Oxfordshire County Council has deployed security staff to watch for hostile behaviour or harassment aimed at workers who are removing English flags across the area.
The council brought in the security officers after staff tasked with flag removal encountered problems.
As previously reported in late March, Raise the Colours Oxfordshire received formal documentation from the council directing the group to stop attaching flags to publicly owned structures including lampposts.
Should they fail to comply with this instruction, the council has warned it will pursue every available option, including both civil and criminal proceedings against the organisation and relevant individuals, to prevent further unauthorised actions.
City and county councillor Susanna Pressel representing Osney has previously encountered what she described as the group’s intimidation methods when private remarks she made about the organisation were disclosed publicly.
She expressed strong disapproval, stating that whenever Oxfordshire County Council staff remove flags placed illegally on lampposts, they frequently receive threats of violence from individuals associated with Raise the Colours who sometimes pursue workers back to their depot and even to their homes.
Additionally, the council has been compelled to cover the cost of security measures to protect contractors because the police are unwilling to supply the required protection. This situation should not be tolerated.
Thames Valley Police’s chief superintendent Ben Clark indicated in correspondence seen by this publication that meeting the required standard of proof for intimidation by this group presents considerable difficulties.
Mr. Clark explained that concerns have been voiced about intimidation and the behaviour of those involved.
Police intervention may be warranted in particular circumstances, and he has made it clear to officers that enforcement should occur when evidence of an offence exists and when such action is proportionate and necessary.
However, he pointed out that establishing a criminal offence related to intimidation demands meeting a rigorous test, clarifying that someone asserting they felt insulted or frightened by the conduct of participants, irrespective of which side of the campaign they support, does not automatically fulfil the requirements for an offence.
As previously reported, council leader Liz Leffman mentioned that local residents have described experiencing upset, feeling unwanted, and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods as a result of Raise the Colours’ activities.
An Oxfordshire County Council representative commented that the council takes extra protective measures as required to ensure the safety of employees and contractors working on public highways.
This has included deploying security officers during contractor activities to remove flags placed without permission when there is a real risk of confrontation or harassment.
These measures were introduced following incidents where contractors encountered obstacles or intimidation while carrying out their work.