Police accused of removing flag were fitting CCTV

Cumbria Police said it had not removed the flag but officers were installing CCTV

Police officers accused of removing a union jack flag have said they were actually installing a security camera to protect a local church from vandalism.

A picture circulated on social media showed Cumbria Police officers in Barrow operating a cherry-picker beside a lamppost with a flag attached.

A comment accompanying the picture accused the force of neglecting its policing duties in favour of removing flags.

But in a post of its own the force said its officers had been installing security equipment in an effort to deter vandals and "no flags were harmed during the CCTV installation".

The original post, published on X on Thursday, has been viewed 1.1 million times and has amassed 1,000 comments.

It was accompanied by the message: "No time to investigate car crime or burglaries though..."

Cumbria Police responded on Friday in an effort to curb the "misinformation" being spread.

"We're aware of some online rumours, to clarify, no flags were harmed during the CCTV installation," it said on X.

"The photo shows officers fitting a camera at a local church after vandalism reports. The flag stayed put.

"Please share to help stop misinformation and keep the facts flying high."

Meanwhile, people online have noted the flag has been hung on the lamppost upside down.

Union jack and St George's cross flags have been appearing in towns across the country as part of an online movement called Operation Raise the Colours.