Forest Gate Pride flags have been vandalized with red paint repeatedly in homophobic hate crimes

Three Pride flags painted on an east London street have been vandalized with red paint within days. People found the two large rainbow flags painted outside Forest Gate station covered in red paint on Sunday, June 23.

Newham Council quickly repainted the flags, but then on Wednesday June 26 they were covered in red paint again. The council says it will repaint the flags, according to a local activist.

The Metropolitan Police say they are treating the two incidents as homophobic hate crimes. They are also looking into a similar incident in early March and investigating whether it is related. No one has been arrested yet.

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The incidents coincide with the end of Pride Month, which covers the month of June. The month is meant to celebrate the UK’s LGBTQ+ community. The Pride in London march is coming up soon – Saturday 29th June.

“Our community is deeply hurt and angered by these hateful actions,” said Forest Gate resident and activist Reece Jackson. “Pride flags are a symbol of love, acceptance and inclusion. These repeated acts of vandalism are not only attacks on our flags, but on the values ​​they represent.”

Detective Inspector James Rush, from the North East Public Protection Unit, said: “We recognize that these incidents have caused considerable concern and upset in the local area and amongst the local LGBTQ+ community, particularly as it happened during the month Pride and only in a few days. before London Pride.

“We share this concern and anger and understand how intimidating this type of crime can be, which is why we remain committed to removing hate crime offenders and preventing further incidents.

“I would like to reassure the community that we take these offenses very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. This type of misconduct 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 explore whether this incident is also linked.”

DI Rush is encouraging anyone with information to come forward. He added: “I would urge anyone with 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 dashcam footage, please contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or visiting quoting reference 2433/23Jun.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.