00:00Flags appearing on lampposts and railings have become a growing issue for councils across the west of England,
00:06with some authorities spending thousands of pounds removing them.
00:10Bristol City Council says it's spent around £50,000 removing flags across the city.
00:17The local authority says that figure doesn't include the time officers spend visiting sites,
00:22carrying out administration and responding to inquiries.
00:25The council is now considering a legal approach similar to one being used by Oxfordshire County Council.
00:31That could involve seeking a High Court injunction to prohibit flags being attached to public furniture.
00:37Anyone who breaches such an order could face a prison sentence, a fine or seizure of assets.
00:43The issue has become more visible since the summer of 2025,
00:47when thousands of St George flags appeared in towns and cities right across England.
00:52Individuals and groups behind the displays said they wanted to celebrate patriotism.
00:57But councils across the region say the way the flags are being put up can create practical problems.
01:04Bristol Lib Dem Councillor Stephen Williams said the authority's highways contractors
01:08had removed hundreds of flags only for others to be put back up.
01:11He described the situation as a cat and mouse one,
01:14and said there were divided opinions on what the displays meant.
01:18Williams also said putting flags on lampposts could be dangerous.
01:21The financial cost is being highlighted elsewhere.
01:24Somerset Council says the issue cost taxpayers more than £2,900 between August 2025 and August 2026.
01:33A council spokesperson said Somerset would look at recovering removal costs from those responsible.
01:39They also said many residents didn't support unauthorised public displays,
01:43adding the council wanted flags to foster belonging rather than division.
01:47In South Gloucestershire, the council has introduced a policy to remove unauthorised flags.
01:52The authority previously said unauthorised flags were a serious matter.
01:57Lib Dem Councillor Maggie Tyrrell and Labour Councillor Ian Bolton said national flags could bring vibrancy,
02:02pride and unity, particularly during major events and periods of national celebration.
02:07But they said placing them in unauthorised locations alongside recent campaigns
02:11and behaviour connected with some displays had caused genuine concern among many residents.
02:17Wiltshire Council is taking a different approach.
02:20The authority says it doesn't plan to introduce an enforcement campaign
02:23and will deal with incidents individually.
02:25David Bullock, Wiltshire Council's director of highways,
02:28said the concern was not with the flags themselves, but the way they were displayed.
02:31He said flags, banners and bunting attached without permission to lampposts, road signs, roundabouts
02:37or other highway infrastructure could create safety risks for road users and pedestrians.
02:43The local authority said it had a responsibility to keep the highway safe, clear and accessible for everyone.
02:49The approach varies across the region, from removal policies and possible legal action
02:54to dealing with individual incidents.
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