniforms — exchanging heavy blows for almost three minutes in the same location.

The fight ends when one of the protagonists is grappled to the ground by his opponent, who begins kicking him in the stomach. A third bigger boy then joins in, stomping and kicking ferociously at the victim as he lay curled in a defensive position.

Again, other pupils can be seen in the bathroom, casually looking on — immune to the gratuitous violence.

One parent, whom The Royal Gazette will not name, said: “With kids in the public system myself, I find this quite upsetting. My kids haven’t reached that level of schooling yet, but they’re not far off.

“The boys in the video are particularly vicious, and in one case the boy looks as if he loses consciousness. I’m quite disgusted by this behaviour, and if I were a parent at this school, I would want to be made aware that this type of thing is happening — even if my children weren’t involved.”

A police spokesman confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the two CedarBridge incidents.

The spokesman added that another inquiry was under way into a separate incident involving two girls. Footage of that altercation, also seen by The Royal Gazette, shows one girl approaching another in a residential neighbourhood while being egged on by several other females, including an older woman.

The pair clash and exchange blows before tussling each other to the ground. During this time, the older woman can be heard calling the aggressor by name and shouting: “Get her, *****, get her, *****. Keep your head up, *****.”

After about 30 seconds, a second adult arrives at the scene and pulls the girls apart.

The police spokesman said: “The Bermuda Police Service are aware of several video clips circulating on social media, depicting children engaged in physical altercations at different locations.

“In some of the video clips, those involved are dressed in school uniform. In another, those involved are dressed in plain clothes, at a private residence.

“We are actively investigating these incidents and urge anyone with information to come forward and assist us.

“We encourage you not to forward these images on should you receive them and instead, delete them from your devices.

“The safety and wellbeing of our young people are of utmost importance, and we need the community’s support to prevent further incidents.”

Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, expressed shock at the footage.

She said in a joint statement with the CedarBridge board of governors: “I have seen the video, and I am gravely concerned about the appalling behaviour of the students involved and the inaction of those who stood by without intervening.

“Incidents like these are not only alarming but entirely unacceptable. The ministry maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards violence on our school campuses.

"I will work closely with the school to take swift and decisive action in addressing this matter, and we will utilise every measure available under the legislation to address this matter swiftly and decisively."

Lindsay Simmons, the chairwoman of the board of governors, described the two incidents as “unacceptable”.

She said: “This behaviour violates the values and standards of our institution. We have commenced the necessary steps to address this unacceptable behaviour per our policies, and the issuing of consequences has also commenced.

“Violence has no place at CedarBridge Academy. Our priority is to provide a secure, respectful and orderly environment where students can focus on their education. We are actively working with students, parents and staff to reinforce expectations, enhance disciplinary measures and prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

“CedarBridge Academy is committed to maintaining a school community built on respect, unity and accountability. Those who disrupt this environment will be addressed appropriately."

The Bermuda Union of Teachers bemoaned “a growing trend” of violent acts in schools.

A spokesman in a statement said that violence was causing “anxiety” among students and staff, and should not be tolerated.

The spokesman said: “Our members are often hesitant to get involved when violence is brought to school because teachers, support staff and administrators are often left exposed, and can be put on indefinite leave if any allegations are made by students or parents. This is a longstanding issue that we are very concerned about.

“Worker safety, as always, is a top priority for this and any union. Furthermore, being dedicated, professional educators, and many of us parents as well, we are naturally seriously concerned for the safety of our students.

“This union believes that the Department of Education must act emphatically to curb this alarming trend of violence against students and staff in our schools.

“We wholeheartedly agree and empathise with the concerns of parents, students and our members, who all have a right to have a peace of mind when they enter any school building across the island.”

• Anyone with information concerning any of the incidents is asked to contact the Bermuda Police Service at 295-0011. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers on 800-8477, or through theBPS community reporting portal

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