Shropshire council staff met with rising ‘abuse and intimidation’ over removal of flags

Authority says workers and councillors ‘threatened for explaining the council’s position’ as union jack and St George’s flags taken down

Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said.

Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the council’s position” on the removal of flags and when they attempt to do so – “even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting”, the authority added.