They’ve been popping up all over the place - but who is behind this latest colourful invasion?

NORTH-WEST London is under attack – a mystery invasion has begun.

The appearance of urban foxes has become commonplace in recent years but the expansion of the vulpine creatures has reached epidemic proportions recently with regular sightings in St John’s Wood, West Hampstead, Camden Town, and Maida Vale to name a few.

But there is one big difference between these sightings and those of the regular urban fox – these come in the form of a graffiti stencil.

Appearing in white, black, pink, or the rarely seen red, these foxes have been spotted throughout north-west London on walls, phone boxes, shops and even on speed cameras.

From Abbey Road in St John’s Wood, to West End Lane in West Hampstead and Parkway in Camden Town, Mr Fox has been busy getting around in recent weeks and months. Rumour has it he has even made it as far afield as Notting Hill.

And it seems no one is safe with national companies including Odeon cinemas and Tesco receiving the foxy treatment.

Soloman Supermarket on Elgin Avenue is the latest location to experience the invasion after the shop’s owner noticed the bright pink logo on the corner of his fruit and vegetable stall last week.

Despite not cleaning the stencil off, he says he was less than impressed with its appearance on his stall.

“I noticed it in the morning when opening up the shop,” he said. “I am quite annoyed and wish they could find out who is doing it.”

But other north-west London residents have lent their support to the image of a jaunty fox strolling along the streets.

West Hampstead resident Jennie Vincent said: “I don’t think they are offensive or damaging. I think they are quite sweet. Whenever I see them I like them because they make me smile.

“We had someone graffiti on our window by scratching the glass and that’s just criminal damage but I don’t think this is like that at all. This is just a nice take on urban foxes.

“I especially liked the one on Tesco – it definitely improved the shop front.”

Maida Vale resident William Smith added: “I reckon the fox marks the police chalk line where the urban fox was murdered.

“It’s wonderful to see that fox hunting is still going strong in Maida Vale.”

The images have even received the seal of approval from artist and creator of the Subway Gallery, situated under Edgware Road, Robert Gordon McHarg.

He said: “I think there’s always room for all sorts of artists and this seems like an interesting idea. There was a time when you only expected to see foxes in the countryside but you see them a lot in the city now.”

There is, however, one big mystery to be solved. Who is behind this urban graffiti fox invasion? No one seems to know, but one thing seems certain – he could pop up in any place at any time.