Flags issue is ‘difficult and emotive’, police chief tells DPP

PROBLEMATIC flag flying in the borough is dealt with by police through “negotiation and consultation”, the PSNI commander for the area has said.

His comment came at last Thursday night’s DPP meeting in Ahoghill in response to a submitted question on the issue from a member of the public, Lyle Cubitt.

Responding T/Chief Inspector Sean Fitzpatrick stated: “The issue of flags is a very difficult and emotive one.

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“Police work within an agreed partnership approach, set out in the ‘Joint Protocol in Relation to the Display of Flags in Public Areas’, along with the DoE, DRD, DSD, OFMDFM and NIHE.

“Police are firmly committed through our work with these and other partner agencies, as well as local communities, to address the issues surrounding the flying of flags in public areas.”

The local police chief aded that the majority of flags that are erected are legal and include Union Flags, Ulster Flags, UVF 1912 Flags and Battle of the Somme Flags.

“When police become aware of illegal flags, our policy is to address the issue through negotiation, consultation and, if necessary, through enforcement,” said Mr Fitzpatrick who added that the ideal scenario was that “flags are taken down by the people who put them up in agreement with the community”.