Escalating violence between two rival schoolgirl gangs needs to be stamped out before someone is killed or seriously hurt, it was warned last night.

The battling factions — self-dubbed the Pretty Girls from Berkeley Institute and the Honey Dips from CedarBridge Academy — have been clashing for months, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

None of the confrontations between the teenagers — including an alleged face slashing and a mass fight — have taken place on the grounds of the two public senior schools.

Lisa Trott, president of Bermuda Union of Teachers, warned that some of the girls could be armed with weapons and that the trouble could lead to a fatality or wounding if not dealt with.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman confirmed yesterday that Police were aware of the situation and that arrests had been made in connection with one incident. “Investigations into that incident are ongoing,” he said.

Ms Trott, who was speaking as a worried community member and parent and not on behalf of the union, told this newspaper she was informed by the mother of one of the girls that the situation had got “very much out of hand to the point where the girls are carrying weapons”.

She said: “There was an incident not too long ago where about 100 kids from CedarBridge Academy attacked Berkeley kids down at Bernard Park in the earlier part of the year.”

Ms Trott claimed that in a separate incident a Berkeley student had her face slashed and that there was trouble on Bermuda Day last month and last weekend.

“Parents from both schools have tried to get everyone in for meetings,” she said. “They had a big meeting but nothing was resolved. The thing is taking on such a life of its own that where it started originally isn’t even the point.

“We have got to the point where these girls can’t go anywhere. They certainly shouldn’t be in danger when they go out of the front door.”

Ms Trott, a guidance counsellor at Whitney Institute Middle School, added: “I am speaking out not on behalf of the union or in connection with my job but as the mother of a 15-year-old girl.

“My concern is that people don’t know about this and people don’t know how serious it is. With these girls carrying weapons it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets killed. The community has to be aware of this type of situation.”

Mother-of-two Ms Trott warned that the dispute could heighten during the summer months when the youngsters had too much time on their hands and she urged the public to be alert.

“I just have a real fear and concern that something very serious is going to happen,” she said. “At that point everybody will say: ‘what can we do?’. We have all the warning signs. It’s just an escalating situation that I think deserves some attention.”

Berkeley Institute principal Michelle Simmons stressed that none of the confrontations were happening on school property. “I have a feeling that there is some animosity between these girls going back to when they have been in middle school,” Mrs. Simmons said.

“Our goal is to try to make sure our young people know how to settle disputes without resorting to violence. I’m sure that both schools are working towards that end.”

A Ministry of Education spokeswoman said: “The senior school principals and their respective boards of governors have been made aware of conflict between some of their female students. Both Mrs. (Kalmar) Richards and Mrs. Simmons expressed regret that the young ladies did not seek a peaceful resolution to their problems.

“The principals hope that the young ladies involved will take advantage of the peaceful means that have been offered to bring their dispute to an end.”

The Police spokesman added: “Police continue to work with the schools, the schools’ resource officers, the families and the students involved to achieve a suitable solution for all.”

* Are you a parent concerned about your child’s involvement in the conflict? Call Sam Strangeways on 278-0155 or email sstrangeways[AT]royalgazette.bm.