New rules being considered by councils could see individuals who place flags on public lamp-posts and railings facing prison sentences or fines. Authorities across the West of England report spending thousands of pounds on removing these flags, which began appearing in the summer of 2025.
Bristol City Council has spent around £50,000 on flag removal, a figure that does not include officer time for site visits and administration. The council is now considering obtaining a High Court injunction, similar to Oxfordshire County Council, to prohibit flags on public furniture. If approved, breaching such an order could result in prison, a fine, or asset seizure.
Somerset Council has incurred costs of more than £2,900 between August 2025 and August 2026 due to the issue. A spokesperson for the council stated it would look at "recovering costs for removal from those responsible."
South Gloucestershire Council has implemented a policy to remove unauthorised flags, describing them as a "serious matter." However, Wiltshire Council does not plan an enforcement campaign, dealing with incidents on a case-by-case basis. David Bullock, the council's director of highways, said their concern is with the display location, as flags on highway infrastructure without permission can create safety risks and obstruct visibility.