A man has said he was attacked with a firebomb while putting up St George’s cross flags. The man said he was hit in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, as he and his pals were attaching flags to lampposts in the town just after midnight on Saturday (August 23).
Video posted on social media from an account named Thyme to Crusade shows something burning on the road close to the back tyres of a stationary car. The person behind the camera can be heard saying: “Putting flags up, got petrol bombed”.
The footage cuts to a blood-stained man, named “Louis”, waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
A voice behind the camera can then be heard saying: “Just finished the night, three hours of flagging – and our boy has been petrol bombed. A petrol bomb was thrown at the car, smashed straight onto his head.”
Those responsible are described by the same person as cowards and scumbags.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed police were called to reports of a man being assaulted in Fairlands Way, Stevenage, at 12.09am on Saturday.
Ch Insp Sarah Gilbertson said officers spoke with the victim, who had suffered a laceration to his head.
She said he was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage for treatment and it appeared he was struck by a glass bottle containing a lit rag, sustaining a cut to his head.
Ms Gilbertson added: “I know this incident will concern people living locally, but I would like to reassure the community that this was a contained incident.”
Anyone with information should contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The alleged assault comes amid a campaign of flag-raising around the country which was initially prompted by Birimingham City Council announcing it would be removing hundreds of flags which had been attached to lampposts and street furniture by members of the public.
Birmingham’s announcement led to a backlash and accusations of double-standards, with critics pointing to the flying of Palestine flags in the city.
The local authority has previously said its staff needed help from the police to remove the Palestinian flags.
