Flag Campaign Leader Arrested on Harassment Charges Following Oxfordshire Protests
The co-founder of a prominent flag-raising group has been taken into police custody on allegations of causing religiously and racially aggravated harassment. Ryan Bridge, leader of the Raise the Colours organisation, was apprehended by Thames Valley Police on Tuesday evening and subsequently released on bail the following day.
Campaign Activities Draw Official Condemnation
Raise the Colours has gained notoriety for installing hundreds of Union and Saint George flags across various English locations, including Birmingham and Oxfordshire. The group's activities have attracted significant criticism for what opponents describe as anti-immigrant rhetoric and divisive tactics.
In recent days, the organisation posted multiple videos showcasing members erecting flags throughout Oxfordshire. This prompted Oxfordshire County Council to issue a formal legal notice on Monday, explicitly prohibiting the group from continuing their flag installations in the area.
Council Leader Condemns "Intimidation and Division"
Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, issued a strong statement regarding the group's activities. "The widespread installation of flags by Raise the Colours is not a sign of patriotism," Leffman asserted. "It is an act of intimidation and division that is having a real and damaging impact on our communities."
The council leader further revealed that residents have reported feeling "distressed, unwelcome and unsafe" due to the flag campaigns. Council teams removing the flags, along with residents who challenged the installations, have allegedly faced abuse and threatening behaviour from group members.
Police Investigation and Arrest Details
Thames Valley Police confirmed arresting a 44-year-old man from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, at approximately 8:40 PM on Tuesday. The arrest followed reports of public order offences on Abingdon Road in Oxford last week.
In an official statement, police authorities explained: "Officers are investigating those public order offences and have arrested a 44-year-old man from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on suspicion of causing racially and religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. He has been released on police bail."
Defiant Response from Group Leader
Following his release, Bridge posted a video on Facebook expressing outrage at his arrest. "I've just been let out – 18-and-a-half hours for a public order section 5 causing people alarm and distress," he stated. "The world's gone mad. Me putting the flag up in my country is causing alarm and distress to certain members of the public. It's an absolute disgrace."
The flag campaign leader vowed to continue his activities despite the legal challenges, declaring: "We've got to march on, we've got to fight on. We've got a fight on our hands." Bridge confirmed that his bail conditions include a prohibition against visiting Oxfordshire.
Legal Consequences and Council Actions
Oxfordshire County Council's legal notice demands that Raise the Colours "stop a specified activity" in response to what they describe as the group's "continued placing of flags across Oxfordshire." The council has warned that they will consider all available options, including civil and criminal proceedings, if the group fails to comply with their directive.
The council emphasised that the "scale and persistence of this activity is affecting communities across Oxfordshire" and that they take residents' concerns about feeling unsafe and unwelcome seriously.
Raise the Colours has been contacted for additional comment regarding the arrest and ongoing investigation, but has not yet provided further statements beyond Bridge's social media video.
