FLAGS put up across Chard could be removed after the council said they were "unauthorised" and "unlawful".
St George's Cross flags have appeared on lampposts across the town, from near the A30 up along Fore Street, and into the town centre.
These flags have been erected amid an increase in protests against two-tiered policing and illegal immigration in both Taunton and Yeovil.
They could have been put up in support of the online movement called 'Operation Raise The Colours', which was popular in 2025.
However, Chard Town Council has stated that the flags were not put up by its staff and were not funded by the council.
The council confirmed the flags were placed on Somerset Council street furniture, including lampposts, without permission.
The town council has notified Somerset Council, which is responsible for the highway, so the flags can be safely removed.
A spokesperson for Chard Town Council said: "You may have seen that St George’s Cross flags have been put on posts in town.
“Those flags have not been put there by the Town Council, not with Town Council funding, not by Town Council staff and not with Town Council permission.
“The flags have been put on Somerset Council highway street furniture (eg lampposts), so the Town Council has informed Somerset Council as Highway Authority for its awareness and its decision to safely remove.”
Read more
Chard man poured boiling water over woman in 'sadistic, cruel' attack
Ilminster driver banned after being caught drink-driving in Tesco car park
Chard man disqualified and fined for drink-driving without insurance
Somerset Council said, after being approached for comment, that many residents do not support such unauthorised public displays and that doing so is unlawful.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "Anyone who wants to fly a flag from their own property is welcome to do so, but it's important to remember that many residents do not support these unauthorised public displays.
"If we want Somerset to remain a welcoming and vibrant place, then we need to ensure flags are used to foster belonging, not division.
"We have been clear that we do not allow any flags to be attached to public property - doing so may put the public or council staff at risk.
"Attaching any item, including flags, to a light column on highway land without the express permission of the highway authority is unlawful under the Highways Act."
Share