Raise the Colours Founder Ryan Bridge Arrested in Racially-Aggravated Offences Investigation
Ryan Bridge, the 44-year-old figurehead behind the flag-waving group Raise the Colours, has been arrested on suspicion of racially and religiously aggravated offences, it was revealed today. The arrest occurred in Oxfordshire on Tuesday, as part of a Thames Valley Police investigation into public order incidents in Oxford.
Details of the Arrest and Police Investigation
Bridge, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, was detained on suspicion of causing racially and religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest in a statement, noting that officers are probing reports of public order offences on Abingdon Road in Oxford. The force emphasised that where criminal offences are identified, appropriate and proportionate action will be taken against offenders.
Footage of the arrest was shared online by Raise the Colours, showing Bridge pressed against a police van. In the video, he is heard telling officers, "No-one's resisting. Stop pushing me," and asking what he had done wrong. He has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Background on Raise the Colours and Community Impact
Bridge co-founded Raise the Colours with Elliott Stanley, claiming patriotic motivations to adorn lampposts across the country with St George and Union flags. However, the group's activities have sparked controversy, leading Oxfordshire County Council to issue a formal legal notice banning them from placing flags across the county.
Council leader Liz Leffman condemned the group's actions, stating that the widespread installation of flags is not a sign of patriotism but an act of intimidation and division. She highlighted that residents have reported feeling distressed, unwelcome, and unsafe in their neighbourhoods, with council teams and residents facing abuse and threatening behaviour when removing flags.
Official Statements and Legal Actions
In response to the ongoing issues, Oxfordshire County Council has taken firm action to protect community cohesion. Leffman emphasised the council's responsibility to act where behaviour undermines the safe and inclusive use of public spaces, noting that Oxfordshire is proud of its diverse communities and holds Local Authority of Sanctuary status.
The police have urged anyone with relevant video footage not to share it on social media but to report it directly to them to aid the investigation. This arrest marks a significant development in the scrutiny of Raise the Colours' activities, which have increasingly drawn legal and public backlash for their impact on local communities.
