Illegal attachment of Union and St. George’s flags to lampposts across Bexley
In recent weeks there has been a substantial number of Union and St. George’s flags that have been attached illegally to lampposts, footbridges, railway bridges, in addition pedestrian crossings and roundabouts have been vandalised with spray paint. Whilst the flags should be and are celebrated, many residents have expressed concern at the way these flags have been raised, which has not been inclusive of the whole community, but instead has been carried out in an underhand manner, overnight, with ladders used to illegally attach flags to lampposts. Bexley Labour Group condemns these actions. These actions are costing the council and residents money, with the need to repaint vandalised infrastructure designed for road safety.
Our country’s flags are something we all celebrate, it is a symbol that unites us as a nation across the political divide, these actions have not been inclusive of the whole community. ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ campaign is divisive because it arises from hostile nationwide protesters outside hotels housing asylum seekers, sometimes with the intention to attack those vulnerable people. The Union and St. George’s flag are being used as nationalistic, rather than patriotic symbols in relation to these protests. The Union and St. George’s flag should be used to unite people across our community, and we reiterate that Bexley is a welcoming and inclusive borough for all.
Cllr. Stefano Borella, Leader of Bexley Labour Group said:
‘Bexley Labour Group support residents raising flags to celebrate sporting events like England winning 5-0 against Serbia, recently, we all enjoyed that and got behind the team and celebrating national events, like VE day and the coronation, but we condemn people raising flags illegally and defacing council property who are seeking to divide and stoke tensions in the community. We are calling on Bexley Tories to publicly condemn this action and remove these flags immediately, safely, which are damaging council property and will only look tatty as the winter months approach.’
There was no official request to the council to seek permission to do this for St. George’s day or VE Day 80 celebrations, so that the whole community could celebrate, instead these actions are stoking tensions in the community and there are many residents across the borough who do not support this divisive behaviour. Recently members of Bexley Labour spoke to residents in Welling, who remember only too well the racist bookshop and riots that took place in Welling, thankfully this bookshop was removed by the Labour party in the mid-nineties.
All hate crime should be reported to the police for response. This should be done by calling 999 in an emergency or otherwise by calling 101, visiting a police station or reporting online to the Met’s dedicated platform, True Vision: www.report-it.org.uk. Residents can seek support from the London Victim and Witness Services if they are a victim or witness of hate crime by calling 0808 168 9291. There are also specific services for anti-Muslim hate: Tell MAMA, 0800 456 1226; and racist hate: The Monitoring Group, 020 7582 7438. Look at: www.bexley.gov.uk/hate-crime
N.B The flags that are attached in the Broadway area along the pedestrian area and by ASDA have been attached after permission was given by Bexley Council to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the end of war in Europe and Japan which was celebrated by the whole community.