Leicestershire County Council is urging residents to stay safe when putting up flags and to stop painting roads, following a recent surge in displays of Union Jacks and St George’s Crosses.
Attaching items to streetlights without permission is an offence, but the council’s highways teams will only intervene if flags on lamp posts or other street furniture pose a significant safety risk. However, the public is being reminded that painting or graffiti on roads—especially mini-roundabouts and crossings—is illegal.
Picture credit: Janna Roberts
Since Friday, 29 August, crews have already removed at least three instances of offensive graffiti, costing taxpayers additional money.
Council leader Dan Harrison said: “It’s great to see patriotic spirit, and the flags are a welcome sight when displayed safely. However, painting roads is a different matter—it’s illegal, dangerous, and we can’t ignore vandalism, especially when offensive messages are involved. Our communities expect action, and we’ll continue to take it.”
Harrison added that he is proud of Leicestershire’s heritage and is looking into ways to celebrate it more appropriately.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews supported the message, stating: “Our national flags are powerful symbols of unity and pride, but I encourage everyone to respect the laws around their display.”
An online grassroots campaign—Operation Raise the Colours—launched in August 2025, has prompted people nationwide to display Union and St George’s flags in public spaces like lamp-posts, road crossings, and mini?roundabouts. Organisers insist the goal is to encourage national pride and community spirit.
A significant factor behind the movement is growing frustration over immigration. Many supporters view the flags as a protest against government immigration policies and asylum-seeking practices, asserting that national identity is being overlooked.
