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Birmingham roundabouts vandalised to look like St George's flags Birmingham roundabouts graffitied to look like St George's flags
(about 2 hours later)
One roundabout affected was at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road A red cross has appeared on a roundabout at the junction of Brandwood Road and Woodthorpe Road
At least six mini-roundabouts in Birmingham have been graffitied to look like St George's flags. At least six mini-roundabouts in Birmingham have been graffitied with red crosses 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. Roundabouts in the Kings Heath and Yardley Wood areas were painted overnight at the weekend, while a video on social media purportedly showed a man daubing others several miles away in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
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. It comes as hundreds of St George's and union jack flags flown from lampposts by residents started to be taken down by Birmingham City Council last week, which the authority said was due to safety concerns.
The BBC has contacted Birmingham City Council for comment. Some residents described the painted traffic islands as "vandalism" but others have applauded the emergence of England flags in suburbs across the city.
Some residents living nearby have told the BBC they were deeply unhappy, but others said they were enjoying seeing the flags appearing. West Midlands Police said it had not received a complaint but said it would investigate criminal damage if a report was made by the local authority or a member of the public.
Speaking about the roundabouts, a woman who lives near Woodthorpe Road in Kings Heath said: "This is sheer, wanton vandalism.
'Wanton vandalism'
One woman, who lives near a painted roundabout in Woodthorpe Road, Kings Heath, described it as "sheer, wanton vandalism".
"The council doesn't have the money to fix the potholes, let alone repaint mini islands.""The council doesn't have the money to fix the potholes, let alone repaint mini islands."
A man also living close to Woodthorpe Road said it was "not patriotic, it just feels like an excuse for xenophobia. A man living close to the same roundabout said 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," he said.
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."
A roundabout between Haunch Lane and Warstock Lane was among those damagedA 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 local residents said they were doing so 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 local residents said they were doing in an act of patriotism. But the city council had them taken down and 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 because of this 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. Flags have emerged in other areas, including Hollywood, Wythall and Barnt Green on the Worcestershire border.
'Flags represent us'
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 BirminghamFlags 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.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 upSome 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.