Shropshire council said residents, staff and councillors have faced rising abuse, harassment and intimidation linked to the removal of unauthorised flags. The council said staff and members have been threatened while explaining why flags are being taken down, including during routine work such as repairing street lighting. [1]
The council said it does not support the unauthorised attachment of flags or other objects to street lighting columns, highway infrastructure or other public street furniture because of health and safety risks, damage and costs. A council spokesperson said: "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." [1]
Shropshire council previously said it would remove the flags because of safety concerns and seek the costs of removal from the people who erected them. It also said the cost of removing unauthorised flags after Storm Amy was £13,000 in October. [1]
The dispute has split opinion. Groups involved say the flags are symbols of pride and patriotism, while some charities and MPs say the campaign is an act of intimidation and raises tensions between communities. On Sunday, a council spokesperson said removing flags is not normal council business and asked those who are abused to report it to police. [1]
The council said it would continue to deal with the issue as a safety matter and not as a routine service. It also noted that removing flags is not a statutory service and adds extra cost to the authority and residents. [1]
