{"id":418458,"date":"2025-09-12T12:41:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T12:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/418458\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T12:41:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T12:41:22","slug":"union-flags-flying-from-lampposts-around-greater-manchester-police-hq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/418458\/","title":{"rendered":"Union flags flying from lampposts around Greater Manchester Police HQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The council has issued a statement<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_120925flags1.jpg\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Flags on lampposts outside GMP(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Union flags have been attached to lampposts surrounding Greater Manchester Police&#8217;s headquarters in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/newton\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Newton<\/a> Heath.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Images taken by the M.E.N. show flags flying around GMP HQ at Central Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">England flags and Union flags have been appearing on lampposts &#8211; and being painted on roundabouts &#8211; across Greater Manchester in recent weeks in a trend that has been spreading across the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s understood councils are removing flags causing safety concerns, but those that aren&#8217;t are being left in situ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Never miss a story with the MEN&#8217;s daily Catch Up newsletter &#8211; get it in your inbox by signing up <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=b8052254-66af-41f3-9dae-7bbb0e3391c6&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And it appears roads around the police stations that form GMP HQ have also been included in the campaign, which has attracted mixed views and interpretations nationwide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/greater-manchester-police\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Greater Manchester Police<\/a> said it was a matter for the council as to whether the flags would remain up or be taken down.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_120925flags8.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The council has moved to clarify its position(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Manchester City Council confirmed its policy would be applied no matter where flags appear in the council area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Where flags are displayed, providing they do not pose safety concerns, they will be left up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a statement, the council said: &#8220;Manchester is proudly diverse, tolerant and welcoming and we believe that our national flags should be symbols for everyone &#8211; symbols that bring people together and do not divide us.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_120925flags6.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Flags outside GMP(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We want our residents to feel proud of where they live and, as such, where flags are displayed &#8211; provided they pose no safety concerns and haven&#8217;t caused damage &#8211; they will be left in place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WhatsApp<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> group <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/GY77Jy0SeCL8ZFZaNcWsVq\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;At the same time, the Council is responsible for public safety. Any road markings, such as zebra crossings or roundabouts, that have been painted over will be scheduled for cleaning and repair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Road markings must meet legal standards to make sure they are safe and accessible for all road users. And we will take a similar approach to clearing highways infrastructure, such as traffic lights, to make sure our roads are safe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">For the latest stories and breaking news visit <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">manchestereveningnews.co.uk<\/a>. Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/join-free-manchester-evening-news-26647478\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to stay up to date with the latest.Follow us on X <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MENnewsdesk\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\">@mennewsdesk<\/a> for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ManchesterEveningNews\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/greater-manchester-news\/manchester-evening-news-free-app-18109833\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object]Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,<\/a> and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you&#8217;ll be the first to hear about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The council has issued a statementFlags on lampposts outside GMP(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) Union flags&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":418459,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[748,393,4884,187,2465,8828,11637,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-418458","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-greater-manchester-police","12":"tag-manchester","13":"tag-manchester-council","14":"tag-newton-heath","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115191381078472670","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=418458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/418459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=418458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=418458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=418458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}