More than 400 St George’s flags were taken down in Sutton in just one year.
Your Local Guardian submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Sutton Council to find out how many flags were removed by the council or its contractors between May 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026.
The data covers a period in which a wave of flag-raising took place across parts of the borough as part of the national Operation Raise the Colours movement, which encouraged the display of flags on lamp posts, buildings and roundabouts.
Sutton Central, Beddington and St Helier East were among the areas where removals were recorded, with a total of 430 taken away in the time period.
The council confirmed that action was taken under Section 132 of the Highways Act, which allows items on public highways or infrastructure to be removed where they may present health and safety risks.
It said there is no specific flag removal policy, but that unauthorised displays on council-owned property are taken down if they are unsafe or installed without permission.
In a previous statement, Sutton Council said it acted following a surge in flag-raising linked to the Operation Raise the Colours campaign.
It said residents are free to display flags on their own homes and businesses, but permission is required for any installations on public property.
The council also warned that incorrectly attached flags, even if lightweight, can pose safety risks or damage street furniture such as lamp posts.
Cllr Barry Lewis, leader of Sutton Council, previously said in September: "It’s great that so many people want to celebrate Sutton and our country, but unauthorised flags will have to come down if they are causing safety risks or concerns for residents.
"People are free to fly flags on their own homes or businesses, but of course they need permission when it comes to someone else’s property or public property."
The council has said official Union Flags will continue to fly on civic buildings and designated flagpoles as a symbol of unity and civic pride.
The issue sits within a wider national debate over the display of national flags in public spaces, with supporters describing them as expressions of patriotism, while critics have raised concerns about tensions around how such symbols are used in shared spaces.
With the World Cup season underway, Sutton Council was approached for an updated comment on its flag removal policy.
The council did not respond by the time of publication.
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