Council WON'T send flags back to original owners after tearing them down across city

The council explained that it has "considered and clarified" its position.

A spokesman said: "Given the complexities of proving ownership, and the fact that they were attached without consent, we will not be returning flags.

"People were given the opportunity to remove flags and items they'd attached to lampposts and street furniture before we started taking them down, which was well-publicised."

Derby City Council announced that it would be removing all flags attached to lampposts and other council-owned structures without revealing when they would be taken down.

Councillor Sarah Chambers initially offered everyone who had raised a flag on public land the opportunity to retrieve it from the council.

The council discouraged individuals from removing flags for personal safety, given the height and equipment involved.

The statement said: "Responsibility for such actions lies entirely with the individual concerned."

It noted to residents that anyone is welcome to fly the flag on their own property, deeming it the "responsible and legal thing to do".

A spokesman said: "Attaching items to lampposts and street furniture without formal consent is illegal and a breach of the Highways Act 1980 and associated safety regulations.

"Residents who would like to explore the possibility of installing a flag pole into their community are welcome to get in touch."

Derby City Council are one of a number of councils who have taken down Union Jacks and St George's Crosses across the country.

The Liberal Democrat-run Shropshire Council said English flags hoisted as part of "Operation Raise the Colours" had been left "torn, unsightly, or potentially hazardous" after inclement weather.

Deputy council leader Alex Wagner said in August: "Shropshire Council has absolutely no problem with people being patriotic and with flying the colours.

"[But] a lot of these are clearly made of plastic. I suspect they're not going to withstand much pressure from the elements, whether that's being dyed in the sun or wind and rain.

"The zip ties are going to stay for a long old time... These might look alright this morning, but in three or six months, I suspect the same people aren't going to be going back around, keeping an eye on maintaining them. Ultimately, that falls on the public purse."

Labour-run Birmingham City Council has recruited staff to remove "unauthorised" flags from the streets in a month-long campaign during the early hours of each day.

The workers will work in darkness throughout October to tear down items including Union Jack and St George's flags, which have sprung up across the city in recent months.

Workers will "travel to sites across Birmingham" to carry out the "essential removal works" and be paid up to £25 per hour.