Bracknell Forest Council has explained why England and Union Jack flags were removed by a cherry picker ‘at 5am’ in the morning.
The flag of St George and Union Jack flags have been put up in Bracknell Forest and throughout the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours activism.
Supporters of the action have called it “an outpouring of patriotism”.
Flags have also been put up near the BP fuel station in Bracknell Road, Crowthorne.
However, these flags were taken down at around 5am on Thursday, August 21.
Neighbours have discussed Operation Raise the Colours and the removal of the flags on the We Love Crowthorne Village Facebook page.
Kari Markham said: “I love seeing the flags on the lamp posts. Thank you to the people who organised it, it makes me smile. We need more!”
Andrea Joyce said: “My husband went to work early (5ish) and there was a large cherry picker with people removing the ones by the petrol station.
“It looked like a council vehicle, but I’m not sure.”
A top official at Bracknell Forest Council clarified that it was responsible for the removal of the flags as they were put up without permission.
Andrew Hunter, executive director for place, said: “The council has no issue with people flying the Union Jack or St George’s flag across the borough, in fact we have a Union Jack flying outside our office and worked with The Lexicon to get Union Jack bunting put up over the summer.
“However, we would ask people to kindly place them on their own property and in line with relevant planning permission.
“While removing flags attached to lampposts or other street furniture may seem trivial, as a public authority we have to apply highways and planning rules consistently and fairly.
“This means that flags, whatever nation or group they represent, will be taken down if they don’t have the relevant permission. This ensures we are keeping our roads and pavements safe and free from obstruction.
“The flags in Crowthorne were removed because they did not have the relevant permission – we took them down early in the morning to reduce inconvenience to road users.”
Although flying the Union Jack and St George’s flag does not require planning permission like other flags, they do require permission of the owner of the site and the highways authority.
The Highways Act 1980 states that the authority, in this case the council, can remove any items that have been put up without its consent.
Some people have argued that Operation Raise the Colours has made them feel uncomfortable due to possible links with ‘the far right’.
The political party Britain First has allegedly co-opted the campaign, according to the Socialist Worker.
Britain First has faced accusations of Islamophobia and antisemitism. Its rallies in Manchester and Birmingham earlier this year saw hundreds of people march with Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags.
