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Why have thousands of St George's and union jack flags gone up? Why have thousands of St George's and union jack flags gone up?
(2 days later)
Thousands of flags have been put up across the West Midlands region, including many on lampposts in Birmingham Thousands of flags have been put up across the country, including many on lamp-posts in Birmingham
St George's and union jack flags have been going up in cities, towns and villages in recent weeks - but why? A growing number of St George's and union jack flags have been going up in cities, towns and villages in recent weeks - but why?
While many people were flying the flag to cheer on the Lionesses during the 2025 Euros, thousands more have appeared during August - many attached to lampposts. Groups responsible for putting up the flags have told the BBC they are motivated by pride and patriotism. But others have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over the issue of immigration.
Groups responsible for putting up the flags have told the BBC they are motivated by pride and patriotism. But others have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over immigration. Here's a look at how the flag debate has unfolded so far.
The issue has also caused a headache for councils, with some authorities in the Midlands changing their stances within days over whether flags should be removed from street furniture or not.
At least one police force has launched an investigation into criminal damage after St George's crosses were painted on mini-roundabouts.
Here's a look at how the flag debate unfolded.
How did it all begin?How did it all begin?
St George's flags grew in number as the Lionesses' Euros campaign gathered pace in July.St George's flags grew in number as the Lionesses' Euros campaign gathered pace in July.
Weeks later, the suburbs of Weoley Castle and Northfield in Birmingham had a mixture of the St George Cross and union jacks hanging from every lamppost along several of their streets. A few miles away in the villages of Wythall and Hollywood, dozens more appeared almost overnight. Weeks later, the suburbs of Weoley Castle and Northfield in Birmingham had a mixture of the St George Cross and union jacks hanging from every lamp-post along several of their streets.
The sight of flags, uniformly flying in a row along residential streets and country lanes, was warmly welcomed by many people commenting on Facebook.The sight of flags, uniformly flying in a row along residential streets and country lanes, was warmly welcomed by many people commenting on Facebook.
A group calling themselves the Weoley Warriors claimed responsibility, saying they were a "group of proud English men with a common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements".A group calling themselves the Weoley Warriors claimed responsibility, saying they were a "group of proud English men with a common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements".
The fact both flags have been used as emblems for far-right political movements, however, meant some residents in Birmingham were uncomfortable with the motivations of some of those backing the Weoley Warriors' crusade. The fact both flags have been used as emblems for far-right political movements meant some Birmingham residents were uncomfortable with the motivations of some of those backing the Weoley Warriors' crusade.
The flags then started to appear on lamp-posts across the country.
Are the flags being taken down?Are the flags being taken down?
A row has broken out after Birmingham City Council said it was taking down hundreds of England and union jack flags from lampposts due to safety issues A row broke out after Birmingham City Council said it was taking down the flags from lamp-posts due to safety issues
There's been some confusion over this.There's been some confusion over this.
After seeing the flags going up rapidly across the city, Birmingham City Council issued a safety plea on 15 August to residents attaching them to lampposts and other street furniture, due to maintenance work being carried out. After seeing the flags going up rapidly across the city, Birmingham City Council issued a safety plea on 15 August to residents attaching them to lamp-posts and other street furniture, due to maintenance work being carried out.
A spokesperson said the authority was upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting and had so far removed about 200 banners and flags from the streets of the city since the start of the year.A spokesperson said the authority was upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting and had so far removed about 200 banners and flags from the streets of the city since the start of the year.
"People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk," they said. "People who attach unauthorised items to lamp-posts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk," they said.
However, a number of people took to social media questioning the council's reasoning for wanting to remove the flags.However, a number of people took to social media questioning the council's reasoning for wanting to remove the flags.
There have also been questions over why a small number of Palestinian flags flown from lampposts were not taken down as well. There have also been questions over why a small number of Palestinian flags flown from lamp-posts were not taken down as well.
On Wednesday, the city council confirmed it had not removed any England flags during August. The city council later confirmed it had not removed any England flags during August.
It said: "We proudly fly the union flag outside the council house every day and recognise the importance of the union flag and flag of St George as symbols of national pride. Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures.
"When it comes to items attached to lampposts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations."
Elsewhere, in Tower Hamlets, London, where flags were put up several days later, council workers were pictured taking some down, prompting fury in the community.Elsewhere, in Tower Hamlets, London, where flags were put up several days later, council workers were pictured taking some down, prompting fury in the community.
What has happened since?What has happened since?
