Overview
- The Lowfield Road vandalism, which police believe happened Tuesday night, left seven homes splashed with red and black paint and the word "brothel" on a basement flat.
- Metropolitan Police opened a criminal-damage inquiry and said they retain an open mind on motive as officers continue door-to-door work and review evidence.
- CCTV from a separate Acton case last month captured vandals speaking Mandarin, and criminologist Oliver Chan notes Triad groups have historically used red paint to frighten rivals or pressure debtors.
- Residents described shock and sleepless nights, reporting cleanup bills in the thousands after Camden Council declined to fund removal, while local firm Treehab Arboricultural has helped repaint for free.
- The attack follows similar red-and-black paint cases reported in recent years in the same NW6 area and in cities such as Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Reading and Huddersfield.