Sheffield Council will resume removing flags from lamp-posts after stopping when staff were abused

Sheffield Council will once again remove flags from lamp-posts after halting for safety reasons when staff were abused and intimidated.

Resident Paul Wimpeney questioned Sheffield City Council’s policy during its meeting on Wednesday (June 24).

Sheffield City Council has said it will resume taking down flags from lampposts after their routine removal was stopped when staff were abused and intimidated. Picture: LDRS

placeholder image — Sheffield City Council has said it will resume taking down flags from lampposts after their routine removal was stopped when staff were abused and intimidated. Picture: LDRS

He said Sheffield was the first British City of Sanctuary, the first British city to become an apartheid-free zone in opposition to South Africa and the council has reaffirmed its status as an anti-racist city.

Mr Wimpeney said: “Why then, in some parts of the city, are ostentatious displays of the Union Jack being used by those wishing to create division between people, suggesting to some communities that they are not welcome?

“Recent experiences in parts of Northern Ireland reveal what can hide behind the belligerent display of the union flag i.e. the desire to isolate, intimidate and drive out people with a different skin tone or ethnic background.

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“Lamp-posts are council property. Nothing should be attached to them that contradicts the policy and nature of the city.

“When will the council remove these flags, thereby showing local people that all are welcome and equal in a City of Sanctuary?”

Illegal

Council leader Coun Fran Belbin replied that it is illegal under the Highways Act to attach items without permission.

“Following incidents in late 2025 where contractors experienced verbal abuse and intimidation during removal activity, routine removals were paused due to staff safety concerns,” she said.

“At present, removals are limited to situations where there is an immediate public safety risk, where items meet the council’s criteria for offensive content, or where deterioration is creating a hazard.”

Coun Belbin said that flags with no overtly offensive message or images will be removed during planned maintenance works.

Offensive flags are removed within 24 hours when safe to do so.

Intention

Coun Belbin said that the council has updated its website to allow people to report unauthorised attachments.

“Over the course of the year, our intention is to continue removing unauthorised attachments in line with this approach, while supporting communities to strengthen belonging, cohesion and inclusion, and to celebrate the city’s diversity through the One Sheffield, Many Communities campaign,” she added.

Sheffield will celebrate the 20th anniversary of becoming a City of Sanctuary in 2027.