Over 40 crosses were daubed on homes, walls, and street furniture and in and around Bushwood early on Saturday morning (13th September), reports Marco Marcelline
Leytonstone residents have rallied to remove St George crosses which were graffitied on homes, walls, and street furniture on Saturday morning (13th September).
Over 40 crosses were daubed in and around Bushwood, including Mornington, Barclay, Lister, Harvey, and Michael Roads.
The graffiti came on the same day that over 100,000 people attended a central London rally organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Photos shared of the graffiti on social media prompted overwhelming backlash from locals, who described it as “threatening” and “unsettling”.
One Leytonstone resident, writing on Facebook, said: “I have no problem with flags. I have every kind of problem with flags used to intimidate other humans. Not here. Not anywhere. Whoever did this needs a bloody good talking to, and keep their tiny kind of England out of Leytonstone.”
Another said: “They don’t even look good. If it was done artistically then fair enough but these are just idiots defacing our borough.”
In response to the graffiti, Leytonstoner Victoria Ireland launched a crowdfunder for anti-racism posters that can be hung in people’s windows.
The GoFundMe has already raised over £1,000 on a target of £1,600.
Victoria stated: “After the St George’s cross was illegally painted all over Leytonstone, members of the community have come together to act against racism. We are raising money to produce posters that can be hung in windows to show support for our diverse community. Funds raised will be used to cover the cost of producing the posters.”
The Echo understands that Waltham Forest Council’s graffiti team have removed many of the crosses over the weekend, though not all.
The graffiti comes amid scenes of England flags going up around the country as part of “Operation Raise the Colours”. It has seen people paint red crosses on roundabouts and walls and is linked to rising hostility against asylum seekers and migrants.
Residents can report graffiti to the council’s removal team here
To report information about these incidents to the police, contact 101 and quote CAD 1881/13SEP25
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