St George's cross 'intimidating', council says

Following the flying of hundreds of flags across England, red crosses have appeared on some mini-roundabouts in Dorset

Some residents have found the sudden appearance of St George's and union flags 'intimidating", a council has said.

While many people were flying the flag to cheer on the Lionesses during the 2025 Euros, thousands more have appeared in towns and cities in England during August - many attached to lampposts.

Leader of Dorset Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor Nick Ireland, described the movement as an "explosion of patriotism", but also said it was "naive" to suggest the emblems had not been "hijacked" by some far-right groups.

In some instances, the movement has also turned to vandalism, with mini-roundabouts being painted in the colours of the St George's cross.

Groups responsible for putting up the flags have told the BBC they are motivated by pride and patriotism.

But others have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over immigration.

"For me, patriotism means working hard to improve the lives of our communities, holding our institutions to account and making sure we live up to our values," said Councillor Ireland.

He said he encouraged residents to show their pride "the right way", at home and on designated flagpoles.

Dorset council leader Nick Ireland, pictured in 2024, said that the council would not encourage division in its communities

The need to repaint roundabouts was a "regrettable expense that would ultimately fall on taxpayers" and could increase the risk of accidents, Mr Ireland continued.

He said the council's statutory duty meant it had no choice but to repaint them, and that this would mean "less potholes filled".

The fact both flags have been used as emblems for far-right political movements meant some residents had felt "intimidated", Mr Ireland said.

"It would be naive to pretend otherwise that the St George's flag has been co-opted by certain far-right groups to promote their agendas," he continued.

"We will not be encouraging division in our communities."

He added the council celebrated all forms of diversity, but there was "an underlying tension in the campaign that has been hijacked by people whose views, for me, are completely unacceptable".

Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary for Stand up to Racism, questioned the motivation behind the movement.

"It's being encouraged by far-right groups and it's designed to make refugees, immigrants and people who were born here but have family from a different country, feel unwelcome," she said.