Luton Borough Council warns people against putting flags on lampposts.
The council has advised residents not to tie any flags to lampposts or other street furniture in Luton for “safety and legal reasons”. This summer, individuals painted Union flags and St George’s Crosses on lampposts, bridges, and flyovers, as well as on roundabouts.
However, Luton Borough Council has warned against it, having already taken down six in the town. The council stated, “We understand that people may want to display flags and other items in public; however, for safety and legal reasons, no flags or objects may be attached to lampposts or other public street furniture in Luton.”
“This is consistent with the Highways Act of 1980 and applies equally to all flags and articles, regardless of design or message. It’s the method we’ve always used when placing products on our highway.” People are permitted to fly a flag on their property, either on a flagpole in the garden or on a pole attached to the house, as long as it complies with government standards (height limitations, non-hazardous, and does not block sightlines). It stated: “When we receive allegations of unlawful fixings, we must remove them. “Each removal comes at a cost to the council, which ultimately falls on local taxpayers.”
The rise of flags appearing on public property has been connected to rising anti-immigrant sentiment, notably among asylum seekers coming on tiny boats and staying in hotels.
Some have praised the displays as manifestations of national identity, while others have criticised them, claiming that the flags are exploited as emblems by far-right parties or that they are threatening or divisive to minority communities.
The council explained that attaching objects to lampposts can pose concerns. Climbing or using homemade fasteners can result in injury. For these reasons, national regulations and our own rules prohibit it.” Workers charged with flag removal have been subjected to abuse while on the job.
The council stated, “We also request that our employees and contractors be treated with respect while carrying out this work. “They’re simply doing their job.”
The Luton Council’s position is clear: “Abuse, harassment, or photographing employees for the purpose of targeting them on social media is unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and will be reported to the police.”
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