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An Open Letter to Sheffield City Council: Operation Raise the Colours and Neighbourhood Intimidation

Dear Members of Sheffield City Council and Sheffield MPs,

We are writing as concerned residents of Sheffield to demand urgent action regarding the flags that continue to appear on lampposts across Parson Cross, Southey, and other areas. These flags are part of a coordinated campaign of intimidation and anti-immigrant hate. They are illegal, and allowing them to remain is an abandonment of public space and a toleration of harassment.

The Council has acknowledged that Operation Raise the Colours has been discussed internally. Yet, it has refused to instruct its contractor, Amey, to remove the flags, citing concerns for staff safety. This reasoning is unacceptable. Sheffield has previously enforced highly unpopular policies when it chose to do so. During the Streets Ahead tree-felling programme, Amey was provided with full police support and security to continue work despite public protests. An independent report commissioned by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed that the programme could not have proceeded without this protection.

If security can be provided to cut down trees in an unpopular programme, the same can and must be provided to protect residents from intimidation and harassment. There is no justification for the stark difference in approach.

These flags act as territorial markers. They signal ownership of space and make non-white residents feel unsafe and unwelcome in their own communities. Explicit threats of violence toward residents attempting to remove flags have been reported many times.
 
Across England, councils take unauthorised flag attachment seriously:

  • Braintree, Essex: By law, hanging a flag on a lamppost without permission carries fines up to £3,000. Enforcement began immediately when flags were discovered.

  • North Northamptonshire Council: Released a statement that flags or markings on street lighting columns are unauthorised and removed if they present a risk. Removal was subsequently carried out.

  • Luton Borough Council: Released a statement that attaching flags to lampposts is unlawful under the Highways Act 1980 and will be removed when reported. Removal was subsequently carried out.

  • Medway: Hundreds of illegally erected flags were removed after being confirmed to breach highways law.

  • Scarborough: A local businessman was fined nearly £3,000 for raising unauthorised flags.

Sheffield’s inaction stands in stark contrast. Footage shows individuals installing flags in daylight, even near police stations, yet no enforcement or legal consequences have followed. Those responsible are easily identifiable, yet they continue without repercussions.
 
Organised activity linked to this campaign is visible on the publicly accessible Sheffield Raise The Colours Facebook page. Posts on that page show individuals raising flags on lampposts and other public street furniture, which we believe constitutes a criminal offence under the Highways Act 1980. The same posts also solicit donations in exchange for carrying out this unauthorised activity, which we believe may amount to a separate criminal offence. The page further contains hostile commentary directed at members of the public who oppose these actions. The individuals responsible are easily identifiable, and a full list can be provided to the Council or police if required.

We understand that threats of violence towards residents have also appeared in various social media discussions outside of the above mentioned group. Evidence of these posts has been recorded and can be provided if required, particularly in the event that this material is later removed or made private.

The Council cannot claim that removal is too risky for contractors while ordinary residents are left to navigate public space under threat. Lampposts and street furniture are city property. They are not stages for political intimidation. Permitting flags to remain sends a clear message that organised hate groups can appropriate civic space without consequence.

Arguments that flags would simply be replaced or that enforcement is disproportionate are unconvincing. Repetition has never prevented enforcement when the Council chooses to act. The question is not whether tension exists. The question is whether Sheffield City Council will assert control over its infrastructure and protect residents from documented harassment.

We demand that Sheffield City Council:

  1. Provide a clear and immediate timeline for the removal of all flags associated with Operation Raise the Colours.

  2. Commit to continuous monitoring of public areas so that any new flags are removed promptly.

  3. Investigate and hold accountable the individuals responsible for erecting these flags and the individuals responsible for harrassing and assaulting members of the public who challenge them, using all available legal measures including fines under the Highways Act and local bylaws.

The Council has already demonstrated it can act safely and decisively. There is no reason to fail residents now. Public lampposts and street furniture belong to the city, not to 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.

We urge the Council to act immediately. Every day that flags remain is another day residents are threatened and excluded from their communities.

Yours sincerely,
Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism


 References

  1. Policing Sheffield Trees Protests report, South Yorkshire PCC, 2018: https://southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/app/uploads/2018/10/Policing-Sheffield-Trees-Protests.pdf

  2. Braintree introduces fines for unauthorised fly-flagging: https://www.eastangliagazette.com/breaking-news/braintree-introduces-fines-for-unauthorised-fly-flagging-from-lampposts/

  3. North Northamptonshire Council on street lighting attachments and flags: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/roads-and-paths/street-lighting-attachments-and-flags

  4. Luton Borough Council statement on flags on lampposts: https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/news/Pages/Council-Statement-on-flags-on-lampposts.aspx

  5. Medway Council removes illegally erected flags (official statement): https://www.medway.gov.uk/news/article/1986/statement_on_removal_of_illegally_erected_flags_in_medway

  6. Local businessman fined for raising flags in Scarborough: https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/scarborough-businessman-disgusted-after-receiving-ps3k-bill-for-flying-flags-from-lampposts-5607702

 

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