A rumour spread quickly across the Isle of Wight yesterday that Island police were approaching people who were wearing England tops in Newport and asking them to remove them on the basis that wearing them was racist.
A subsequent rumour later circulated about the forced removal of England flags attached to people cars.
VB picked up on this straight away, trying to find out more about this situation.
No police reports
We’ve had quite a few back and forths with Island Police and have just received assurances from them that they cannot find any incidents on the police database that verifies or confirms that anyone has been told to remove their England tops.
Importantly, Island Police say that they don’t see any legal problems with wearing England tops either. In their words …
“Police officers on the Isle of Wight have not been issued with any advice or instructions to take action over the use or display of England football merchandise. Wearing a shirt that carries the England flag is not a criminal offence.”
England flags on cars
Another rumour that zipped around was that Police had asked people to remove England flags from their cars.
On this they say they’re preparing some guidance on the road traffic legislation regarding any type of flag or banner on a vehicle. We hope to get this shortly and will update you when we hear.
Update 17:07: We just heard from the Police clarifying their view on England flags on cars.
They tell us that there are no confirmed incidents on the database where police on the Isle of Wight have asked people to remove flags from vehicles.
Displaying of an England flag: Not a criminal offence
They point out that displaying of an England flag on a vehicle is not a criminal offence in itself.
Specifically on flags attached to cars they say …
“Police officers apply the law in a professional, proportionate and considered fashion. An offence may be committed if a driver’s view is obstructed by an object.
Additionally, an offence may be committed if something attached to a vehicle causes danger or nuisance to any person. An officer may choose to take further action if the individual set of circumstances make that necessary.”
Image: sk8geek under CC BY-SA 2.0
Mini image: markhillary under CC BY 2.0
