Council to resume flag removals after staff abuse
PA MediaA council will resume removing flags from lamp-posts after it stopped doing so when staff faced abuse for taking them down.
Sheffield City Council said it will once again take down flags attached "to public highway infrastructure without permission" after halting for safety reasons in December when staff were abused and intimidated.
According to a council spokesperson, removals are prioritised where there is an immediate public safety risk, items contain offensive content or deterioration is creating a hazard.
National flags, such as the St George's Cross, are deemed "non-offensive".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, resident Paul Wimpeney questioned the city council's policy during its meeting on 24 June.
"Why then, in some parts of the city, are ostentatious displays of the Union Jack being used by those wishing to create division between people, suggesting to some communities that they are not welcome?" he said.
"Lamp-posts are council property. Nothing should be attached to them that contradicts the policy and nature of the city."
In response, council leader Fran Belbin replied that it is illegal under the Highways Act to attach items to council infrastructure without permission.
"At present, removals are limited to situations where there is an immediate public safety risk, where items meet the council's criteria for offensive content, or where deterioration is creating a hazard," said Belbin.
"Over the course of the year, our intention is to continue removing unauthorised attachments in line with this approach," she added.
Flags or attachments displaying offensive or abusive messaging are classed as offensive and will be removed as a priority, typically within 24 hours.
The council spokesperson added:"A defined set of criteria is used to assess offensive content, including offensive language, hate statements, or insulting or inciting messaging."
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