National flags put up again in Norwich as tensions rise.

Norwich experienced a second night of street unrest as ‘flaggers’ returned to an area to place national flags, resulting in a standoff with locals.

The group reattached Union Jacks and St George crosses to lampposts along Dereham Road, which had been removed by some residents earlier in the day.

The biggest flashpoint was outside the Norwich Central Mosque on Dereham Road, where a throng of locals opposed to the flags’ re-hoisting had assembled.

Two officers stood outside the building, while eyewitnesses reported that additional officers escorted the group as they raised the flags to ensure that there was no violence.

A group of largely men in support of the flag raisers returned later that evening, at 10 p.m., lined the opposite side of the road and shouting at the crowd gathered outside the mosque.

People in the Dereham Road area congregated around Norwich Central Mosque as ‘flaggers’ returned. (Image via Newsquest)

Raising national flags has become a contentious issue in recent weeks, with proponents claiming it is a patriotic gesture and opponents claiming it causes division and makes people feel insecure.

On Tuesday evening, the so-called flagger group began targeting Dereham Road and the neighbouring inner ring road. During the day, neighbours removed some.
of the flags

.

A Union Jack attached to a lamppost on Dereham Road, Norwich, on Wednesday night (Image: Newsquest)

On Wednesday evening, residents gathered near the mosque after hearing reports of neighbours on Dereham Road barricading their doors after hearing shouting and chanting on Tuesday night.

A group of men shout at the crowd gathering outside the mosque from the other side of the street (Image: SiptheSystem). One man was allegedly thrown against a wall after confronting a group erecting flags outside a residence.

A group of men shout at the crowd gathered outside the mosque from the opposite side of the street

Michelle, a neighbourhood resident, stated: “I urged them not to place a flag outside my daughter’s bedroom. “She was afraid the night before when she saw the men outside, so I requested them not to look into her window.

“They refused, claiming they could hang them wherever they wanted and threatening to return later and peek through her window and onto our roof.

“They pushed my neighbour really hard after he came to aid. “My son has a best friend who is a refugee, he is scared something will happen to him.”

A flag was fastened to a pole on Tuesday night outside a mosque on Dereham Road. (Image: Instagram)

Michelle continued, “I probably wouldn’t fly a flag now to demonstrate support for my nation during a football event. “This movement has stolen patriotism.” Halim, who has been visiting the mosque for 30 years, stated:

“They are doing what they are doing, and there has been no trouble. “It is very kind of our neighbours to support the mosque, and those who come to pray here appreciate it.” “People here are very lovely and kind.”

Locals gathered outside the mosque on Dereham Road and later faced a stand-off with a group of mostly men in support of the ‘flaggers’ (Image: Newsquest)

Quin Jianoran, the head chef of Lupa Pizza, a local eatery, had delivered pizzas to the gathering. He explained, “We donated some pizza to some wonderful needy people.

We wanted to help the community when something like this happened so close to us.” Amanda, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 25 years, added, “One of the stated goals of these organisations is to keep the streets safe for women. However, the first time I felt unsafe here was last night.

A group of mostly men gathered on the opposite side of the road to the mosque and began shouting at the crowd (Image: SiptheSystem)

Another local resident, James, reported that several of the people hoisting the flags were intimidating and hostile. “Police seemed to be doing nothing to stop them,” he told me.

Norfolk Police have been sought for comment.

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