Council staff 'threatened, harassed and intimidated' while taking down Union flags

Council staff have reported being threatened, harassed and intimidated while taking down Union flags.

Shropshire Council has reported an increase in abuse, harassment and intimidation directed at staff, as well as local councillors and staff in connection with the removal of unauthorised union flags from lampposts.

The local authority stated that workers and elected members have faced threats when explaining the council's stance on the flags, while attempting to take them down, and even during routine street lighting repairs.

A spokesman 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."

The council emphasised that it fully supports the Union Jack as a recognised national emblem and does not object to expressions of patriotism.

They added: "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, the authority made clear it cannot endorse flags or other items being attached to street lighting columns, highway infrastructure or public street furniture without permission.

The council cited health and safety risks, potential damage to equipment and the financial burden on residents as key reasons for its position.

The flag controversy has been building since last summer, when St George's and Union flags began appearing on street furniture across Shrewsbury as part of a wider England-wide movement.

The Raise the Flags Shrewsbury Plus group has organised much of the local effort, maintaining an ongoing fundraiser to support their activities.

A counter-movement called Lower the Flags has since emerged, with masked members posting videos of themselves removing flags across the town.

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When the council last cleared unauthorised flags following Storm Amy in October, the operation cost approximately £13,000.

The authority has recently increased council tax by nine per cent as part of efforts to balance its budget.

In April, the council had stated it would seek to recover removal costs from those responsible for putting up the flags.

One group that had hung flags in Shrewsbury subsequently offered to take them down at no charge to save the council money.

The authority announced plans to develop a funding bid for a "positive alternative" to the current situation, including a locally designed flag initiative that would involve young people, similar to a scheme recently adopted in Stourbridge.

The council has strongly encouraged anyone experiencing intimidation, harassment or abuse that constitutes a criminal offence to report incidents directly to police.

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