An east London borough has suffered its ninth “red paint” vandalism attack overnight, with the targeted property also being daubed with the word “brothel”.
The incident happened at 4am on Friday in Lea Bridge Road in Walthamstow, where other incidents have been reported over the last few months.
CCTV images obtained by The Standard show a hooded attacker smear the street-level front doors of two maisonettes with the paint, then move down the street to spread paint onto neighbouring businesses.
The attacker – who appeared to be acting alone – then returned within seconds with more paint, which is thrown at the front doors.
But police sources said the property was not believed to be a brothel.
A William Hill bookmaker, a coffee shop and a Turkish barber’s shop also had red paint thrown at their windows or shutters.
A sponge or cloth was used to spread the paint. It appeared the attacker had parked a car - or other vehicle - beside an adjacent bus stop.
The incident appears to bear all the hallmarks of previous attacks that have reportedly been linked to a suspected turf war among Chinese gangs.
The Met police said officers attended the scene on Friday afternoon. Officers are exploring whether all nine incidents in or near Walthamstow are linked.
On Friday morning a male occupant of the targeted property, near the junction with Shernhall Street, was seen trying to clean up the paint and remove the “brothel” graffiti from the front door.
The man said he spoke little English and was unable to give The Standard a reason for why the property would have been targeted.
The male occupier of the adjacent maisonette appeared mystified by the attack but was unable to answer questions as he spoke little English.
But one shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, told The Standard that he often saw men being escorted into the maisonette that was the target of the attack.
He said police had visited the property around five months ago after allegations that it was being used for prostitution.
Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, told The Standard: “This is now the ninth such attack in our community - residents are understandably concerned at what is going on as clear this isn’t a one off, but targeted and organised activity designed to intimidate and harass.
“I appeal to the Mayor and the ministers to help us get the policing resources we need to get to the bottom of this once and for all.”
The Met police said in a statement to The Standard: "On May 16 at 14:11hrs, officers attended an address on Lea Bridge Road, Walthamstow, after reports of vandalism.
"An investigation is underway and no arrests have been made at this stage.
"This is the ninth similar incident of vandalism in the area. Officers are exploring whether they are all linked.
"We understand the concern in the community and are increasing patrols, anyone with any information is encouraged to call 101 referencing CAD 3584/16MAY25."
The Standard reported in March that a house in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, had been covered in red paint in apparently mysterious circumstances.
A week earlier, other homes, businesses and cars had been vandalised with red paint.
Other night-time attacks across the country have included suggestions that the targeted properties were being used as brothels.
CCTV footage of an earlier incident in Acton, obtained by the London Centric website, recorded the attackers speaking in Mandarin.
Oliver Chan, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Birmingham, previously suggested the attacks may have been carried out by gangsters attempting to intimidate rivals running brothels or people in debt to loan sharks.
Mr Chan said that “red paint splashing” was a tactic regularly used by loan sharks in Hong Kong and cities in mainland China to remind the owners to pay their debts or to intimidate rivals.
