Council to take down St George's flags from lampposts amid 'fears over safety'

Oliver Partridge
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:54:52 +0000

Shropshire Council has announced plans to take down unauthorised Union Jacks and St George's flags attached to lampposts and street furniture across the county amid fears over safety.

The local authority said that although it recognises the Union Jack as a national emblem and does not ban patriotic displays, but warned erecting flags on public highways without approval could constitute a criminal offence.

Storm damage has left numerous flags torn, loose or dangerously insecure, according to the council, and immediate hazards have already been addressed, with a comprehensive removal operation set to commence in Shrewsbury before extending throughout the county.

The financial burden has been substantial, with post-Storm Amy clearance work alone costing approximately £13,000, as the council intends to pursue those who installed the flags to recoup expenses.

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The mayor of Church Stretton, Andy Munro, has alleged that several women were threatened by men who were attaching Union Jacks to lampposts in the town.

Mr Munro reported receiving multiple concerning calls from residents who had approached individuals using a cherry picker to hoist the flags.

"Most particularly, we received phone calls from a number of women who had gone out to see what the commotion was, and they were threatened and abused by the people putting up the flags," he said.

"We can have the debate about the rights and wrongs of the flags, but I don't think anybody will agree that it's right under any circumstances for women alone at night to be threatened."

On the day the flags appeared, nearly 40 residents reached out to the mayor expressing their concerns about the incident.

John Cunningham, who installed the flags, has rejected the allegations of threatening behaviour.

A local group called Raise the Flags Shrewsbury Plus confirmed they were responsible for putting up the flags, stating they had received a donation specifically for the Church Stretton area.

"We had a donation for Church Stretton, like we do everywhere else, and we try to get out as quick as possible," Mr Cunningham said.

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He described an encounter during the installation: "The second flag as we put it up, on an eight-to-nine-foot lamp-post, this woman came out to confront us."

Mr Munro has also criticised the manner in which the flags were displayed, describing the use of cable ties and string to attach "cheap, flimsy" union jacks as disrespectful.

Church Stretton is traditionally known as the town of flags due to its year-round displays.

The proliferation of national flags on lampposts began last summer, with the movement gaining momentum during the Lionesses' Euros campaign in July 2025.

Groups organising the displays have cited national pride, though social media activity has revealed motivations linked to concerns about illegal immigration.

West Mercia Police confirmed that two individuals raised concerns about an incident on February 19, when flags were erected in Church Stretton, but determined no criminal offences had occurred.

The council acknowledged awareness of community tensions, including reports of abuse directed at residents, staff and councillors, and confirmed it was liaising with police.

Looking ahead, Shropshire Council plans to develop a funding proposal for a locally-designed flag initiative involving young people, similar to a scheme recently launched in Stourbridge.