Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said. Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the council’s position” on the removal of flags and when they attempt to do so – “even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting”, the authority added. The flag campaign , which is believed to have started in Birmingham last summer, has resulted in hundreds of union and St George’s flags being erected on lamp-posts, roundabouts and street furniture across England. Groups involved have said the flags are symbols of pride and patriotism. However, some charities and MPs have raised concerns that the campaign is an act of intimidation and heightens tensions between communities.…