Raise the Colours threatened with legal action for flags

The group was initially issued a legal notice banning it from putting up flags in Oxfordshire on April 1.

It came after members livestreamed themselves hanging flags, with locals said to have been subjected to “abuse and threatening behaviour” if they criticised or challenged them.

The movement says it is placing flags around the county in the name of patriotism, but it has attracted criticism with allegations of intimidation and threatening behaviour from some members towards the public and council staff.

Now, the council has threatened group members with a High Court injunction, saying flags had continued to be hung despite the ban.

In a livestream last week, Raise the Colours co-founder Ryan Bridge was filmed holding an urgent letter from the authority, which he said needed legal attention.

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A St George’s Cross painted on the Spring Road/Marcham Road roundabout (Image: Matt Simpson)

Bridge was previously arrested in Oxford on suspicion of causing racially and religiously aggravated assault on Wednesday, April 1 in Abingdon Road, Oxford.

At the time a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Last week, we launched an investigation following reports of incidents of public order offences on Abingdon Road, Oxford.

“Officers are investigating those public order offences and have arrested a 44-year-old man from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on suspicion of causing racially and religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.”

His arrest on Saturday followed an alleged hit-and-run crash involving a van and a pedestrian in Birmingham on Thursday, May 14.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Oxfordshire County Council has issued legal correspondence to individuals in relation to the continued unauthorised placing of flags on or near the public highway.

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A Union flag photographed on an Oxfordshire junction (Image: Ed Nix)

“As the highway authority, the council has a legal duty to keep roads and public infrastructure safe.

“The council has also seen instances of unacceptable behaviour towards employees and contractors carrying out their work and has a responsibility to protect its workforce and the wider public.

“The letters request that this activity stops and seeks assurances that it will not continue. If these are not provided, the council will consider further legal steps, including seeking an injunction from the High Court.”

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

Former leader of Oxfordshire County Council Liz Leffman (Image: Newsquest)

“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 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.”