A man in his 30s was hospitalised with a broken leg after being run over by a van in a hit and run incident on Mayfield Road, Stirchley, Birmingham. The incident occurred late on Thursday night amid tensions surrounding the removal of unauthorised Union Jack and St George’s flags displayed by the group ‘Raise the Colours’.
West Midlands Police are currently investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV and social media footage to identify the driver involved in the hit and run.
Flag Dispute Sparks Violence
Locals had begun removing flags attached to lampposts without permission, which led to clashes just hours before the United Kingdom march in London. Witnesses reported that the van which fled the scene displayed the ‘Raise the Colours’ logo, linking the nationalist group to the incident.
Victim Sustains Serious Injuries
The man suffered a broken shin bone and underwent surgery to insert a screw. He remains in hospital as he recovers from his injuries. This incident is the latest in a series of escalating tensions around the flags, which have sparked accusations of harassment and intimidation within the community.
Community and MP Condemn Attack
The local group Stirchley is For Everyone condemned the attack, describing it as a dangerous escalation following months of nationalist harassment in the area. Birmingham MP Al Carns also denounced the violence, stating that the Union Jack should serve to unite people rather than divide them. He highlighted the numerous complaints made about the flag-erecting group.
Council Warns On Safety
Birmingham City Council reiterated that unauthorised flag attachments pose public safety risks and are regularly removed by council teams. The council referenced a fatal accident last year involving a man who fell from a ladder while attempting to hang a Union Jack flag, urging residents to leave such tasks to professionals.
Originally published by UKNIP.
