The notice, issued by Oxfordshire County Council on Monday afternoon, March 30, means that any individual or organisation must stop putting the flags up in public areas.

The county council said it has taken action following the repeated installation of flags on or near highways without consent.

If the group does not comply with the letter, the council will consider all available options to include, but not limited to, civil and criminal proceedings against the organisation and individuals affiliated with it to prevent further unauthorised action.

A group from Raise the Colours were hanging flags on Abingdon Road on Tuesday (Image: Elsie from the block)

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Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The scale and persistence of this activity is affecting communities across Oxfordshire.

“We are proud of our diverse communities in Oxfordshire and of being the first county council to be awarded Local Authority of Sanctuary status.

“We proudly fly the Union Jack and St George’s flags, which are visible symbols of democracy and unity.

“However, the widespread installation of flags by Raise the Colours is not a sign of patriotism. It is an act of intimidation and division that is having a real and damaging impact on our communities.

“Our residents report feeling distressed, unwelcome and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.

“Our teams removing the flags, together with residents who have challenged the individuals installing them, have been subject to abuse and threatening behaviour. This is totally unacceptable.

(Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

“The council has a responsibility to act where behaviour undermines community cohesion and the safe and inclusive use of public spaces. That is why we are taking firm action.

“We won’t hesitate to take further legal steps where necessary to protect residents and support the cohesion of our communities.”

In a social media statement last week, group leader Ben Cullen declared “war” on Oxfordshire County Council, saying his group will be going out on nights contractors are removing flags.

It comes as police launch a criminal investigation into a “confrontational” incident while England flags were being put up along Oxford’s Abingdon Road last week.

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The incident allegedly involved a cherry picker blockading access on the evening of March 24 and residents being unhappy with the presence of those putting flags up.

In a statement late on Friday, police said it is aware of the incident and has opened an investigation.

“We have no further comments at this time but will share an update when we have one,” a spokesman said.

Anna Railton, Oxford City Councillor for Hinksey Park (Labour) said: “This group of people are not welcome back to Oxford.”

MP for Oxford East Anneliese Dodds added she was “very concerned” to hear about the incident and their “apparently intimidating behaviour” towards residents.

Two-thirds of staff at Karger Publishers in the Swiss city of Basel have been dismissed just four months after the Oxford-based publisher took it over.

Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung reported the individual notice periods range from one to six months.

It comes after OUP held a similar consultation for staff here in Oxford in November to made up to 113 job cuts, although the business declined to say how many it sacked.

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Basler Zeitung reports: “The company management justifies the job cuts with a necessary strategic realignment.

“The company wants to abandon certain business areas due to a lack of profitability.

“According to information provided by this editorial team, employees in particular have been dismissed from the areas of customer service, sales, IT and marketing.

“The finance department was largely spared from the redundancies.”

A source told the publication: “I had an online meeting with my supervisor. Each employee was given just 15 minutes to have their dismissal explained. It was a massacre.

“He told me he would now go through a script step by step. I think they were advised very intensively by lawyers in advance.”

More than 9,000 book titles and over 100 peer-reviewed journals have been published by Karger Publishing, making it one of Switzerland’s largest publishers of medical publications.

Oxford University Press said: “There were some organizational changes recently proposed at Karger Publishers which have been subject to consultation over the past few weeks. 

“The consultation has now closed and a number of colleagues will leave the organization over the coming weeks and months. I’m unable to share the specific number of colleagues affected.”

Cogges Manor Farm is a heritage centre, part of which dates back to the 13th century, and last Saturday, March 28 it began its Easter programme.

The fun runs until Sunday, April 12, promising attractions and activities for all ages.

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Farmyard favourites such as chicks in the hatchery and newborn lambs will be present for visitors to meet, while little ones can have fun in a supersized sandpit and on a bunch of brand-new mini-tractors.

The farm also introduces Freya, a life-sized milkable cow model.

Alice in Wonderland fans will be treated to themed surprises as the downstairs of the Manor House turns into scenes from the beloved story, featuring a Mad Hatter tea party and the Queen of Hearts’ parlour.

An Alice in Wonderland display at Cogges Manor Farm (Image: Cogges Manor Farm)

The only event that is yet to begin is the ‘egg hunt in the straw’ which kicks off this Wednesday, April 1.

A spokesperson for the venue said: “Alice in Wonderland looks great in the downstairs of the Manor House and the new supersize sandpit and new fleet of mini ride on tractors are proving to be very popular.

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“We’ve also got new trails to follow in the house and across the farm and our hatchery is up and running.”

Already a famous site, Cogges is well-known for being a filming location for hit ITV drama Downton Abbey. In the show, ‘Yew Tree Farm’ is where Lady Edith’s illegitimate daughter is raised.

The farm is open from 9.30am to 5pm.