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Where in Bristol have the most flags been reported?
FixMyStreet has been overflowing with reports of the Union Jack or St George’s flags being painted across public spaces.
This spate of flag paintings, isn’t however contained to Bristol with similar reports coming in from rest of the country.
With the city bracing for another anti-migration protest on Sunday, Bristol24/7 scanned through reports of flags to see where in Bristol have these shown up the most?
As of September 5, 75 instances of these flag paintings have been reported across Bristol wards.
Bishopsworth – 19 reports
At the top of the list is Bishopsworth, with flag paintings appearing on road markings and lamp posts, including instances of physical flags being flown across the ward. Reports have come in from Queen’s Road, St Peter’s Rise, Rye Close, Cutler Road and other streets in the neighbourhood.
Filwood – 12 reports
There are several reports of flags and flag paintings showing up on Novers Lane, with some instances of them being strung up on lamp posts. Comments claim that these are allegedly part of a far-right campaign and that they feel “intimidating.”
Henbury and Brentry – 11 reports
Next on the list is, Henbury and Brentry, with multiple St George’s flags being reported in the ward. In one instance where flags were reported on a lamppost near a roundabout on Knole Lane, the complainant commented: “Racist connotations of the flags and graffiti, making the locals uncomfortable”.
Knowle – 10 reports
FixMyStreet comments for this ward show “groups of men putting up union jack flags all over lamp posts” on Airport Road in Knowle, as well as instances of zebra crossings being made less visible with spray paint red crosses.
Hartcliffe and Withywood – 5 reports
In Hartcliffe and Withywood, some reports describe pedestrian crossings and roundabouts as being “taken over”, with spray paint flags appearing in all three instances.
Hillfields – 4 reports
This ward shows reports of road junctions being spray painted with St George’s flags, with one complainant saying: “Raising a flag on a pole is fine, politically charged graffiti on road marking distracting car drivers, where kids play, is irresponsible”.
Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston – 3 reports
Locals in Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston have described St George’s markings outside schools and public spaces, as well as reporting instances of flags hung on street lights, signs and traffic cameras.
Bedminster – 3 reports
With all reports centered near Parson Street station, these flags are described as being tied to lamp posts and street signs and being “distracting to road users”.
Brislington West – 2 reports
Relatively new on the list is Brislington West, that has two reported complaints of the Union Jack flag showing up on lampposts near Sandy Park Road.
Frome Vale – two reports
Reports from Frome Vale show St George’s flag graffiti in “multiple places” along Staple Hill Road and the surrounding area. These comments express concern about the rise of the “general anti-immigration rhetoric”, and say that it “does not make [them] comfortable to live in the area.”
Easton, Eastville, Southmead, St George’s Troopers Hill – 1 report from each ward
Each of these wards currently one reported complaint on FixMyStreet. The report for Southmead describes “England flags spray painted in numerous places”, with comments suggesting that this is coinciding with anti-immigration movements. This report describes how a St George’s flag was hung on a public lamp post directly following an anti-immigration march.
These figures cannot necessarily provide an accurate reflection of where St George’s and Union Jack flags are situated in Bristol, as it only reflects those recorded in Bristol City Council reports based on FixMyStreet.
In a statement to Bristol24/7 in the last week of August, a spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “We are aware of a number of incidents over the weekend of of St George’s flag being painted on roundabouts.
“Where offences such as criminal damage are identified, a proportionate investigation will take place and officers will follow-up lines of enquiry.
“We are working with the relevant councils who are dealing with the removal of flags or graffiti.”
Leader of Bristol City Council, Tony Dyer, also commented on the issue. He said: “I’m proud to live in a country where I can express that pride by wearing or flying our national flag, and I will protect people’s right to fly flags…
“As a council we have to balance our desire to support community expression whilst ensuring public safety but will always do so in a way that seeks to empower people.
“The council does not routinely remove flags that are flown. In rare cases, where a flag presents a clear health and safety concern – such as obstructing the highway or creating a risk to the public – we may need to take action as a last resort.
“Where a flag is painted onto highways infrastructure, such as mini-roundabouts, we follow very clear government guidance about how these have to look to be safe and compliant.
“In such cases we have a duty to remove or paint over anything painted onto these structures to comply with our legal responsibilities.”
Main photo and map: Susie Long
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