Sheffield City Council is resuming the removal of unauthorised flags and banners from lampposts across the city, seven months after staff were forced to stop due to abuse and intimidation. The council suspended the work in December 2025 after workers faced hostility while carrying out the task.
Policy on Unauthorised Attachments
The move means St George's Cross flags, Union Jacks and other unauthorised attachments fixed to council-owned lampposts will be taken down in line with the authority's policy. The council said removals are prioritised where there is an immediate public safety risk, where items contain offensive material, or where they have deteriorated and become a hazard.
Council Meeting Raises Concerns
The issue was raised during a Sheffield City Council meeting on June 24, 2026, by resident Paul Wimpeney, who questioned why some large displays of the Union Jack remained in place. He said: 'Why then, in some parts of the city, are ostentatious displays of the Union Jack being used by those wishing to create division between people, suggesting to some communities that they are not welcome? Lamp-posts are council property. Nothing should be attached to them that contradicts the policy and nature of the city.'
Legal Basis for Removal
Responding, council leader Fran Belbin said it is illegal under the Highways Act to attach items to council infrastructure without permission. She said removals are currently restricted to cases involving immediate safety risks, offensive content or hazards caused by deterioration, but added the authority intends to continue removing unauthorised attachments over the coming year.
Priority for Offensive Content
Flags or other displays featuring offensive or abusive messages will continue to be treated as a priority and are normally removed within 24 hours. A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: 'A defined set of criteria is used to assess offensive content, including offensive language, hate statements, or insulting or inciting messaging.' National flags, including the St George's Cross, are not considered offensive under the policy.
