Braintree in Essex has passed a new bylaw that moves hanging a flag from a lamp post or other similar installation without permission as punishable by fines of up to £3,000.
The crime is being described as “fly-flagging”.
A statement from the Facebook page of the Mayor of Braintree said “Fly-flagging is now treated similarly to fly-tipping, as the flags – often of poor quality and made overseas – rapidly disintegrate, tangle around branches or posts, and generally look untidy.
“We are having to maintain or remove old flags at great expense to the taxpayer, so this new law will hopefully deter would-be fly-flaggers.”
In the morning of December 8th, the first people to be punished under this rule were apprehended.
The Mayor’s post explained “In the early hours, officers caught two men in the act of scaling a lamppost.
“They were dressed all in black and in possession of 23 flags, cable ties, and a crudely drawn diagram of how to safely attach a flag to a telegraph pole.
“After their property was seized as evidence, they were issued with on-the-spot fines of £76 each.”
The hope is that this move will result in an atmosphere of deterrence against future violations.
The Mayor said “I hope this sends a clear message to any other overly enthusiastic fly-flaggers. We must ensure our roads are safe and well-maintained, and we will not hesitate to take further action.”
Many commenters on the page welcomed the decision. Such sentiments included the following.
“Good. It’s vandalism and in breach of the Highway Code, period. Fly flags on your own houses people.”
“Well done Braintree council at last some one is using a bit of common sense”
“Having cheap flags zip tied to lampposts is not only an eyesore and a potential hazard but also an affront to our actual flag and what it stands for. It’s disrespectful to our flag to fly it in that manner.”
