Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded a High Court injunction to prevent the continued unauthorised placement of flags on or near the public highway.
Each named defendant has given an undertaking in the court not to put up flags in Oxfordshire, not to encourage others to do it or abuse people taking them down. The hearing took place at the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday, 23 June.
The application aimed to stop ‘repeated interference with the highway’ and the council’s legal duties as a highway authority. It relates to a series of incidents involving named individuals associated with the organisation known as Raise the Colours.
This includes the unauthorised placement of flags on highway infrastructure, amounting to a criminal offence. It also includes trespass, obstruction of the highway, and incidents where council teams, contractors and residents have faced confrontation or harassment when items are removed. The council maintains that the activity has created clear road and public safety risks.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said:
“We’re pleased with this result. The injunction helps protect our residents and our workforce and supports our responsibility to keep the highway safe.
“This is not, and never has been, about the flag. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display their own flags, including to show their support for the England football team.
“However, the behaviour we’ve seen from Raise the Colours is nothing to do with national pride or with support for the England team during the World Cup. It’s unlawful behaviour, which has put people at risk and caused fear within our communities for almost a year.
“We have a clear responsibility to keep people safe and ensure our public spaces are welcoming for everyone. That’s why we’ve taken this action and why today’s decision by the court provides clarity and protects our colleagues and communities.”
(Picture: Oxfordshire County Council)
