WHEN a bunch of properties were mysteriously doused in blood red paint in the dead of night with no obvious motive or suspects, locals were understandably shaken.
In some cases the word ‘brothel' and a series of puzzling numbers were also scrawled on the homes – leaving residents grappling with several frightening possibilities.
Were they caught in the crossfire of violent gangs, or being deliberately targeted?
According to concerned Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy, there had been three bizarre attacks in as many weeks – and they're far from the first incidents to occur in the UK.
Similar ones have also been reported in other parts of London, , , , and .
The first report of the red paint attacks came from Huddersfield in 2023, when the words “brothel 3” were painted on a property.
A similar incident later that year involved a house in West Hampstead, , while in Liverpool three properties were targeted with red paint in February.
Speaking to Flying Eze, former officer Peter Bleksley says: “It must be terrifying, baffling, expensive and deeply worrying to be a victim of one of these attacks.
“The big question for me would be are these attacks random acts of criminal damage or are they targeted?
“If they are the latter, then they are sending out a clear message; We can find you, we could come back, and it could be a lot worse next time… If they are random, then it is mindless thuggery.”;
‘Bogus' brothel claims
Despite the literal writing on the wall labelling the targeted properties as brothels, the Met commented late last month: “At this stage, there is no firm evidence to suggest the running of a brothel at any of the addresses identified.”
And locals aren't convinced by the claims, either.
Commenting on Creasy’s post, one user wrote: “The properties are most definitely not brothels… The restaurant belongs to my family. It is a family run Indian restaurant and takeaway that has been in Walthamstow 50+ years.”
Another added: “Literally happening round the corner from my house, seen three or four different houses covered in red paint in the past month, saw an ordinary young couple trying to clean the paint from their house the other day – these aren't brothels.”
Cryptic clues
No motive has yet been established and clues being monitored to establish connections or themes include the paint colour, which has sometimes been black or blue, and the spelling of the words used.
In November last year police ruled out a link between two vandalism attacks on apartment blocks in Bradford city centre.
In both cases red paint was thrown and the words ‘brothel' – or misspelt ‘borthel' – and some numbers were scrawled on walls and windows in black spray paint.
Speaking to the BBC, flat owner Andrew Mitchell said: “We don't really know what these people are getting at.
“Whether they're claiming there's a brothel in the place – or a ‘borthel', as they're calling it.
“We've looked into this and had the police go in there and they claim that they've not found anything.
“It's a strange one, isn't it? ‘Borthel' – brothel spelt wrongly, and you look at the lettering in both incidents and it's very similar writing.
“Not linked? There's got to be something there, hasn't there?”
A series of numbers have also been painted on the targeted properties, adding to the mystery.
A ‘warning sign'
One theory is the spate of incidents could be part of a bigger turf war, potentially among Chinese organised crime gangs, with CCTV of one attack in Acton, West London, revealing the suspects speaking Mandarin, according to The Times.
AUN refugee agency reportfrom 2023 claimed splashing red paint on doors was linked to loan sharks associated with criminal gangs who use the tactic to intimidate debtors when they do not pay.
Speaking to Flying Eze, Dr Oliver Chan, an associate professor of criminology at the University of , says: “This trend of red splashing incidents in London and other parts of the UK is perpetrated by Chinese gangs often operating in an organised criminal network.
“[This] can serve two primary purposes – to intimidate rival gangs who seem to operate in their territory or turf, and to threaten debtors who are unable to pay up.
“It is common in the Chinese societies, especially in the southern parts of China and neighbouring countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The intention? Dr Chan says: “To serve as a warning to their debtors, and if they still don't pay up, further escalated actions can be taken... [It’s] a warning sign... to show ‘power and control'.
“The use of red paint, instead of other colour paints, is to add to the striking effect of the words written on the walls, and traditionally the use of red symbolises anger and impulsion.
“It is used to threaten or intimidate someone.”
‘I'm at a loss'
Whatever the motive, it's a series of attacks that has left residents shaken.
Speaking to the local paper, the Waltham Forest Echo, one resident recalled hearing a noise while feeding her daughter at 5am.
Her husband went outside to find out what was going on – and discovered that their home, which the couple had bought only a few months earlier, was covered in red paint.
She told the paper: “When I saw [the paint], I just cried.
“I’m at a loss. People on this street are really upset. My neighbour’s child thought the red paint was blood.”
Evidence seized & work ongoing
Meanwhile, police are still continuing to investigate the spate of incidents, working to establish motive and if there’s any connection between the country-wide attacks.
Speaking to Flying Eze, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police revealed they were still appealing for information and ensuring all investigative leads were explored.
They added: “We are aware of a number of incidents whereby addresses in the borough of Waltham Forest have been criminally damaged with red paint in recent weeks.
“These incidents are being investigated by the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team to ensure all investigative leads are explored and support is provided to the victims of these incidents.
“Evidence, including anything flagged with a potential forensic value, has been seized and work is ongoing to identify whoever is responsible.
“At this stage there has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances continue, including to establish if there is a link to other incidents in London, including in Acton and Ealing, and areas outside London.”
