Council workers 'threatened' when removing flags

A council says there has been a rise in abuse, harassment and intimidation towards residents, staff and councillors "directly linked" to the removal of unauthorised union flags.

In April, Shropshire Council announced their staff would be removing the flags which have been put up on lamp-posts or street furniture without permission, because of safety concerns.

On Sunday, the authority said its workers and members were threatened for explaining the council's position towards unauthorised flags, while attempting to remove them or while doing day-to-day work to repair street lights.

The council encouraged people to report harassment where a criminal offence was taking place.

"The union flag is a recognised national emblem and, when displayed in an appropriate and dignified manner, is widely respected," a spokesperson said.

"We absolutely do not prohibit or otherwise object to the expression of patriotism, including the display of national flags.

"This is not a hate crime and we have never suggested that it is."

However, they added that they did not support the unauthorised attachment of flags or any other objects to street light columns, highway infrastructure or other public street furniture.

This was because of health and safety issues, potential damage and the cost to residents.

"Removing flags is not normal council business, it is not a statutory service and therefore it comes at an additional cost to the council and its residents," they added.

In its April announcement, the council said it would look to recover costs from those who put the flags up.

The authority said last time they removed them, it had cost about £13,000 after Storm Amy in October.

Following this, a group that hung England and British flags from lampposts in Shrewsbury offered to take them down for free, to save the council money.

It comes at a time when the council is currently attempting to cut its expenditure, and recently increased council tax by 9% to help balance its budget.

St George's flags and union flags have been appearing across England since last summer.

Although groups responsible have described the displays as acts of pride and patriotism, others have said they are provocative at a time when national tensions around immigration are running high.

In April, Shropshire Council said storms had left many flags torn, loose or insecure.

Those posing immediate risks were already removed, but a full removal programme would begin in Shrewsbury before being expanded county-wide, they said at the time.

The spokesperson said the authority was set to develop a funding bid to create a "positive alternative", including a locally designed flag initiative involving young people, a similar scheme to the one adopted in Stourbridge, last month.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.