Brits face jail and asset seizure for flying St George's Cross as councils spend millions on crackdown

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.

Bristol City Council is weighing up a High Court injunction that would expose residents who attach St George's Cross or Union flags to lamp-posts to penalties of up to two years in prison or unlimited fines. The Green-led council has put £50,000 into flag removal from street furniture so far. Birmingham City Council has gone further, filing for an interim injunction; court papers suggest it could commit as much as £2.6 million to enforce the ban. Breaching such an injunction can carry imprisonment, unlimited fines or asset seizure. Oxfordshire County Council secured a comparable ban earlier and has become the template other councils are following.

Birmingham's council — bankrupt and unable to fund basic services — is prepared to spend £2.6 million going after people who fly England's flag.

Bristol's deputy leader Heather Mack said flags 'can be a source of concern or division' and cited 'potential health and safety concerns'.

Birmingham was reportedly 'too scared' to remove Palestine flags without police protection, yet is now seeking criminal sanctions against those who fly the St George's Cross.