Police probe after red paint used to deface Pride flags in Newham

Detectives are appealing for information after a number of Pride flags were vandalised by two men in north east London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers are linking the homophobic attacks in Forest Gate, Newham .

Red paint was daubed over a large painted Pride flag on the pavement outside Forest Gate railway station in Woodgrange Road early on Sunday.

Newham Council repainted it but a further report was made on Wednesday regarding criminal damage to two other flags at the same location.

At this early stage of the investigation, no arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

LGBT campaigner Reece Jackson called the hate shown during Pride Month “deeply troubling”, adding: “This initiative, supported by the council, was a significant step toward inclusivity and representation.

“The council promptly repainted the flags after the initial defacement, showing their continued support for our community.

“Unfortunately, the flags were defaced again in the early morning of Wednesday, with an eyewitness reporting seeing two men committing the act.

“We believe it is crucial to bring this issue to the public's attention to raise awareness about the ongoing hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community in Forest Gate.

“Our community is deeply hurt and angered by these actions, and we are calling for greater support and vigilance to ensure that such hateful acts do not continue.”

Detective Inspector James Rush, from the North East Area’s Public Protection Unit, said: “We recognise that these incidents have caused considerable concern and upset in the local area and among the local LGBTQ + community, especially as it has happened during Pride Month and only days before London Pride.

“We share that concern and upset and understand how intimidating this sort of offence can be, which is why we remain committed to rooting out hate crime offenders and preventing further incidents.

“I would like to reassure the community that we are taking these offences very seriously and we are carrying out a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. This type of offending will not be tolerated.

“We are also aware of previous allegations of homophobic criminal damage at the same location, including in early March, and as part of our investigation we will be exploring whether this incident is also linked.”

He added: “I would urge anyone who has any information about who is responsible, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Saturday night into Sunday morning, or Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, to get in touch. If you were driving in the area at the time and have dash cam footage, please also contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or visiting, quoting reference 2433/23Jun, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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