Following the flying of hundreds of flags, red crosses appeared on at least six mini-roundabouts in Birmingham last weekend, with traffic islands being painted in a similar way in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, a couple of days later
The suggestion flags would be taken down made a lot of people angry.The suggestion flags would be taken down made a lot of people angry.
Rows of flags started appearing in other towns and villages overnight, including Bromsgrove and Worcester in Worcestershire, Bradford, Newcastle and Norwich.Rows of flags started appearing in other towns and villages overnight, including Bromsgrove and Worcester in Worcestershire, Bradford, Newcastle and Norwich.
The movement, fuelled by social media, has got a name - Operation Raise the Colours.The movement, fuelled by social media, has got a name - Operation Raise the Colours.
People have been pictured using cherry pickers and ladders to fly the flags as high as possible.People have been pictured using cherry pickers and ladders to fly the flags as high as possible.
More than £18,000 has been raised to support campaigns to put up union and cross of St George flags in and around Birmingham, while more than 4,000 people have also signed a petition calling for the local authority to stop removing the flags. Joseph Moulton, from York, is co-founder of the national campaign Flag Force UK, which encourages people to submit instances of the flags appearing. He said the drive was about getting the country to unify under one flag.
One man in Worcester, Tom Conway, told the BBC this week he had put up more than 400 flags himself. More than £20,000 has been raised to support one campaign to put up flags in and around Birmingham, while more than 4,000 people have also signed a petition calling for the local authority to stop removing the flags.
St George's crosses also appeared painted on roundabouts in Birmingham and Bromsgrove, with a video of one man daubing the road in full view of a police officer. One man in Worcester, Tom Conway, told the BBC he had put up more than 400 flags himself.
Some people living in Kings Heath, Birmingham, near one of the roundabouts said it was vandalism the cash-strapped council could not afford to fix - although many on Facebook applauded the mystery artist's efforts. Following the flying of hundreds of flags, red crosses started to appear on roundabouts in many parts of England
On Wednesday, West Mercia Police said it had started a criminal damage investigation over the painting of traffic islands while West Midlands Police confirmed it was looking into the issue. St George's crosses have also been painted on roundabouts in Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire, with a video of one man daubing the road in full view of a police officer.
West Mercia Police said it had started a criminal damage investigation over the painting of traffic islands, while West Midlands Police confirmed they were looking into the issue.
After a church wall was painted with the St George's Cross, Lincolnshire Police said they were investigating the graffiti as criminal damage.
Elsewhere, a man was arrested on suspicion of using racist language and committing criminal damage after St George's crosses were painted on homes in Essex.
What else have councils said?What else have councils said?
'We won't stop until all of Worcester has flags' In Worcestershire, Reform UK lead the county council. They said they would not be taking down any of the flags flying from lamp-posts or other street furniture.
In Worcestershire, Reform UK lead the county council. But councillor Karl Perks came out very strongly over the painted roundabouts, saying he could not condone "acts of vandalism, costing taxpayers money".
In a statement, they said they would not be taking down any of the flags flying from lampposts or other street furniture. Other councils have given mixed responses, including those run by the same party.
But councillor Karl Perks came out very strongly over the painted roundabouts. West Northamptonshire and north Northamptonshire councils, both Reform UK-led, urged residents to fly flags safely but not to tie them to lamp-posts or road signs.
"What I cannot condone are acts of vandalism, costing taxpayers money. This is exactly what the illegal painting of red crosses on local roundabouts will do," he said. The Reform-led county councils of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Kent said they would not be removing flags or, if they did, only if they posed a danger.
"This act of vandalism will cost our county council money to rectify. As the cabinet member for highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other taxpayer in the county does not pay for this." Elsewhere, Labour-led Derby City Council has asked people not to paint on roundabouts.
A video on social media appears to show at least one roundabout in Bromsgrove with its red cross being covered over with white paint. City of York Council, another Labour-run authority, said it would not take down Union and England flags but did raise safety concerns over them being added to lamp-posts "without appropriate approvals or equipment".
Richard Parker, Labour mayor for the West Midlands, whose focus includes Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley and Coventry in addition to Birmingham, said he supported patriotism, but people should act responsibly when showing it. Some flags were removed in the South West when they were deemed by a council to be unsafe.
He told BBC Radio WM: "I am very supportive of anyone who wants to display their patriotism and passion for this country, while also being clear that we need to do that safely. In Sussex, contractors called in to remove the flags reported getting "verbal abuse" and ended up leaving them in place.
