Flags put up and neighbours clash in Norwich
Union Jacks and St George flags have been put up along long stretches of Dereham Road
Last updated 10th Sep 2025
Dozens of flags have been erected on lampposts across a large area of Norwich overnight, sparking police call-outs and clashes with neighbours.
Union Jacks and St George flags have been put up along long stretches of Dereham Road, as well as nearby parts of the inner ring road at Grapes Hill, Barn Road and Barrack Street.
Footage shared online shows people using a large ladder to erect the banners, which were connected to the lampposts about 15ft high.
The group of about 20 to 30 people were heard shouting and chanting between 7pm and 10pm on Tuesday night, with loud motorbikes revving engines and passing cars beeping their horns in support.
Some of the flags were put up outside Norwich Central Mosque, on Dereham Road, in what neighbours have claimed was an “act of intimidation”.
Locals called the police to report the activity.
A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said officers were sent to Dereham Road on two occasions to respond to reports of “group of people shouting and behaving aggressively”.
However, officers took no action and the group wasallowed to continue further down the street towards the inner ring road, continuing to chant and erect more flags.
In videos shared by the group putting up the flags, neighbours can be seen being shouted at as they went out their front doors to investigate the commotion.
Racist language can also be heard being used by members of the group, as well as shouts of “whose streets, our streets”, “Keir Starmer is a w****r” and “you can’t trust a leftie with your kid”.
Growing numbers of national flags have been appearing across the region and nationally in recent weeks, dividing opinion.
Some view these unofficial displays as a patriotic gesture, while others regard them as a challenge to the presence of asylum seekers and immigrants.
That divide was reflected among locals in the Dereham Road area.
One said: “I’m not bothered by the flag itself, but I don’t really like people climbing lampposts at night and chanting.”
Another said: “There’s no bad blood around around here. I don’t feel intimidated by the flags.”
However, others have criticised the actions of the group and accused them of trying to antagonise people visiting the mosque for evening prayers.
Maddy, who lives close by on Dereham Road, said: “It doesn’t feel great and feels like there were racist undertones to it.
“A friend who is brown was visiting at the time it happened and they felt like they didn’t want to leave.”
Another neighbour, Will, said: “There was an awful lot of noise and police came. It seemed like they were trying to antagonise people inside the mosque.
“We never have any trouble here, the only commotion I have known was last night.”
Charlotte Peden, who lives on an adjoining street, said: “It seemed like they were trying to cause a fight outside. Police seemed to do nothing and didn’t stop them putting flags up.”
In response, neighbours put up bunting along the road, saying “all welcome” but this had been removed by the morning.
Chesney Jefferson, 37, said: “There is nothing wrong or vulgar about the flags of our nation but when they are used as a tool for othering, I find that really saddening.”
Liam Clavert, independent councillor for Wensum ward, said: “People are telling me they feel this is intended to intimidate their friends and neighbours.
“It has been amazing to see the community rally around the local residents they love.”
A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said: “Officers attended and found no offences had been committed.”