Sussex Police has spelt out its position on the trend for flags to be attached to lampposts, buildings and other structures across the area.
The statement from the force follows a public letter to civic leaders from a coalition of community groups at the end of last month.
The letter called on council leaders to tackle the “unauthorised flag displays” linked to “Operation Raise the Colours” and associated harassment in Brighton and Hove.
The groups, known collectively as Our Brighton, sent their email to the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, and the chief executive, Jess Gibbons.
Sussex Police said: “We are aware of the recent increase in the displaying of flags across Sussex and the impact it is having on our communities.
“Recognising there are varied motivations for people’s decisions to display flags, we cannot ignore that their presence is creating different feelings among the public.
“We know from our ongoing community engagement, some people feel intimidated and targeted – not by the flag itself but by the perceived motivation for its display.
“For these reasons, we would like to provide clarity on the police response so the public understand our position.
“Attaching any item, be that a flag or other display, to a lamppost or other street furniture is an offence under the Highways Act.
“Sussex Police will not remove flags from the highway as this is the responsibility of either the local authority or highways agency.
“In circumstances where people are found to be affixing flags to a lamppost or other street furniture, officers will make them aware of the relevant legislation and warn them they may be subject to further enforcement action.
“We will continue to attend any incidents where there is intimidation or threats made towards those employed to remove the flags or where other allegations about criminal activity such as criminal damage are made.
“We are clear that we will not tolerate violent, threatening or intimidatory behaviour and we will respond to and investigate such matters with proportionate action taken where there is a legal basis to do so.
“Sussex Police will respond to any concerns in a fair and balanced way.
“We remain committed to working closely with local councils and political leaders as they seek to build improved community cohesion.”
As someone who, in their younger days, might have been tasked with producing such a press release, I find this situation has gone into cloud cuckoo land. The language here is on point, talking about ‘community engagement’, and ‘unauthorised flag displays’. That’s just laughable spin.
This latest press statement is really about the Police saying they haven’t got the budget – or the working time – to remove flags, and that they think it’s the Council’s job. Ironically, the Council themselves are claiming the same thing – no money to remove flags that don’t fit their own thought bubble.
In reality, this is a storm-in-an-office-watercooler discussion that has gone on too long, and when most of us residents have surely moved on?
Who cares about the flag w*nk*rs, and their mis-placed patriotism? Not me.
Most of us ARE quietly patriotic – or at least we love our country, our unique city, and our personal identity, without the need to fly a flag to show that. Even those who are first or second generation immigrants, can see that flag waving is only provocative or frightening, if you let it be so. Instead of shouting about flags you don’t like, try and talk to your neighbours, whatever their background. And that’s how communities are formed.
Flag wars are orchestrated and childish screeching, which, like a tantrum, will soon die down.
You care so little you wrote that huge comment at 10pm. Good to know how triggered you are by your own flag.
Can’t decide if this is tacit support for the “Temu nylon flag + tie wrap + Enoch woz right + Free Tommy” ladder brigade or low intensity trolling.
Hi, Mark, thanks for your reply.
Obviously, if you are tucked up in bed early then 10pm might seem like a late time for you.
For those of us who have spent a lifetime working in the night-time economy, it is not.
As usual, Billy, you articulate yourself well.
On this occasion, I disagree with the dismissal. While the flag debate might seem trivial on the surface, for some residents it isn’t about the cloth itself but what it has come to represent – a signal that certain people aren’t welcome. We can hark back to the swastika, once a symbol of peace, now irreversibly tainted by its association with hatred. With that in mind, I don’t see this as “office watercooler” politics; it’s often how intimidation begins. Public space should feel safe and shared for everyone.
On the legal side, by all means, fly a flag outside your own home, but not on public property or street furniture. And certainly don’t threaten or intimidate people simply doing their job to remove them. You’d think that part would be obvious, yet recent events suggest otherwise.
bosh you get it sir benjamin
Maybe it’s just me that has moved on then. I actually wrote about the history of the Swastika a month ago, explaining how it had been hijacked in that earlier era of hate. I don’t think the St George’s flag has quite got that far, in terms of its rabid symbolism..
I’m also a gay man who started using the word ‘gay’ as a description or as a safe identity, in a time when the word ‘Queer’ was more an insult or a threat. But that Q word is now back in fashion, after it was reclaimed.
And that’s partly because there was a newer generation who were bullied at school with the word ‘Gay!’ being used as the playground put down.
At times like these, it’s best to own what’s right and to condemn what’s bad. The St George’s flag is still ours, as is the Union flag. Both of them ours.
Let the flag w*nk*rs try and use our flags to intimidate – because every time they do we start this discussion.
Shouting soon dies down.
And, as another way forward, I suggest we bring back bunting. Flags can be fun.