"If we are going to see more of this....we need to work with our public authorities in the region to make sure it is done in a safe way."
Why are some people unhappy about the flags?Why are some people unhappy about the flags?
Flags have been flown along roads in Weoley Castle and other areas of BirminghamFlags have been flown along roads in Weoley Castle and other areas of Birmingham
While some people living in area where flags have appeared are happy to see the displays, others have said they find them intimidating. While some people living in areas where flags have appeared are happy to see the displays, others have said they find them intimidating.
Some have questioned the motive behind the movement, with the St George’s flag being associated with some on the far right. Some have questioned the motive behind the movement, with the St George's flag being associated with some on the far right.
A man who lives close to Woodthorpe Road, in Kings Heath, where a roundabout was vandalised, stated it was "not patriotic, it just feels like an excuse for xenophobia”. A man who lives in Kings Heath, Birmingham, where a roundabout was vandalised, 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," he said. A spokesperson from Bristol charity Stand Against Racism and Inequality said that while not every flag was put up "with the intent to divide", they "are making some minoritised people feel less safe".
Another woman living in Kings Heath said: "They make me feel very uncomfortable and do not represent me." Malcom Farrow is a vexillologist - someone one who studies flags. He said the reason some associate the flag with far right groups is because Britain has never been a nation that has flown flags often and so "nutter extremists" have been able to hijack them as their own symbols.
The reason why some associate the flag with far right groups, vexillologist (one who studies flags) Malcom Farrow said, is because Britain has never been a nation that has flown flags often and so "nutter extremists" have been able to hijack them as their own symbols. In York, Claire Platz has twice had Pride flags torn down from her shop, This Shop Is So Gay, and a Trans flag torn down once. She said if the current flags campaign was about unity, it would have the "same enthusiasm" for Pride flags.
Moseley resident and political activist Femi Olawale added those who have done the most damage to the reputation of the flag are those "who use it to justify movements that end up damaging the UK, that end up dividing us as a country". Essex County Council staff were told to speak out if they felt "unsettled" by St George's flags being put up, although a spokesperson later said the message in an email was "not approved".
Sabiha Aziz, a local campaigner from Acocks Green, said it was a "crying shame" that the "far right" had exploited the flags, so that they "symbolise hate and division".
Her views were supported by a number of people who spoke to the BBC.
What has the government said?What has the government said?
Labour frontbenchers have not waded into the debate in much volume.Labour frontbenchers have not waded into the debate in much volume.
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels. Asked about Sir Keir Starmer's views, his official spokesman said: "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.
"Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.""Patriotism will always be an important thing to him."
What is the law around flying flags?What is the law around flying flags?
Helpfully, the government has a guide on its website – a "plain English" guide to flying flags.Helpfully, the government has a guide on its website – a "plain English" guide to flying flags.
It states flags are a "very British way of expressing joy and pride" which are "emotive symbols which can boost local and national identities, strengthen community cohesion and mark civic pride".It states flags are a "very British way of expressing joy and pride" which are "emotive symbols which can boost local and national identities, strengthen community cohesion and mark civic pride".
It also states that the government "wants to see more flags flown, particularly the Union Flag, the flag of the United Kingdom - it is a symbol of national unity and pride". It also states the government "wants to see more flags flown, particularly the Union Flag, the flag of the United Kingdom - it is a symbol of national unity and pride".
In England, the flying of flags is treated as advertisements in council legislation to ensure they do not impact on safety and are flown in a convenient location. Some flags require formal consent from the local planning authority, but crucially, the union jack and the St George's cross do not. In England, council legislation treats the flying of flags as an advertisement. This is to ensure they do not impact on safety and are flown in a convenient location.
But this is the key thing in the current climate – it states all flags must "have the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed - this includes the highway authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land". Some flags require formal consent from the local planning authority but, crucially, the union jack and the St George's flag do not.
A key aspect to the current debate is also covered in the government's guide. It says all flags must "have the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed - this includes the highway authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land".
The Highways Act 1980 states it is an offence to affix items to structures on the highway without the consent of the highway authority, without reasonable excuse.The Highways Act 1980 states it is an offence to affix items to structures on the highway without the consent of the highway authority, without reasonable excuse.
Under section 132(2) of the act, it states the highway authority can remove any such items. Section 132(2) of the act states the highway authority can remove any such items.
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St George flags have appeared on streets in Birmingham and Barnt Green