'Triads' smash up Chinese restaurants

Suspected Triad gangsters today smashed up three Chinese restaurants, throwing paint over walls and shattering windows in what police said is a continuing feud.

The restaurants - all part of the Royal China chain in Baker Street, Queensway and Queen's Grove - had their windows broken and walls covered in orange, blue, yellow and green paint in the attacks which are believed to be part of a dispute within the Chinese community.

A month ago all three restaurants, among the best in London and owned by the same businessman, were subjected to similar attacks. Police believe four youths were responsible and were seen fleeing in a silver car.

In the past such attacks have often been over protection money demanded by Triad gangs. Thugs hired by gang leaders will warn other members of the Chinese community they owe money by attacking businesses, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Scotland Yard sources today said the attacks, which happened at about 4am, are part of an unresolved row. The premises were closed at the time and no one was injured.

An officer said: "There has been trouble here in recent months and it is highly likely there is an organised crime link. It could well be the restaurant was refusing to pay money."

The manager of the Baker Street restaurant, opposite the headquarters of Marks and Spencer, said he had no idea why the premises had been vandalised. Empty paint cans were strewn on the ground and staff were this morning cleaning the paint off in an effort to open for business.

Police intelligence suggests unrest within the Chinese community. At the beginning of April, Scotland Yard seized six handguns and more than a dozen machetes in armed raids on premises in Chinatown with suspected links to Triads.

The raids were believed to be connected to a fight between rival groups armed with baseball bats in a nearby bar a week earlier. Officers say firearms are a worrying new trend since gangs normally use machetes.

The influence of the Triads is hard to judge. There are more than 500 members in Britain and one estimate suggests that 75 per cent of Chinese-run businesses in Soho hand over protection payments - so called "tea money" - to the groups.

Police have identified four main societies operating in Britain: the 14K, Wo Shing Wo, Wo On Lok and San Yee On.

Triad crime is largely confined to extortion, protection rackets, illegal gambling, prostitution and people smuggling.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service and Scotland Yard monitor the activities of the main Triad societies, with the Met operating a specialist Chinatown unit at Charing Cross.