Birmingham City Council has applied for a court injunction to stop unauthorised British and St George’s flags being attached to lampposts and other highway infrastructure. It says the action is intended to protect public safety, staff and contractors, community cohesion and public funds, after workers removing flags reportedly faced harassment and intimidation.

If granted, the injunction could expose people who put up such flags near roads without permission to unlimited fines or up to two years’ imprisonment. The application names an organiser linked to the Raise the Colours campaign, alongside others and “persons unknown”; the campaign has said it was not consulted beforehand. The dispute follows similar legal action in Oxfordshire and a wider argument over whether the displays represent patriotism or can be perceived as intimidating or nationalist.