Seven statues in Parliament Square, including one of women’s rights campaigner Dame Millicent Fawcett, were vandalised during a protest on Saturday, 19 April.
The protest, held by transgender campaigners, was in response to a Supreme Court ruling made on Wednesday which stated that biological sex defines a woman under the Equality Act.
The ruling means that, according to the head of Britain’s equalities watchdog, trans women can be excluded from female-only toilets, changing rooms, and women’s sports.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that seven statues were damaged and are investigating the incidents as criminal damage. No arrests have been made so far.
One of the defaced statues was of former South African prime minister Jan Smuts, which was graffitied with the words “trans rights are human rights”.
The Supreme Court ruling stated that transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if “proportionate”. Judges unanimously ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex” rather than “certificated sex”.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who led the policing operation for the protest, said:
“Criminal damage and vandalism like this has no place on the streets of London and spoils the area for locals and those visiting.
“While the police support the public’s right to protest, criminality like this is senseless and unacceptable. We are pursuing this and will take action against those responsible.
“Working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) plans are underway to remove the graffiti but this requires specialist equipment and we are confident this will be done shortly.
“We are keen to speak to those who saw anything on the day and urge anyone with information, pictures or footage to come forward. Please call 101, quoting 01/7396927/25.”
The Met Police are also dealing with a number of complaints from the public about signs and images that were reportedly displayed at the protest and shared on social media.
Officers said that the signs in question appear to be from historic events, did not take place in London, or do not constitute a criminal offence. However, all available footage of the protest is being reviewed and action will be taken if any signs are found to breach the law.
A post about the ruling has been shared in the Harrow Online Group on Facebook, sparking debate among members over the subject.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101, quoting the reference 01/7396927/25.
Never miss another news story, subscribe to Harrow Online for FREE!