Painted St George’s flags have been appearing on roundabouts, walls and churches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, prompting a warning from council leaders.
Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said attaching items to public infrastructure without permission is unlawful and can be unsafe. She explained that painted flags on roads, roundabouts and crossings could distract drivers and put people at risk.
The council confirmed that any items creating a safety hazard will be removed quickly. “Painting of flags on roads, roundabouts and crossings is unlawful and dangerous and we urge people not to do this. We will swiftly remove anything that risks distracting road users or affects the safety of our residents,” said Councillor Earl.
She added that fly-posting and graffiti are treated in the same way and dealing with them diverts staff from other essential work. Residents are being encouraged to fly flags at their own homes or in gardens instead.
The council also asked the public to report any incidents so that teams can respond appropriately. While there is no current figure on how many flags have been painted or how much removal will cost, the message from BCP Council is clear: painted markings on public infrastructure will not be tolerated if they risk safety.
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