This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cde3xy11ggro
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Birmingham roundabouts vandalised to look like St George's flags | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One roundabout affected was at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road | One roundabout affected was at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road |
| At least six mini-roundabouts in Birmingham have been vandalised to look like St George's flags. | |
| The damaged roundabouts in the Kings Heath and Yardley Wood areas include one at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road; one at Yardley Wood Road and also at Haunch Lane. | The damaged roundabouts in the Kings Heath and Yardley Wood areas include one at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road; one at Yardley Wood Road and also at Haunch Lane. |
| West Midlands Police said it had not received any reports about them, but a complaint of criminal damage made by the local authority or a member of the public would be investigated. | West Midlands Police said it had not received any reports about them, but a complaint of criminal damage made by the local authority or a member of the public would be investigated. |
| The BBC has contacted Birmingham City Council for comment. | The BBC has contacted Birmingham City Council for comment. |
| Speaking about the roundabouts, a woman who lives near Woodthorpe Road in Kings Heath said: "This is sheer, wanton vandalism." | Speaking about the roundabouts, a woman who lives near Woodthorpe Road in Kings Heath said: "This is sheer, wanton vandalism." |
| "The council doesn't have the money to fix the potholes, let alone repaint mini islands," she added. | "The council doesn't have the money to fix the potholes, let alone repaint mini islands," she added. |
| A man also living close to Woodthorpe Road stated it was " not patriotic, it just feels like an excuse for xenophobia. | A man also living close to Woodthorpe Road stated it was " not patriotic, it just feels like an excuse for xenophobia. |
| "There are better ways to show pride - ways that are inclusive and respectful, not resorting to vandalism." | "There are better ways to show pride - ways that are inclusive and respectful, not resorting to vandalism." |
| Another woman living in Kings Heath said: "They make me feel very uncomfortable and do not represent me. | Another woman living in Kings Heath said: "They make me feel very uncomfortable and do not represent me. |
| "I've been considering painting over the one I go past every day." | "I've been considering painting over the one I go past every day." |
| A roundabout between Haunch Lane and Warstock Lane was among those damaged | A roundabout between Haunch Lane and Warstock Lane was among those damaged |
| St George's and union flags being flown across parts of Birmingham were being taken down, which the authority said last week was to allow for maintenance works. | |
| In recent weeks, the Union Jack and St George's Cross have been hung in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of the city, which locals said they were doing in an act of patriotism. | In recent weeks, the Union Jack and St George's Cross have been hung in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of the city, which locals said they were doing in an act of patriotism. |
| But the city council issued a safety plea to residents thinking of attaching the flags to lampposts and other street furniture. | But the city council issued a safety plea to residents thinking of attaching the flags to lampposts and other street furniture. |
| It said it was upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting and had so far removed about 200 banners and flags. | It said it was upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting and had so far removed about 200 banners and flags. |
| Some people in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of Birmingham told BBC Radio WM they supported the flags being flown. | Some people in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of Birmingham told BBC Radio WM they supported the flags being flown. |
| One woman said: "It's patriotic, so I think it's lovely. It represents us doesn't it, Great Britain?" | One woman said: "It's patriotic, so I think it's lovely. It represents us doesn't it, Great Britain?" |
| Another woman said: "I think they're great, [they] put a smile on people's faces. | Another woman said: "I think they're great, [they] put a smile on people's faces. |
| "They're not doing any harm just flying in the wind, representing England, which is where we are, obviously." | "They're not doing any harm just flying in the wind, representing England, which is where we are, obviously." |
| Flags have been seen in the Weoley Castle area of Birmingham | Flags have been seen in the Weoley Castle area of Birmingham |
| Another woman said it would "nice to see all different flags up" to show how multicultural the city was. | Another woman said it would "nice to see all different flags up" to show how multicultural the city was. |
| While a man told the BBC if the sentiment behind it was "anti-immigration", he was "totally against" the flags being put up. | |
| "That's not a very nice thing to do," he said. | "That's not a very nice thing to do," he said. |
| Some people in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of Birmingham told the BBC they supported flags being put up | Some people in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of Birmingham told the BBC they supported flags being put up |
| Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. | Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. |