Shropshire council staff met with rising ‘abuse and intimidation’ over removal of flags

Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said. Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the council’s position” on the removal of flags and when they attempt to do so – “even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting”, the authority added. The flag campaign , which is believed to have started in Birmingham last summer, has resulted in hundreds of union and St George’s flags being erected on lamp-posts, roundabouts and street furniture across England. Groups involved have said the flags are symbols of pride and patriotism. However, some charities and MPs have raised concerns that the campaign is an act of intimidation and heightens tensions between communities. Shropshire council previously said it would not “police people” over the issue, but last month said the flags would be taken down due to safety concerns. Those involved in erecting the flags would be pursued for the costs of their removal, the authority added. A spokesperson for Shropshire council said on Sunday that the union flag was a “national emblem” that was “widely respected” but acknowledged there were a “range of views about the flags” and it aimed to balance those opinions. …