A man has been arrested twice after an exhibition honouring the Windrush generation was vandalised in Brixton.
Police were called to reports of vandalism at Windrush Square shortly after 6am on Thursday after as many as 20 photographs were spray-painted or scratched with a sharp object, in what campaigners have called an “act of racial hatred”.
Detectives are understood to be exploring all positive motives for the vandalism, but based on their enquiries so far they do not believe the incident was racially motivated.
Officers first arrested a 24-year-old man on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism and he was taken to hospital due to concerns for his welfare.
Once he was returned to custody, the suspect was then arrested again on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property, the Met Police said.
He has since been released on bail pending further police enquiries.
A fundraiser has since raised over £4,000 to help replace the damaged portraits, which featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition.
Friends of Windrush Square believed the vandalism was deliberate and described it as “a blatant act of racial hatred directed at a community that has given so much to the life and spirit of the UK” shortly after the damage was discovered.
The group’s chair Ros Griffiths told the Standard: “It’s very upsetting. A couple of weeks ago it was Windrush Day and hundreds came out to remember the legacy of the Windrush Generation.
“The exhibition had been up for two weeks. I urged everyone to stand in solidarity with the Windrush Generation.”
Ms Griffiths explained she believes the incident was carried out deliberately as all of the portraits in the public exhibition have been defaced.
She continued: “Windrush Untold Stories was created to celebrate the contributions and resilience of the Windrush Generation, whose story is central to the fabric of British life.
“That it should be targeted in such a hateful way is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in building an inclusive and respectful society.”
The Met Police previously said neighbourhood officers had been in contact with the exhibition’s organiser and are providing reassurance to the community.
The vandalism has shocked residents, artists and volunteers who took part in the project, with many having a direct connection to the Windrush Generation.
Among those featured in the exhibition was the late Clovis Salmon, affectionately known as Sam the Wheels — a documentarian, photographer and proud member of the Windrush Generation. His work chronicled decades of Black British history and community life.
The exhibition cost £100,000 to set up and was funded by Lambeth Council, Ms Griffiths explained.
She told the Standard that Mr Salmon had died in June, just weeks before the exhibition opened, and the vandalism had been particularly painful for those who were close to him.
“He didn’t get to see his portrait on the square,” she said, adding that his family had been distressed by the damage.
She said: “They thought it was a really fitting tribute to their father and grandfather’s legacy.”
Police enquiries continue. Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1182/July3.
