A grassroots group has called on Sheffield City Council and MPs to take action on illegal flags appearing on lampposts.
Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism (SCARF) sent a letter to the council claiming that not taking action is “an abandonment of public space and a toleration of harassment”.
In the letter to the Council, which has been published on social media, SCARF said the council has no reason to fail residents.
It said: “Public lampposts and street furniture belong to the city, not to the groups who seek to intimidate and exclude. Residents deserve to walk freely in their communities without fear, and Sheffield City Council has a duty to ensure that this right is upheld.”
Andrew Scarsdale is a member of SCARF.
He told ShefNews: “The council’s not standing up for the people who elected them, and taking [the flags] down.
“The flags are essentially an imposition by a small group of people that’s intended as a territorial claim and it’s intended to intimidate and antagonise.”
Across the country last summer, St George’s Cross and Union Jacks started appearing on lampposts as part of “Operation Raise the Colours”. Some people support the flags as a symbol of national pride while others say they represent anti-immigration sentiments.
SCARF noted that other councils like Exeter and Scarborough have acted on the flags by issuing fines.
Sheffield City Council has been contacted for a comment.
SCARF formed in 2024 as an ad hoc group in response to race riots and far-right violence following the Southport killings.
It contests far-right activities through various means, including physical presence on the streets.
The organisation claims neither the Council nor its highways maintenance contractor Amey has taken action to remove flags that have been placed on lampposts across the city.
SCARF state in the letter that Amey is not involved due to staff safety concerns – they called this “unreasonable.”
They argued that Amey was “provided with full police support and security” during protests against the Streets Ahead tree-felling protests.
Scarsdale said these flags are not a sign of patriotism.
He said: “I’m not concerned about patriotism in and of itself… but these flags aren’t that. They’re a very toxic malign manifestation of, nationalism, xenophobia. This is what these flags mean and kind of everybody knows that and that’s the point.”
A video circulating online this week apparently showing a confrontation outside Chaucer School between staff and a group of men putting up a flag has sparked online discussions over safety and public disturbance.
Chaucer School has been contacted for a comment.
Raise the Colours Sheffield, the group who posted the video, use GoFundMe to fundraise to put up flags for a fee. The fundraiser has raised over £1,000 and aims to “bring our community closer and the pride of our country stronger.”
The business charges £10 to display two 3ft x 5ft on council-owned infrastructure.
Raise the Colours Sheffield announced a protest on the 4 April in Sheffield City Centre.