Bexley Council is allowing St George’s flags to be flown across the borough this World Cup season, unless they pose a health and safety risk.
The council began flying the St George’s flag on Wednesday (June 17), in line with England’s first World Cup match, as part of a borough-wide display of support.
The Civic Office flag will change around Armed Forces Day, before the St George’s flag is reintroduced shortly after the Civic Parade on June 28.
Council leader David Leaf said: "We’re getting behind the England team by flying the St George’s Flag on our borough’s flag poles.
"Football should bring people together, and I hope we’ll be celebrating England scoring goals and winning matches in sports clubs, pubs and homes across Bexley this summer."
Alongside its official displays, the council said flags on buildings and lampposts will remain in place unless they are considered a health and safety risk.
The approach follows a national online movement known as Operation Raise the Colours at the start of last autumn, which saw flags put up on lampposts, buildings, and roundabouts across parts of England.
This prompted a response from several authorities.
Bexley has taken a more tolerant approach than some other authorities, with flags allowed to remain unless safety concerns are identified.
The council carries out ongoing monitoring and risk assessments.
A Bexley Council spokesperson previously said: "We are removing flags where they are deemed a health and safety risk, and we are continually monitoring the situation, carrying out risk assessments on an ongoing basis."
At the end of August, flags displayed along the A2 in Bexley were removed by Transport for London due to safety concerns.
The issue sits within a wider national debate over the display of national flags in public spaces, with supporters viewing them as expressions of patriotism, while others have raised concerns about tensions linked to their visibility during politically sensitive periods.
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