Cornwall Council has condemned locals who fly British flags on lampposts for being “disrespectful” to the flag. The local authority claims that Union Jacks and St George’s Crosses cable-tied to lampposts enable them to become tattered by the elements. They added that this applies to those painting the cross on the ground, as it will be trampled on or driven over.
This comes after a number of flags were cable-tied to lampposts throughout Liskeard town centre. Cornwall Council claims that, while it “supports civic pride and flags of all nations”, it will “swiftly” remove any flags hanging from lampposts in the county. A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We are not seeing this as a major issue across Cornwall and we support civic pride and flags of all nations – including our own flag of St Piran.
“However, leaving a flag cable-tied to a lamppost to become tattered by the elements, or painting a flag on the ground where it will be trampled on and driven over, is disrespectful.
“Anyone who cares enough about the flag to put up a flagpole in their garden is very welcome to do so, just as we proudly do at Lys Kernow and many town halls across Cornwall.
“But if anyone disrespects the flag by attaching it to a lamppost or painting it on the floor, they should expect to see it removed swiftly by the council.
“Such action will cost our taxpayers money, which could be better spent on fixing potholes or improving the roads. The safety and wellbeing of our communities remains our highest priority.”
The St George’s Cross has cropped up in numerous places in recent weeks as part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’. Roundabouts in Wadebridge and Helston have been painted with the flag over the last weekend.
The flag displays coincided with a rise in anti-migrant hotel protests, and counter-protests.
Thousands of Brits have taken to the streets in recent weeks against hotels in their local area housing asylum seekers.
The first town to see demonstrations was Epping, Essex after an asylum seeker in the Bell Hotel was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old. He denies wrongdoing.