St George's flag added to famous British landmark as police confirm 'no crime' was committed

Rafe Heydel-Mankoo explains the St George's flag trend |

GB News

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 09/09/2025

- 14:34

The material was secured using pegs driven into the grass surrounding the chalk figure

Red fabric has been arranged across Westbury's White Horse in Wiltshire, transforming the historic chalk figure into a St George's Cross visible from considerable distances.

The material was discovered attached to the landmark earlier this morning, with photographs revealing the distinctive red cross formation against the white hillside figure.


The fabric installation represents the latest in a series of St George's Cross displays appearing across the nation.

Similar patriotic symbols have emerged on various structures, roundabouts and motorways, with flags being erected along major thoroughfares and town centres throughout the country.

Westbury's White Horse in Wiltshire

Red fabric has been arranged across Westbury's White Horse in Wiltshire, transforming the historic chalk figure into a St George's Cross visible from considerable distances

|

X

Wiltshire Police have determined that no laws were broken in the installation of the red material on the hillside monument.

A police spokesman confirmed: "We are aware of red material being pinned across the Westbury White Horse to form the St George's Cross. No criminal offences are thought to have been committed and we are not investigating it."

The material was secured using pegs driven into the grass surrounding the chalk figure, avoiding direct contact with the historic rock formation itself.

This method of attachment distinguished the incident from criminal vandalism, according to police assessment of the situation.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Westbury's White Horse in Wiltshire

The material was discovered attached to the landmark on Tuesday morning

|

X

English Heritage has announced plans for the immediate removal of the fabric installation.

"We'll be removing it as soon as we can and seeing whether the pegs that were used have caused any damage to this much-loved historic landmark," the organisation said.

Westbury Town Council confirmed they had notified the landmark's owners about the incident.

A council spokesman said: "The landowners, English Heritage, have been informed, and are arranging for a roped access team to attend the site as soon as possible to remove and assess any damage."

Westbury's White Horse in Wiltshire

Photographs revealing the distinctive red cross formation against the white hillside figure

|

X

Specialist teams with rope access equipment will be required to safely reach and remove the material from the steep hillside location.

Local authorities have drawn distinctions between this fabric installation and earlier incidents involving permanent defacement of public property.

Wiltshire Council had previously characterised individuals who spray-painted roadways across the county as vandals rather than patriots, highlighting the difference between temporary displays and lasting damage.

A thorough evaluation will be conducted once the specialist removal team gains access to the steep hillside location.

Thousands of flags have appeared up and down the country as part of Operation Raise the ColoursThousands of flags have appeared up and down the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours | REUTERS

Both Birmingham and London's Tower Hamlets Council begun the patriotism rows after pulling down the flag of the United Kingdom.

Flags have been hoisted from the South Coast to the North East - with the Prime Minister even appearing to back the drive.

The PM's official spokesman said: "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.

"I think he's talked about that previously [...] not least recently in relation to the Lionesses' successful campaign in the Euros. Patriotism will always be an important thing to him."

More From GB News