National flags put up across Norwich sparking police calls.

Dozens of flags were put on lampposts throughout Norwich overnight, resulting in police calls and fights with residents.

Union Jacks and St George flags have been displayed over lengthy areas of Dereham Road, as well as neighbouring sections of the inner ring road at Grapes Hill, Barn Road, and Barrack Street.

People used a long ladder to erect the banners, which were connected to the 15-foot-high lampposts, according to footage published online.

Between 7 and 10 p.m. on Tuesday, a group of around 20 to 30 individuals could be heard shouting and chanting, with noisy motorcycles revving engines and passing automobiles blasting their horns in support.

 

Some of the flags were placed outside Norwich Central Mosque on Dereham Road, in what residents described as a “act of intimidation”. Locals contacted the police to report the behaviour.

According to a Norfolk Constabulary spokesman, officers were dispatched to Dereham Road twice to react to allegations of a “group of people shouting and behaving aggressively”.

However, cops did not intervene, and the mob was permitted to continue down the street into the inner ring road, chanting and erecting additional flags.

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Two flags blow in the wind attached to a lamppost outside a mosque in Dereham Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

In footage posted by the flag-raising group, neighbours are shouted at when they leave their front doors to check the disturbance.

Members of the gang can also be heard using racist language, including yells such as “whose streets, our streets,” “Keir Starmer is a w****r,” and “you can’t trust a leftie with your child.” In recent weeks, an increasing number of national flags have appeared throughout the region and nationwide, polarising views.

Some consider these unofficial displays as a patriotic gesture, while others see them as a protest against the presence of asylum seekers and immigrants.

This division was evident among residents of the Dereham Road area.

A few responded: “I’m not bothered by the flag itself, but I don’t really like people climbing lampposts at night and chanting.” Another stated, “There is no bad blood around here. “I am not intimidated by the flags.”

Others have questioned the group’s behaviour, accusing them of attempting to incite individuals who come to the mosque for evening prayers. Maddy, who lives nearby on Dereham Road, said:

“It doesn’t feel good, and there are racist undertones.” “A friend who is brown was visiting at the time it happened and they felt like they didn’t want to leave.”

Will, another neighbour, stated, “There was a lot of noise, and police arrived. They appeared to be attempting to provoke individuals inside the mosque.

“We never have any trouble here, the only commotion I have known was last night.”

A man climbs up a ladder to attach a flag to a lamppost in Dereham Road (Image: Newsquest)

Charlotte Peden, who lives on a neighbouring street, stated, “It appeared that they were attempting to start a brawl outside.

Police appeared to do nothing and did not intervene in their efforts to raise flags.” In response, neighbours erected “all welcome” bunting down the road, but it had been taken by morning.

Chesney Jefferson, 37, agreed: “There is nothing wrong or vulgar about the flags of our nation but when they are used as a tool for othering, I find that really saddening.”

Liam Clavert, an independent councillor for Wensum ward, stated, “People are telling me they believe this is an attempt to frighten their friends and neighbours.

“It has been amazing to see the community rally around the local residents they love.”

 

 

Liam Calvert is an independent councillor representing Wensum ward. (Image via Newsquest) According to a Norfolk Police spokeswoman, “Officers attended and found no offences had been committed.”

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