'Staff and members are being threatened': Shropshire flags row continues with council update

Staff and councillors have been “threatened” over the ongoing county flags row, according to Shropshire Council.

Organised efforts to fly flags off street lighting in and around Shrewsbury have become an increasingly fractious subject in recent months.

The first mass appearance of St George’s and Union flags in Shropshire’s county town came last year amid a England-wide movement to add the national symbols to street furniture across the country.

Flags across Shrewsbury have largely been organised by the Raise the Flags Shrewsbury Plus group, which has an ongoing fundraiser to support the efforts.

The initiative has frequently been criticised by opponents, who say the endeavours are based firmly around anti-immigration sentiments.

Organisers of the Shropshire group deny the criticism, but are clear the efforts are rooted in politics, saying: “Our stance is not about division, but about change.

“We believe this country deserves better, and that starts with fresh ideas, accountability, and new leadership.

“We are calling for real change in the system, including the opportunity for new parties to step forward and represent the people properly.”

In recent months an organised effort to remove the flags, called ‘Lower the Flags’, has sprung up, describing itself as a movement to “unite compassionate Shrewsbury residents who oppose the illegal and divisive installation of Union Jack and St George's flags across our town as a mechanism for promoting anti-immigration beliefs.”

The group has posted videos of its masked members pulling flags down across Shrewsbury.

Last month Shropshire Council said it would be removing “unauthorised flags”, and that it would be charging those responsible for the costs.

Now it has issued a fresh update saying its members have been threatened over the ongoing issue - and has urged people to report incidents to the police.

A spokesman for the council said: “Unfortunately, directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, we are also seeing a rise in reports of abuse, harassment and intimidation directly at our residents, staff, and at individual local councillors.

“Staff and members are being threatened for explaining the council’s position, when they attempt to remove any unauthorized flags, and now even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting.

“In the case of Intimation, harassment or abuse where a criminal offence is being committed, we have in these instances, strongly encouraged reporting directly to the police so they can be properly recorded and assessed.”

In its statement the council outlined its position over the issue saying it is not opposed to the display of flags, but that it does not support then being added to street lighting.

It said: “Across our communities we recognise there are a range of views about the flags; as a council we respect these different views.

“Our aim as a council is to balance these different views while keeping our residents and public spaces safe, respectful and compliant with policy.

“We therefore have made our position on flags clear: We support the Union Flag. The Union Flag is a recognised national emblem and, when displayed in an appropriate and dignified manner, is widely respected.

“It is acknowledged as representing the shared history, values, and constitutional identity of the United Kingdom and 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.

“We do not however, support the unauthorised attachment of flags or any other objects to street lighting columns, highway infrastructure or other public street furniture due to health and safety issues, damage and costs 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.”