A local authority has removed a “large number of flags” in a seafront park after a man was punched to the ground in a racist attack. The victim was verbally abused by a group of men described as “white and carrying flags” before he was attacked in Canoe Lake on Southsea seafront in Portsmouth, Hampshire, at 8pm on Sunday, September 21.
Portsmouth City Council has announced that it is removing flags put up in the park because it cannot “ignore any activity that could be deemed to be condoning racist behaviour in our city”.
It said in a statement: “A large number of flags were put up in Canoe Lake park on the same day as a racially aggravated assault which is being investigated by the police.
“Police have said the suspects were carrying flags and subsequently the council has received complaints specifically about the flags in Canoe Lake.
“We understand and respect the desire of some residents to display national pride or remembrance through flags and, as a council, our buildings that have flagpoles proudly fly the Union flag.
“The incident at Canoe Lake is very specific and therefore we have decided to remove the flags from this location.
“We can’t ignore any activity that could be deemed to be condoning racist behaviour in our city.”
The authority added it would be removing “unauthorised” St George’s Cross symbols painted on the Guildhall and on roundabouts as well as flags that “pose a hazard”.
It said: “We will continue to take a measured approach to flags in other areas.
“Unauthorised St George’s Cross paintings were painted on Portsmouth Guildhall and this has caused damage to the Grade II listed building.
“Damage like this is upsetting, unlawful and costly to repair.
“Additionally, symbols have been painted on roads and roundabouts, which do not comply with national road marking standards which the council has a legal duty to uphold, therefore, any non-standard road markings will be removed to keep road markings compliant.
“Flags and any other items attached to lamp posts or any other council property will be reviewed in line with our normal processes and removed in due course, unless they pose a hazard, in which case they will be removed as soon as possible.
“Residents are free to hang flags responsibly on their own property.”
Hampshire Constabulary has appealed for witnesses to the assault to come forward including a woman who spoke to the alleged attackers.
A force spokesman said: “We received a report that a man in his 30s was approached by a group of five or six men he did not know at Canoe Lake in Southsea.
“The men have been described as white and carrying flags.
“Members of the group verbally racially abused the man before he was punched in the head, knocking him to the ground.
“The man suffered minor injuries from the assault and was taken to hospital as a precaution.”
Anti-immigration protests have previously been held outside the nearby Royal Beach Hotel in St Helens Parade.
