Statement on flag raising

The placing of flags on lampposts has resulted in several calls to our control room, with questions about police powers to remove flags.

We know this matter continues to be debated in communities with people for and against, and we wanted to outline the legal position.

The flying of a nation’s flag is not, in its own right illegal unless there is any other criminality attached to that display.

Officers have no reason to interfere with personal displays of flags on private property as long as there is no criminal or planning regulation breaches present in the display.

The decision about the removal of flags from public street furniture is a matter for the local authority or relevant highways agency.

We will not remove flags from public street furniture unless some other factor makes it necessary for a policing purpose, including that;

- the flag has been defaced to include illegal content.

- the position and nature of the flag create a public safety hazard, by, for instance, obscuring the view of highway users or presenting a risk of damage to property.

Where allegations have been made about criminal activity, we will review any relevant evidence and take action where there is a legal basis to do so.  Our focus is on what is said and shouted whilst the flags are being attached, rather than the act of raising the flag.

Our role is to support peaceful and respectful communities, and we remain committed to working constructively with local authorities and community partners to address emerging issues in a fair and balanced way.