Shropshire council staff met with rising ‘abuse and intimidation’ over removal of flags
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<p>Authority says workers and councillors ‘threatened for explaining the council’s position’ as union jack and St George’s flags taken down</p><p>Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said.</p><p>Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the cou
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Shropshire council staff met with rising ‘abuse and intimidation’ over removal of flags Authority says workers and councillors ‘threatened for explaining the council’s position’ as union jack and St George’s flags taken down Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said. Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the council’s position” on the removal of flags and when they attempt to do so – “even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting”. The flag campaign , which is believed to have started in Birmingham last summer, has resulted in hundreds of union and St George’s flags being erected on lamp-posts, roundabouts and street furniture across England. Groups involved have said the flags are symbols of pride and patriotism. However, some charities and MPs have raised concerns that the campaign is an act of intimidation and heightens tensions between communities. Shropshire council previously said it would not “police people” over the issue, but last month said the flags would be taken down due to safety concerns. Those involved in erecting the flags would be pursued for the costs of their removal, the authority added. A spokesperson for Shropshire council said on Sunday that the union flag was a “national emblem” that was “widely respected” but acknowledged there were a “range of views about the flags” and it aimed to balance those opinions. “We do not, however, support the unauthorised attachment of flags or any other objects to street lighting columns, highway infrastructure or other public street furniture due to health and safety issues, damage and costs to residents,” a spokesperson said, encouraging those subject to abuse to report it to the police. They added: “Removing flags is not normal council business, it is not a statutory service an...
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