Shropshire Council says its staff and elected members are now facing regular abuse, harassment and intimidation from people angry about the removal of unauthorised union jack and St George's flags from lamp-posts and street furniture across the county. Workers sent out on routine jobs like repairing street lighting have reportedly been confronted and threatened simply for being council employees. Something that started as flag-hanging has turned into a law-and-order problem.
According to the Guardian, the council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff "being threatened for explaining the council's position" on the flag removals.
