Darlington council issues warning over flag vandalism

Flags on North Road. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) A surge of St George’s flags has appeared across Darlington, County Durham and the country in recent weeks. While some support the flags as a sign of pride and patriotism, others believe they are part of the online movement ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, which has been backed by far-right figures.

The national flag has also been graffitied on cars, lampposts and roundabouts - all of which has been condemned by politicians of all colours across the region.

Darlington Council leader Cllr Steve Harker said: “People have different reasons for putting up flags, including showing patriotism and support for national sports teams.

“Separately, however, there has been politically-motivated graffiti and criminal damage around the town. This we condemn.

“The Council has a duty to respond where damage is done to its property or there are clear immediate safety issues in relation to its property or the public highway.

“The Council will continue to proudly fly the Union Flag outside the Town Hall.”

Meanwhile, former Conservative council leader Cllr Jonathan Dulston said flying St Georges flags “should be encouraged", but said he would "never support" graffiti.

“I think it has re-instilled a sense of British pride” he said.

“People have been saying it’s a political move, but I don't think it is.

"People are sick and tired of where the country's gone, and I think the fact of the matter is, we do feel like we've lost our identity. People might link that to illegal immigration, but what I'm hearing in Darlington is that people are just wanting to go back to the days where we had a sense of British pride and our identity.

"Flying a flag is a great way to do that.

"If you spray paint on someone's property or council property, then that's not acceptable and I would not support that – it would have a detrimental impact on our town.”

On Albert Road, a St George's flag was painted on a boarded window of a building off North Road. Meanwhile on Mayfair Road, a car had been spray painted with the St George's flag and the word "out" on the boot.

And on Willow Road, a Union Jack flag had been painted on a mini roundabout.

Darlington Green Cllr Roz Henderson added: “The spray painting is criminal damage.

“They've been painting over bus timetables, road signs and roundabouts. This is stopping residents from being able to see the information that they might need to, and that will have to be removed on the taxpayers’ expense.

"I've had residents get in touch with me that say they're not happy about it. We'll have to remove the graffiti if it's causing issues to residents, there's no doubt about that.”

Union Flag painted on Albert Road (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) And not only is the spray-painting causing concerns for the council, but the locations that flags are being put up has also raised some issues.

She continued: “People are putting flags on public lampposts, and because they are maintained by the council - permission was not given to put the flags on them.

A car was pictured with a St George's Cross spray painted on the bonnet and doors. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) “I don't disagree with people flying their flags, that's fine. But you would need to do it on your own property or get approval from whoever's property it is.”

Durham County Council was contacted, but did not respond to our request for comment in time for publication.

Durham Police was also approached for comment but were unable to provide a response before the Echo went to press.