St George flag raisers could face fines under new council rules

People who put flags on public lamp-posts and railings could face prison or fines under new rules being considered by councils.

It comes as authorities across the West of England say they have had to pay thousands of pounds to have the flags removed.

Bristol Lib Dem councillor Stephen Williams said councils are in a "cat-and-mouse situation", with workers taking the flags down and then people putting them back up again.

Beginning in the summer of 2025, thousands of St George flags have appeared in towns and cities across England, with individuals and groups behind them saying they wanted to celebrate patriotism.

Bristol City Council said it has spent about £50,000 on removing flags across the city, but explained the figure does not include the amount of time allocated to officers to conduct site visits, administration and respond to enquiries.

The city council is now considering taking a similar approach to Oxfordshire County Council in obtaining a High Court injunction which will prohibit flags on public furniture.

If approved, any person breaching the order could face prison, a fine or having their assets seized.

Williams said putting flags up on lamp-posts is dangerous.

"Unfortunately we're in a situation where our highways contractors have taken down hundreds of flags, they pretty soon go up again, so we're in a cat-and-mouse situation," Williams said.

"There is divided opinion about the meaning of people putting up flags on council lamp-posts or railings."

In Somerset, the council said the issue has cost taxpayers more than £2,900 between August 2025 and August 2026.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said it will look at "recovering costs for removal from those responsible".

"It's important to remember that many residents do not support these unauthorised public displays," a spokesperson added.

"If we want Somerset to remain a welcoming and vibrant place then we need to ensure flags are used to foster belonging, not division."

South Gloucestershire Council has taken a robust approach and introduced a policy to remove them.

It previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service , that unauthorised flags are a "serious matter".

Lib Dem councillor Maggie Tyrrell and Labour councillor Ian Boulton said the way some flags were being used went against the values of the South Gloucestershire community.

They said: "We recognise that national flags can bring vibrancy, pride and a sense of unity to our communities – especially during major events and periods of national celebration.

"However, their placement in unauthorised locations and recent campaigns and behaviours linked to the unauthorised display of flags have caused genuine concern among many residents."

Wiltshire Council does not plan to put in place any kind of enforcement campaign and said it is dealing with incidents on a case-by-case basis.

"Our concern isn't with the flags themselves, but with where they're displayed," David Bullock, the council's director of highways, said.

"Flags, banners and bunting attached to lamp-posts, road signs, roundabouts or other highway infrastructure without permission can create safety risks for road users and pedestrians and may obstruct visibility."

The local authority said it has "a responsibility to keep the highway safe, clear and accessible for everyone".

Bath and North East Somerset Council said it has no plan to introduce measures against hanging unauthorised flags.

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