West Midlands Police has come under fire after officers stood by as a group of men put up new St George's Cross flags on a city street with a cherry picker.

Bystanders said the police presence appeared to legitimise the activity of those hanging flags from lampposts in Stirchley , despite rising tensions between those in favour and those against the phenomenon. Stirchley has been a flashpoint.

Officers at the scene were filmed telling onlookers they were simply there to ensure there was no 'breach of the peace'. They said they were not providing an escort.

READ MORE: England flags torn down in Stirchley hours after being put up

But in an angry riposte, some residents said it was an unfathomable use of police time. They asked if those who wanted to remove the flags would be given th

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