Police have shared an image of a person they wish to speak to following a string of homophobic hate crimes in Forest Gate. 

The image, shared today (June 28), shows a hooded and masked figure apparently standing over a transgender flag with a paint roller in hand. 

It comes after all three of the Pride, progress, and transgender flags outside Forest Gate station were vandalised this week. 

The image taken from a nearby camera shows a figure standing over the flag with a paint roller in handThe image taken from a nearby camera shows a figure standing over the flag with a paint roller in hand (Image: Metropolitan Police) Officers were called to Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, on June 23 after a member of the public noticed the Pride flag had been defaced. 

Another report made on June 26 alerted police to criminal damage done to the two remaining flags. 

All three flags have been covered with red paint.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are treating the incidents as homophobic hate crimes, with London Pride set to start tomorrow (June 29). 

There have been no arrests made so far, but Scotland Yard says investigations point to the probability that each act of vandalism was committed by the same person. 

All three flags have been painted overAll three flags have been painted over (Image: Forest Gayte Pride) Det Insp James Rush said: "While the person’s face is covered, we hope that someone who lives or works in the area may recognise the individual from their distinctive clothing.

"If you think you may recognise the person shown in the image – maybe they are a customer at your shop, or live nearby – I would urge you to contact my team.

READ MORE: 'You can paint out our flags, not our pride' - Pride group responds to vandalism

“I understand providing information to police can be intimidating, but I can reassure the public that any information provided will be handled sensitively."

The image was taken from CCTV footage from June 26. 

Anyone with information should contact the police by calling 101, or visiting www.met.police.uk, quoting reference 2433/23Jun.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.