Council seeks to ban 'intimidating' England flags from lampposts

Council seeks to ban 'intimidating' England flags from lampposts Oxfordshire County Council has applied for a High Court injunction in a bid to prevent the Raise the Colours group from placing flags on lampposts across the county A local authority is seeking to ban the widespread hanging of flags on lampposts across its county, saying it has "caused fear and division" within the community. Oxfordshire County Council has applied to the High Court for an injunction to end a flag-hanging campaign by members of the Raise The Colours group, who have hung Union Jack and St George's Cross flags next to roads across the county over the past year. It comes after the Liberal Democrat-led council issued a formal legal notice to the group in March ordering it to stop its activities, with further pre-action letters sent to named individuals in May. Residents have submitted more than 200 complaints to the council about the flags. Council leader Tim Bearder said the application for an injunction was "about protecting our residents, our workforce and the values we stand for as a county". "This activity is not about national pride or unity," he said. "It is unlawful behaviour, which has caused fear and division within our communities." The council said the application follows "months of sustained activity involving the placement of flags on or near the public highway without permission", which has "created safety risks" and "caused distress within communities". The activity has proven fatal. In November last year, a man suffered fatal head injuries after falling from a ladder while attempting to tie a Union flag to a lamppost in Bedminster, Bristol. Paul Lumber, 61, had been drinking after watching a football match before going to attach the flags, an inquest at Avon Coroner's Court heard. The council added that its employees, along with contractors and residents, have been subjected to "abuse and intimidation" when removing the flags, which has cost the council over £16,000. The High Court has issued proceedings and a hearing is due to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, June 23. If granted, the civil injunction will prohibit further unauthorised installations on or near the highway and allow the council to take enforcement action if the order is breached. Mr Bearder said: "We are proud of Oxfordshire’s diverse communities and of our Council of Sanctuary status. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display flags on their own private property. "However, there’s an important distinction between lawful expression and activity that puts people at risk or intimidates residents in their own communities."