Police have arrested a man on suspicion of committing a hate crime after a TikTokker appeared to film himself “destroying” a south London primary school gardening display during Pride Month.
A 21-year-old was arrested on Tuesday after footage of a man causing “alarm and distress” by pushing over rainbow coloured planters and ripping off messages of support for diversity written by children for a project in Bromley Town Centre was posted to the platform.
Police said they arrested a 21-year-old and are holding him in custody adding the project was “quickly restored” for everyone to enjoy.
Sam Webber, Lib Dem Councillor for Bromley Town, thanked the authorities for treating the incident as a hate crime.
He tweeted: “I’m very pleased to see swift action was taken in this case, following the awful incident yesterday in Bromley High Steet.
“I also welcome that it’s being treated as an anti-LGBTQ hate crime, having seen the horrendous video myself.”
The entry for St James RC Primary School highlighting Kindness, Respect and Diversity was tipped over last. Its description read: “The children are very excited to be able to share with our local community, the behaviours that are central to life at St.James”.
Gary Allen, Bromley town centre inspector for the Met, said: “Bromley Officers acted swiftly yesterday (Sunday) to arrest a male in relation to the criminal damage to planters in the town centre.
“The male concerned published footage of himself committing damage to floral displays.
“The displays formed part of a primary school gardening project.
“The suspect remains in custody at this time as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Officers are treating this incident as a motivated hate crime attack on our LGBTQ+ communities.”
The planters were installed in Bromley High Street for local pupils to showcase their school values in an event called Floral Fest.
None of those listed on the awards website had overt LGBTQ+ themes.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Bromley Town Centre officers acted swiftly to arrest a man in relation to criminal damage to planters which were part of a primary school gardening project celebrating Pride Month.
“Footage on social media has caused understandable alarm and distress, and officers are treating this as a hate -motivated incident.
“We want to reassure our local LGBTQ+ communities that we will deal with any such incident with the utmost seriousness.”
They added: “The display was quickly restored and remains in place for everyone to enjoy.”
“The man, aged 21, was arrested on Tuesday and remains in custody while officers investigate.”
The planters were installed in Bromley High Street for local pupils to showcase their school values in an event called Floral Fest.
