England flags – national pride or public nuisance?

Controversially, it was revealed in January that Oxfordshire County Council spent £14,800 removing 332 flags across the county – the equivalent of around £44 to remove each flag.

The authority previously warned the public that placing flags or painting them on or near highways can create “serious safety hazards”.

Among the areas where flags have been placed in Oxfordshire include around the Headington Roundabout in Oxford and in towns such as Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage.

St George flags were also painted on the mini roundabouts at Marcham Road and Ock Street in August, when the movement was at its height.

The council has confirmed it has received more than 200 complaints regarding Union Jack and St George’s flags on lampposts.

In January, Oxford Labour councillor Susanna Pressel was caught in a secret recording urging for police to “lie in wait and nab the b******* who are reinstalling them so quickly”.

It caused controversy, but activists then turned up to her street and raised extra flags – leading to safety concerns for Ms Pressel.

The Oxfordshire Raise the Colours group recently said on social media: “It is the council taking our flags down, we will not surrender, we will always find a way to stop you.”

And according to Oxfordshire County Council, workmen hiding their identity with face coverings have encountered “aggressive behaviour” from some individuals when taking down the flags.

But what do you think about having England flags up in your area? Is it national pride or a public nuisance? Let us know in the comments below.