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Union jack flags removed on Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border Union jack flags removed on Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border
(about 13 hours later)
Flags previously hung from lampposts along the A1198 have now been removed by council workersFlags previously hung from lampposts along the A1198 have now been removed by council workers
More than 100 union jacks and St George's flags hung from lampposts have been taken down by council workers.More than 100 union jacks and St George's flags hung from lampposts have been taken down by council workers.
The flags were removed from a stretch of the A1198 road near the village of Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, close to the Hertfordshire town of Royston, on Wednesday night. The flags were removed from a stretch of the A1198 near the village of Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, close to the Hertfordshire town of Royston, on Wednesday night.
Posting on Facebook, tree surgeon Billy Crotty, who had single-handedly hung about 300 flags along the road, described their removal as "an almost Gestapo-like operation".Posting on Facebook, tree surgeon Billy Crotty, who had single-handedly hung about 300 flags along the road, described their removal as "an almost Gestapo-like operation".
Cambridgeshire County Council told the BBC its workers had removed the flags.Cambridgeshire County Council told the BBC its workers had removed the flags.
Billy Crotty spent almost two weeks hanging flags along the A1198 and the villages that line the roadBilly Crotty spent almost two weeks hanging flags along the A1198 and the villages that line the road
"So in an almost Gestapo-like operation last night... the majority of our flags were taken down and despite my pleas they refused to give them back," Mr Crotty said on Facebook."So in an almost Gestapo-like operation last night... the majority of our flags were taken down and despite my pleas they refused to give them back," Mr Crotty said on Facebook.
In an accompanying video, he accuses workers of removing the flags and asks for them to be returned. In an accompanying video, he accused workers of removing the flags and asked for them to be returned.
He had initially paid for the flags out of his own pocket, but £1,000 was later donated to help him buy more. Mr Crotty previously said that while the flags were partly a protest against "illegal immigration", he did not want to "intimidate anyone".
Mr Crotty previously said he "wanted to make a stand for our country" and was "proud to English". Some local residents have told the BBC they supported the flags, while others said they were concerned by them.
He admitted that while they were partly a protest against "illegal immigration", he did not want to "intimidate anyone". Bassingbourn restaurateur Akbar Hussain spoke of being "a bit panicked" by the flags.
The flags have been removed from this roundabout north of Kneesworth, where the A1198 meets the B1042The flags have been removed from this roundabout north of Kneesworth, where the A1198 meets the B1042
A spokesperson for the council said its workers followed "a standard process when things are placed on our highways".A spokesperson for the council said its workers followed "a standard process when things are placed on our highways".
"They are considered as damage or could be a safety issue so will be removed," they added."They are considered as damage or could be a safety issue so will be removed," they added.
"We'll continue to monitor the situation along with our partners.""We'll continue to monitor the situation along with our partners."
Mr Crotty has also placed flags nearby on the A10 and A505 — roads managed by Hertfordshire County Council.Mr Crotty has also placed flags nearby on the A10 and A505 — roads managed by Hertfordshire County Council.
These have not been removed and remain in place.These have not been removed and remain in place.
Cambridgeshire County Council confirmed it had removed some of Mr Crotty's flagsCambridgeshire County Council confirmed it had removed some of Mr Crotty's flags
Flags have been placed across towns and cities in the UK since mid-July in what started as a response to a schoolgirl being barred from talking about her British roots.Flags have been placed across towns and cities in the UK since mid-July in what started as a response to a schoolgirl being barred from talking about her British roots.
It has since become associated with protests against the housing of asylum seekers in hotels.It has since become associated with protests against the housing of asylum seekers in hotels.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Sunday the flag represented "our diverse country" and he would not allow people to feel "intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin".Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Sunday the flag represented "our diverse country" and he would not allow people to feel "intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin".
Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.