Birmingham City Council has removed dozens of national flags from a main road in the city, with officers carrying out the operation alongside police.
Crews took down the flags from lampposts on West Boulevard in Quinton in the early hours of Wednesday, April 15. The flags, which represented the four UK nations and the Republic of Ireland, had been in place since September.
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The council said it removed the flags because they had been attached without authorisation to public infrastructure.
A spokesperson said: “Attaching unauthorised items such as flags, signs, bunting, posters and banners to lamp columns, signs or other public infrastructure is not permitted, and any such items will be removed.”
The spokesperson added that residents remain free to display flags on private property but must not attach them to street furniture.
The removal follows a similar operation in Kingstanding last month, where the council removed flags from Kingstanding Road during the early hours with police present. The flags were replaced within 24 hours by a local group.
The council said it continues to work with partners to ensure such items are removed “safely and at the appropriate time”, adding that it will consider further action, including legal measures, where necessary.
Officials also said recent activity involving flags had contributed to increased tensions in some areas and urged residents to act responsibly to maintain calm and support community cohesion.
The council added that it recognises the importance of national flags to many residents, noting that the Union flag continues to fly outside the Council House.