Raise the Colours founder charged with 14 offences

The founder of an activist group that has placed Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags on lampposts faces 14 criminal charges, including racially aggravated harassment, threatening behaviour and assault.

Ryan Bridge, 45, from Blackwell in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been putting up flags across the Midlands and southern England since last summer through Raise the Colours. Thames Valley Police said the charges relate to a two-month period in Oxfordshire earlier this year. Bridge is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 3 November.

The charges include seven counts of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He also faces three counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence. Two charges involve racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress. The remaining charges are one count of racially aggravated fear of violence and one count of common assault.

The case comes amid efforts by local authorities to restrict the flag campaign near roads. Oxfordshire County Council secured a High Court injunction in July, citing safety concerns, trespass and obstruction. Birmingham City Council has applied for a similar injunction, which the High Court is due to hear on Tuesday.