Manhunt for ‘vandal’ who raided Labour MP Stella Creasy’s office and distributed ‘malicious’ leaflets

Police are searching for a vandal who raided a Labour MP’s constituency office and distributed “malicious leaflets”.

Police have released surveillance camera video showing the man who broke into Stella Creasy’s office in Walthampstow, north-east London, early on Sunday morning.

The vandal can be seen in the picture dressed all in black, with his hood up and holding a large poster with green writing in his hand.

Offensive graffiti was seen on a street near the MP’s office, calling the Labour Party a “child bombing liar” and accusing it of “genocide”.

Ms Creasy has warned perpetrators of an “anti-democratic attack” which saw her office vandalised and “malicious and false leaflets” circulated over the weekend.

The 47-year-old politician published pictures of broken windows and doors with numerous holes in her office.

Ms Creasy, who has been MP for the constituency since 2010 and is currently fighting to retain her seat on July 4, also said “malicious and false” leaflets had been distributed since the attack on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, she wrote on social media: “Message to whoever attacked my office last night.”

“They do not intimidate me and have no place in the political process. Just like those who distribute malicious and false leaflets.”

“The police are already looking for you. They will push for the harshest punishments for such an undemocratic attack and I know that Walthamstow will not be intimidated or influenced by your violence.”

A Labour spokesman added: “We strongly condemn any intimidation tactics against candidates from any party.”

“It is crucial for our democracy that parliamentary candidates can campaign freely.”

The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the incident. According to police, the attack was not recorded as a hate crime.

Detective Superintendent Dion Brown, one of the senior officers responsible for policing in the area, said: “It is completely unacceptable that the office of one of London’s prospective parliamentary candidates would be targeted in this way.”

“Urgent enquiries are ongoing. Officers are on site and are already pursuing active lines of enquiry, which will include a full analysis of all available CCTV footage.”

“The incident is believed to have occurred between 3:10am and 3:30am on Sunday 23 June. I urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact police and share their knowledge.”

“Anyone who witnessed the damage or has any other information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference number 2621/23jun.”

“Information can also be sent 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.”

Ms Creasy previously served as a frontbencher in Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet and was a vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, claiming the party was “high and dry” with him at the helm.

In 2013, Ms Creasy supported feminist writer Caroline Criado Perez in her campaign for the Bank of England to print a woman on the £10 note and subsequently received numerous rape threats and other misogynistic messages on her Twitter timeline.

She had to undergo a social services investigation last year after an online troll thought he was entitled to express the view that her children should be placed in care.

The politician was informed by the police that no criminal action would be taken against her tormentor, who had bombarded her office with emails because he did not share her political views.

Leicestershire Police said the offender had a legitimate right to a referral to social services because he disagreed with Creasy’s views on misogyny, even though he lacked evidence against the MP.

Ms Creasy’s pseudonym was “Lance Jones” and had no personal connection to the politician or her children.

She told the Times that the police response had given other trolls a “green light” to attack the families of public figures simply because they don’t like them.