‘You’re not proud of your country if you’re vandalising’ says resident over St George’s Cross spray paint

By Gbam Godwin On Sep 20, 2025

‘You’re not proud of your country if you’re vandalising’ says resident over St George’s Cross spray paint.

The St George’s Cross was daubed in ‘broad daylight’ on street signs, lampposts, and a notice board in a Sheffield suburb.

The English flag was daubed on things on Carlisle Street, Forcett Street, and Lyon Street, near Ellesmere Park in Brightside, Sheffield, at 6.30pm on Monday, September 15.

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CCTV footage shows a car pulling up and someone spray painting. Pictures from the scene show that the street signs are virtually illegible. “He’s just had a field day,” one local told The Star, requesting anonymity out of concern for her personal safety.

“It just shocked me that it happened during the day – in broad daylight.” This latest development follows a movement that saw Union Jack flags hoisted on lampposts around South Yorkshire.

While supporters have stated that the movement is a display of patriotism, and many may be pleased to see the newly hoisted flags, there is growing worry about how this nationalist attitude is being used to justify cruel and divisive actions.

Speaking of the recent spray painting in Sheffield, the resident added: “It’s really awful to walk up and down the street. “He spray-painted the actual road signs.” He’s made it seem ugly. “You’re not proud of your country or city if you’re going around vandalising things.” I just don’t get it.”

Rotherham Council has stated that each spraypainted roundabout costs taxpayers £1,000 to clean up, and The Star has asked Sheffield City Council how much the latest clean-up is estimated to cost.

The local administration has already stated that any unlawful flags on public property will be removed as part of ‘regular maintenance’. In a statement issued on September 4, a representative for Sheffield Council stated:

“Sheffield City Council encourages people flying flags on private property and recognises that there are numerous reasons to fly flags, including community celebrations, national pride, and our many sporting events.

However, illegal things will be removed from public property as part of ordinary maintenance.

Any unauthorised goods that pose a safety risk will be removed immediately. “Should any flags need to be removed they will be retained and stored in a safe location.”