Overview

• Birmingham says it has taken down around 200 unauthorised flags and banners from lampposts this year, citing safety obligations and imminent streetlight upgrades.
• Reform-run Worcestershire says it has no specific plans to remove lamppost flags, while its highways lead condemned roundabout painting as vandalism and said he will seek criminal damages.
• Reform UK declared its councils will keep ‘patriotic flags’ in place, with Nigel Farage saying the Union flag and St George’s Cross should fly across the country.
• Police enquiries are under way in the West Midlands and West Mercia after St George’s crosses were painted on roundabouts, which forces describe as dangerous and criminal damage.
• Trafford Council says crosses on three roundabouts will be removed to restore legally required white, skid‑resistant markings, as Sandwell signals tolerance of lamppost flags unless they obstruct visibility.