Herts County Council Removing 'Operation Raise the Colours' Flags

Since mid-August, St George’s and Union Jack flags have been attached to Highways property in various areas in and around Watford as part of a campaign sometimes referred to as ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.

Initially, the county council highlighted a "longstanding" policy that unapproved items be removed from street fixtures. 

It added this would be done when highways teams "are next in the area” as part of their day-to-day work, while supporting the right of individuals and organisations to fly flags on their own property as the council does itself.

 
However, an internal update sent from Highways to council members today (September 30) explained why this was temporarily paused.

A link to the fault reporting system, which can be used to make any requests for flag removal, was also shared.

 Flags above the A41 in North Watford(Image: Stephen Danzig)

“Sadly, when our crews began to take flags down earlier in the month, there were instances of abuse and threatening behaviour by some members of the public,” the memo said.

“It is completely unacceptable that our frontline workers were subjected to this sort of behaviour for simply doing their jobs, and we paused further removal of flags, while we considered the best, most efficient and safest way of doing it.

It continued: “Last week, following further discussions we started removing flags again, and crews will continue to carry on with this as they go about their work on our highways network.

“This work will be carried out in a way that is proportionate, avoids unnecessary escalation, and focuses on safety-led operational decisions.

“It goes without saying that we will not tolerate any abuse directed towards our frontline colleagues.”

 
[Editors Note:  What a lot of frumpy, unpatriotic liberal leftards that wish to remove the flags.]