'Trauma' as Pride flags vandalised for fifth time

Pride flags vandalised for the fifth time in north-east London have left residents "traumatised", a local LGBTQ+ organisation says.

The flags, which are on the pavement near Forest Gate railway station, were covered with white paint on Monday.

They were also vandalised on 9 March, as well as on 23 and 26 June and 19 July.

Rob DesRoches, founder of Forest Gayte Pride, said the organisation would work with Newham Council to repair or replace the flags, adding: "We feel that people have been traumatised by the repeated vandalism, which needs to be sorted out now. The healing process needs to take place."

The Metropolitan Police previously said it was treating the vandalism as a homophobic and transphobic hate crime.

Det Insp James Rush said the force was keeping an "open mind" as to whether the latest report of vandalism was actually an attempt to "cover up the previous defacement".

Mr DesRoches said: "Fixing this problem quickly is essential now."

He said finding the "right solution" had been a "communal process" that Newham mayor Rohksana Fiaz had initiated, but after the latest vandalism, "we are looking to the council for action".

"Forest Gayte Pride feels we must not compromise and hide our visibility because a few in the area choose hate over acceptance, love, and community."

Mr DesRoches said the organisation would work with the council to expedite repairing or replacing the flags.

In July, the Met Police made an appeal to help identify a person suspected of vandalising the flags.

A spokesperson for the force said it had examined CCTV in the area, made house-to-house inquiries and carried out forensic investigations.

Det Insp Rush said: “I can assure the local community, and in particular the LGBTQ+ community, that our investigation into the linked series of incidents of homophobic and transphobic criminal damage in Forest Gate very much continues.

“Based on some of the evidence gathered as well as information received in response to our appeal for information from the public, a man in his 40s was arrested and released on bail while inquiries continued. The decision has now been made to take no further action in relation to that man.

“This is a challenging investigation and we will do everything we can to identify the person responsible for the earlier incidents, or the people responsible for the newest incident.”

A spokesperson for Newham Council said the fifth incident had been reported and it was working "closely" with the police.

"We will continue to support the ongoing investigation," they said. “The council has also acted to increase CCTV coverage in the area.

“As a council we are working directly with the LGBTQ+ community to hear their views and identify options to replace or enhance the original flag designs."

They added the mayor continued to meet with representatives of the community to "lend solidarity, support and reassurance".

“Hate has no place in Newham and we will continue our efforts to ensure the borough is a safe and inclusive place for all of our communities."

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