Birmingham City Council has applied to the High Court for an injunction to prevent an anti-migrant group from attaching flags to infrastructure across the city. The legal move follows repeated incidents in which banners and flags have been placed on bridges, gantries and other structures.
Council's legal action
The council said the flags pose a safety risk because they can obstruct drivers' views or fall onto roadways, and they also cause distress to local communities. The application seeks to ban the group from using any council-owned or managed infrastructure for such displays without prior permission.
A council spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep our roads and public spaces safe and welcoming for everyone. These unauthorised displays are not only dangerous but also undermine community cohesion.”
Group's activities
The group, which has not been named in the application, has previously been linked to anti-migrant protests in the West Midlands. Its members have reportedly used social media to encourage supporters to place flags on prominent structures, including motorway bridges.
Council officials say they have removed dozens of flags in recent months, but the group continues to replace them. The injunction would allow the council to take legal action against individuals who breach the order, potentially including fines or contempt of court proceedings.
Next steps
The High Court is expected to consider the application in the coming weeks. If granted, the injunction would cover all public infrastructure within Birmingham's boundaries and would remain in force until a full hearing can be held.
