Council sought contractor to remove flags after staff abused

A council attempted to hire an outside contractor to remove flags from lampposts after its staff faced verbal abuse.

West Dunbartonshire Council workers refused to take down the flags hanging after experiencing "unacceptable" levels of abuse from members of the public.

The local authority then issued a tender for the work, only for no bids to be received.

Flags - including saltires - were put up in towns and cities across Scotland earlier this year after a social media campaign by a group behind anti-asylum seeker protests. It followed a similar campaign in England linked to rows over immigration.

Last week, it was revealed workers have been threatened while removing flags from lampposts to put up Christmas lights in Aberdeen.

West Dunbartonshire Council said the removal of flags from the area "was suspended following verbal abuse experienced by the officers undertaking the work."

As a result, the council then sought out external contractors to complete the work.

Flying flags on lampposts is banned under the terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: "The abuse of Council operatives while they are undertaking their duties is completely unacceptable.

"We would encourage anyone who witnesses this type of behaviour or is subject to abuse to contact Police Scotland.

"We will continue to explore options for the removal of these items."

In September, Aberdeenshire Council was among the councils that suspended the removal of flags from lampposts after workers faced regular threats and intimidation.