More National Flags Spotted in Bellfields

Published on: 5 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 7 Sep, 2025

National Flags flying on Stoughton Road, Bellfields

By Martin Giles

More national flags have been spotted in Guildford Borough, this time by a Dragon reader who was concerned that they might be intimidating and give the impression that Guildford is unwelcoming to refugees.

The flags were flying in Stoughton Road, Bellfields, on Wednesday (September 3).

The Dragon asked Surrey Police and GBC what the law and policy is on flags like these, whether any action is planned and what those with concerns should do?

Surrey Police said that their approach followed the that explained by the National Police Chiefs’ Council ie: “Any incident reported to police will be considered individually, with each report likely to have its own circumstances, motivation, impact and level of damage caused.

“As with all matters, policing continues to take an impartial approach and we must balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to tackle crime and enforce the law.

“Any incidents involving flags being attached to or flown from structures that are publicly owned will generally be referred to the local authority for them to assess and respond appropriately, unless there are other associated criminal offences.”

A spokesperson for GBC added: “Flags attached to lampposts on the public highway are the responsibility of Surrey County Council as the Highway Authority. They have issued a statement on items attached to lampposts and paintings on road markings on their website.”

The SCC statement reads: “We recognise the importance of the Union flag and flag of St George as symbols of national pride, and we proudly fly the Union flag from our council headquarters in Reigate.

“Items attached to lampposts must legally be approved by Surrey County Council. Unauthorised items attached to lampposts, or paintings on road markings can pose a risk to both drivers and pedestrians so it is our standard procedure to remove them.

“These are removed during our normal, routine inspections of the highway network in line with our Code of practice (PDF). Items that pose a risk to public safety will be prioritised for removal.”

The GBC statement continued: “You can find the official government guidance on flying flags on the government website.

“If you believe a criminal offence has been committed, you should report to Surrey Police by using their online reporting form or phoning 101. If someone is in immediate danger, they should call 999 immediately.”

Responses to More National Flags Spotted in Bellfields

John Lomas Reply

September 6, 2025 at 7:53 am

Whoever put up that Union Flag has no knowledge of the correct way to fly it.
Angela Richardson Reply

September 6, 2025 at 8:09 am

Refugees, by the definition, are asylum seekers who have had their claim accepted and this country is now their new home.

All immigrants, including me, do so much better in their new homes if they not only integrate but more importantly assimilate into the majority culture.

Flags are a symbol of pride.

Placement of flags aside, this should not be turned this into yet another example of the majority having to mute themselves to not upset another group. Have we not learned from other recent lessons?

The people of Bellfields deserve nothing less than to be proud of their country as well as their community.

Guildford has always been a welcoming place. Put up the bunting. Just read the by-laws first.

Angela Richardson is the former Conservative MP for Guildford.
M Durant Reply

September 8, 2025 at 12:30 am

St George’s flags have been painted on the ground and on on lampposts on Cabell Road, Barnwood Road, in Park Barn, the perfect way to lower house prices in the area. The council might want to do a clean up around Park Barn, plenty of antisocial behaviour as well to deal with.
Sara Tokunaga Reply

September 8, 2025 at 9:06 am

Whoever the person was who felt our national flag is intimidating should be ashamed of him/herself.

Why are we not allowed to display our pride in our nation? We have national teams playing a variety of sports at the moment. Flying our flag is the major way to display our support for their efforts. We need to increase our pride in our nation, not suppress it in case we hurt somebody’s feelings.
Mike Smith Reply

September 8, 2025 at 8:37 pm

If a refugee feels intimidated by the flag of the nation he’s seeking refuge in one might ask whether he might be better off elsewhere?
- David Roberts Reply
  
  September 11, 2025 at 12:56 pm
  
  Well, that’s what the flags are meant to achieve. And that’s why it’s wrong to splash them about in this chaotic and performative way.
  
  It is dishonest to claim that this summer’s outbreak of flag-waving is just spontaneous burst of patriotism, when it has clearly been deliberately whipped up as a provocation by certain political groups for nasty purposes.
  
  It is also disingenuous for Ms Richardson to suggest that concern about this is “yet another example” of the majority population, who enjoy such overwhelming social and economic advantages, being somehow persecuted.
  
  Yes, migrants should do their best to integrate (hardly a problem for a New Zealander like her). But we non-migrants also have to adapt. Compromise instead of culture wars. Migration is a major global trend and is only going to affect us more and more.
  - Jim Allen Reply
    
    September 12, 2025 at 9:29 am
    
    And therein lies the problem, with Mr Roberts’ comment.
    
    Every country in the world can fly their flag in their own country but the British flags are “intimidation”, “dishonest” and there to whip up and nasty feelings.
    
    But I bet the Palestine, EU and Rainbow flags are acceptable.
    - David Roberts Reply
      
      September 12, 2025 at 7:20 pm
      
      I did not say British flags are intimidating or dishonest. I said the abuse of them is. Any flag can be abused, and ours are currently being abused.
      
      Let’s please stop all this fake victimhood about being white and British. It’s just an excuse to denigrate migrants who pose no threat whatever to a robust national culture like ours, or to the huge advantages in income and belonging that non-migrants enjoy. Charity and tolerance used to be British values and are undermined by xenophobia and racism.
      
      To quote Google AI: “The phrase “patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel” was a quote by Samuel Johnson in 1775, meaning that people who claim patriotism can be using it as a false excuse for their self-serving or dishonest actions, especially in politics. While often used to criticise false or superficial patriotism, the quote also highlights a broader concern about the potential for nationalism to appeal to a country’s citizens to the point of obscuring universal moral principles.”
      - Jim Allen
        
        September 14, 2025 at 10:11 pm
        
        So when would Mr Roberts accept our national flag being flown? Why does he want to prevent its use other than to match his, I assume, left-wing ideals. Is he frightened the “just right” have been proven right? It’s our country’s flag not his, nor mine
        
        His use of derogatory adjectives to accuse people loyal to our country is the reason why we have our current problems. Calling people names and presuming racism and hatred of everything foreign is displaying an arrogance also seen in some mainstream media reporting and current political diatribes.
  - Ben Paton Reply
    
    September 14, 2025 at 4:09 pm
    
    The Peelian Principles are, it seems, “re-Peeled”. To put up the national flag is indeed a nasty act.
    
    Editor’s note: The nine “Peelian” principles as defined by Sir Robert Peel founder of teh Metropolitan Police are:
    
    Prevent Crime and Disorder: The core mission is to prevent crime and disorder as an alternative to military force or legal severity.
    Public Approval: The power of the police is dependent on public approval and must be maintained to fulfill their duties.
    Public Cooperation: Public approval is essential for securing cooperation in observing the law.
    Use of Force: The extent of public cooperation diminishes the necessity of physical force.
    Impartiality and Respect: The police must show respect and empathy by being fair and impartial.
    Enforcing the Law: The power of the police should be used to enforce the law without bias.
    Professionalism and Integrity: Officers must act with fairness, integrity, diligence, and impartiality.
    Community Connection: The police exist to serve the public and must be a reflection of the community’s values.
    Test of Efficiency: The ultimate measure of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action.