Flag removal costs the taxpayer over £11,000

Councillor Alex Paterson says that any new flags put up in response would also be taken down

A council says it has spent over £11,000 taking down almost 750 St George's and union jack flags.

Those responsible for putting up the flags as part of the Operation Raise the Colours campaign say that its purpose is purely patriotic, but others - including the leadership at Medway Council - believe that it is designed to stoke tensions with minority ethnic communities.

Alex Paterson, the council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, says he believes the outlay to the taxpayer is a worthwhile price to pay.

He told BBC Radio Kent: "It cost us £11,592.50 to take down 727 flags all across Medway. To make the community feel safe again, that is money well spent."

Paterson said in his view this campaign was started by "far right agitators" set on causing "division and intimidation" in the diverse community of Medway.

He said: "I think at this stage the world is divided into people who know exactly why these flags were put up and those who are still pretending they don't know why they were put up."

He said any new flags would also be taken down.

Paterson said: "We are actually gathering the flags that have been taken down, I've been working with community groups in Medway who are keen to turn them into a positive community artwork."