2 days ago
Worcestershire police investigate St George flags on roundabouts
A police investigation has been launched into criminal damage after roundabouts in Worcestershire were painted with the St George's mini roundabouts in the county, including in Bromsgrove, were painted after similar decorations popped up in neighbouring Birmingham. Hundreds of flags have also been tied around lampposts, which Worcestershire County Council, run by a Reform UK minority, said would Reform UK councillor Karl Perks described the "illegal painting of red crosses on local roundabouts" as "acts of vandalism".
He added the practice, which has been supported by some residents, was "costing tax payers money"."As the cabinet member for highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other tax payer in the county does not pay for this," Cllr Perks Mercia Police confirmed they were investigating the daubing of roundabouts in Monday, a video of a man painting a red cross onto a mini roundabout in the town circulated on social the video, a police car is seen pulling up to the man for a few seconds before driving Richard Field from the West Mercia force said: "Painting roundabouts is not only dangerous to drivers and pedestrians, but it also amounts to criminal damage. "We are working closely with partners, including Worcestershire County Council, to tackle this issue and investigate where appropriate."
In Worcester, landscape gardener Tom Conway told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester he believed he had put up about 400 flags in the city."The morale in the community seemed low and, ever since we did it, people have driven past and shown nothing but love and happiness," he Conway added he thought the UK should be more like the United States, and fly the flag proud.
'Heated debate'
On Tuesday, Perks said climbing up lampposts and attaching flags to them "may not be the best thing to do, mostly because it's dangerous and could cause damage".He suggested people could show their pride by flying the flag in their gardens, on cars, in home windows and on "community buildings where agreed by the whole community".He said, however, there was no specific plan to take the flags down. Ed Kimberley, who is a Labour Worcester City councillor for Warndon and Elbury Park, said he had been contacted by residents who disagreed with the flags."Is this a positive message of patriotism or is it something more sinister?" he said."If it is a message of positivity, then why is the debate heated?"
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