A council leader has said that some residents have been left feeling "intimidated" by the appearance of Union Jack and St George's flags.
Hundreds of flags have sprung up in towns and cities across the country, many flying from lampposts, as part of a campaign called "Operation Raise the Colours."
The St George's cross has even been painted on mini-roundabouts in Birmingham as the movement continues to grow.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
One group who are behind the display of flags on lampposts in the Weoley Castle area of Birmingham, say they are patriotic, describing themselves as "proud Englishmen with a common goal".
Leader of Liberal Democrat-run Dorset Council, Councillor Nick Ireland said while the movement was "an explosion of patriotism", he claimed the flags have been used as symbols for "far-right political movements" - which had left some residents feeling "intimidated".
"It would be naive to pretend otherwise that the St George's flag has been co-opted by certain far-right groups to promote their agendas," he told the BBC.
"We will not be encouraging division in our communities."
He added that repainting roundabouts was a "regrettable expense that would ultimately fall on taxpayers".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Roundabouts painted with St George's cross as patriotic fightback sparks 'xenophobic vandals' row
- Britons ‘raising the flag’ are promoting national pride, say organisers as St George's flags removed from another council area
- GB News guest erupts at 'left-wingers' for turning their backs on Union flag: 'It’s everybody’s flag!'
Flags have sprung up in towns and cities across the country
|GETTY
Flag Force UK, which is among the groups behind the recent surge in flags, said it it is being done to restore "civic pride" in Britain.
Joseph Moulton, one of the group's organisers, told GB News that the group wanted to make a "positive impact" rather than just "complaining on social media".
"For us, raising the flag and tidying the local area is about mobilising the community, rekindling social responsibility, and restoring pride in where we live.
"In recent years, especially since Covid, the loss of pubs and communal spaces, and the pressures of the cost of living, people have become more atomised and insular.
The St George's cross has been painted on mini-roundabouts in Birmingham
| TURNING POINT UK/FACEBOOK"Combined with wider social and economic difficulties, it is clear we need to start taking responsibility for our communities and making a positive impact, rather than just complaining on social media."
However, not all have approved of the patriotic displays, with flags being removed by councils in Birmingham, Tower Hamlets in east London and York.
Birmingham City Council sparked fury when it said it is working to remove flags from lampposts citing safety concerns and plans to improve street lighting.
In a later statement, the Labour-led authority stated that it "recognises the importance" of the Union Jack and St George's flags as "symbols of national pride", adding it was "normal procedure" for items attached to lampposts to be removed.
Flags have been put on display in Weoley Castle, Birmingham
| XMeanwhile, Tower Hamlets Council vowed to remove flags which had been put up as part of the patriotism campaign "as soon as possible".
A spokesman for the Aspire Party led council said: "We are aware members of the public have been putting up St George's flags on various structures.
"While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure."