Council urges ‘common sense’ over ‘patriotic’ flag displays

KENT County Council has announced that patriotic flags flying in public places will only be taken down if they pose a risk to members of the public.

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Kent Police has said that Operation Raising the Colours - an online campaign dedicated to displaying the Union Flag and St George's Flag in public spaces around Britain - is lawful, and will not be regarded as an act of hostility or of support for a political cause. But a council statement also urged people to act with “common sense” and not take risks in scaling lamp posts or tall structures to display flags.

The statement noted: “Flags that are hindering the work of KCC and district and borough councils, like those blocking the view of CCTV cameras, will be removed as will anything affecting road signage and the safety of the public.