Police step in as tempers flare over street flags

POLICE were called to a south Bristol street after the row over flags being tied to lampposts escalated into accusations of theft and assault between a group of people who said they put them up, and those who were taking them down.

- TRISTAN CORK

There were tense scenes on one road in Ashton Gate on Sunday morning as residents who said they had put up a fresh line of St George flags tried to stop another group of residents taking them down.

Police were called and allegations and counter-allegations were made, and the Press understands a mediation meeting between some involved in the two groups took place that afternoon.

More St George flags have since been put up on streets in Ashton Gate and Bedminster this week, while teddy bears bearing Union flags and messages of unity and welcome, which were put up around the area last weekend, disappeared after just one day.

There now appears to be a police-brokered stand off with one group maintaining that they will keep tying new Union or St George flags to lampposts, and another group pledging to take them down again.