“A flagger, in my opinion, is someone attempting to revive a sense of British pride,” remarks Billy Cooper, a roofer hailing from south-west London.

At 38 years old and originally from Carshalton, Cooper is involved with a team of 30 individuals who have taken to adorning lampposts in the Sutton borough with Union flags.

“It’s the flag of our nation, a banner that symbolizes our unity, and no one should feel embarrassed about it,” he asserts. “Being British isn’t something to shun; we ought to take pride in our identity.”

Cooper mentioned that the initiative to display flags in Sutton came after witnessing similar actions on social media in other regions.

“Since we began our efforts, numerous individuals have approached to offer us donations; we’ve received cheers from various community members—not just those of white British descent, but from diverse backgrounds,” he noted.

“We’re transparent about what we’re doing; there’s no masking our faces or shouting. We’re out in the open, in plain sight.”

Union flags and St George’s banners have been surfacing in neighborhoods nationwide, sparking mixed reactions.

Some interpret these grassroots displays as a sign of patriotism, while others see them as a rebuttal to the presence of asylum seekers and individuals who weren’t born in the UK.

In Sutton, the local council has stated that the flag represents civic pride and community cohesion, asserting that the national flag will continue to be displayed on public buildings, while unauthorized flags will be taken down.

Hannah White, affiliated with The Sound Lounge, a music venue in Sutton, recounted an unwelcoming encounter when she approached a different group of men, masked and equipped with ladders, poised to attach a Union flag to a lamppost on August 29.

“They were yelling at me, asking, ‘What country do you come from? What country is this?’,” she shared.

“I went to bed feeling disheartened. My husband is of mixed race and has faced some challenging moments.

“I don’t wish to harbor anger against those who feel the need to celebrate their flag. The question is how we can honor everyone?

“How can we ensure everyone feels safe and included without silencing those who want to raise a Union flag? Their feelings are valid and important as well.”

Ms. White mentioned she posted about her experience on Facebook and encouraged locals to bring flags representing various nations and meanings to her venue.

Consequently, she and Mr. Cooper exchanged friendly messages and plan to meet for a drink to discuss their perspectives.

In another part of Sutton, the white mini roundabouts have been painted with red crosses to imitate the pattern of the St George’s cross.

Cooper explained, “Flags, particularly the English flag, have unfortunately been misused over the years.

“In our multicultural society today, many individuals might take offense if they perceive the flags as carrying a negative connotation.”

He added, “Regrettably, with any movement, undesirable elements may arise. We can’t manage the masses; we can only take charge of our own actions and those of our group.”

Identifying himself as pro-British but not right-wing, Mr. Cooper stated, “I feel let down by the state of our country; many people are anxious about our circumstances and feel unheard.

“There’s considerable propaganda. While I’m generally tolerant, I find it unacceptable when I believe individuals come here to take advantage.

“It’s not racist to take pride in being British and to protect our homeland.”

Luke Taylor, MP for Sutton and Cheam, emphasized the importance of maintaining “safe and clear” public spaces.

“I think the council will need to remove the flags, but there’s potential to explore where we might place more flags in the community, should there be a demand,” he said.

“The council has community funding available. Sutton has a strong history of collaborating with community organizations to find ways to establish permanent and appropriate displays of our national symbols.”

Mr. Cooper noted that the “flaggers” are a “community-driven initiative.”

“We have little faith in councils, as they rarely listen to us,” he remarked.

“These are diligent local business owners supporting this cause; it’s not just me footing the bill, it’s a collective effort from the community.

“A request to the councils would likely go unheard.”

On Sutton High Street, one woman expressed her unease regarding the flags’ implications.

“Suddenly, there’s a surge of patriotism,” she said. “There’s so much misinformation regarding refugees and their living conditions.

“Of course, it’s fine to display flags, but if the motivation aligns with a racist agenda, I cannot support that.

“If it’s purely about supporting our nation and expressing pride in Britain, that’s acceptable. However, the current sentiment seems misaligned.”

Another woman conveyed her approval of the flags: “I’m glad they have done it. This is Britain; we are British and wish to maintain that identity.

“Nothing seems to cater to us, the British community. It feels as though foreigners are being prioritized and seeking to change our laws. If you don’t like our rules, go back.

“We British take pride in our country, but it feels like we’re losing it. Am I being inappropriate? I don’t care.”

A man remarked on the flags placed along his road.

“They look good and are spread throughout the borough,” he mentioned. “Naturally, some may feel threatened by them.

“It’s about the wrong motivations; it relates to the people arriving by boat. They claim to champion patriotism, but it’s not solely about that.”

Another woman articulated that the flags reflect her concerns about how Sutton has transformed over the years.

“It’s disconcerting,” she said. “It’s cramped, it’s become dirty, there are buildings everywhere; it used to be different.

“We all coexisted happily, but the situation surrounding asylum seekers has sparked anger among people.”

A representative from Sutton Council affirmed that the borough is a “friendly, diverse, welcoming community, where individuals support each other and their local environment.”

“While people can display flags on their own properties or businesses, permission is required for public lands to prevent issues like trespassing or vandalism,” they stated.

“Sutton will rightfully continue to display the national flag on public buildings with pride.

“However, unauthorized flags will be removed due to these concerns, as in some instances, they might pose health and safety risks.”

Additional reporting by Jess Warren, BBC News.