Portsmouth City Council is aware of unauthorised St George’s Cross paintings across the city, including on the historic Guildhall, a Grade II listed building.

The Guildhall is a civic and cultural landmark of great importance to the city and its residents. Damaging it is upsetting, unlawful and costly to repair. Although the painting has been removed there is still visible damage.

Additionally, symbols have been painted on roads and roundabouts, which do not comply with national road marking standards which the council has a legal duty to uphold, therefore, any non-standard road markings will be removed to keep road markings compliant.

As a council, our buildings that have flagpoles fly the Union Flag, we do not let other people hang flags on our buildings. No action is currently being taken to remove flags hanging from lamp posts or other public infrastructure if they are not causing a hazard.

Residents are free to hang flags responsibly on their own property. Guidance on flying flags legally is available on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flying-flags-a-plain-english-guide/flying-flags-a-plain-english-guide.