Red fabric has been draped across Wiltshire’s ancient Westbury White Horse to form a giant St George’s Cross, transforming the 180-foot chalk figure into a controversial patriotic display visible for miles as authorities scramble to assess potential damage to the historic landmark.
The material was discovered attached to the 17th-century monument early this morning, with photographs revealing strips of red fabric carefully positioned to create the distinctive cross formation against the white hillside figure. Police have confirmed no criminal offences were committed, whilst English Heritage announced immediate plans for specialist removal teams to access the steep Bratton Downs location.
The installation represents the latest escalation in “Operation Raise the Colours,” a nationwide campaign that has seen thousands of English and Union flags appear on lampposts, bridges and roundabouts across Britain. The movement, which began in Birmingham this summer, has divided communities between those claiming patriotic expression and critics warning of far-right infiltration.
We are aware of red material being pinned across the Westbury White Horse to form the St George’s Cross,” a Wiltshire Police spokesman confirmed. “No criminal offences are thought to have been committed and we are not investigating it.”
Historic Monument Targeted
The Westbury White Horse, carved into chalk grassland below Bratton Camp Iron Age hillfort, stands as Wiltshire’s oldest white horse figure. Dating from the late 1600s, local tradition suggests it commemorates King Alfred’s victory over the Danes at the Battle of Ethandun in 878 AD, though historians have long debated this connection.
English Heritage, which manages the site, expressed immediate concern about potential damage to the protected monument. The organisation confirmed the fabric had been secured using pegs driven into the grass surrounding the chalk figure, avoiding direct contact with the historic rock formation itself.
“We’ll be removing it as soon as we can and seeing whether the pegs that were used have caused any damage to this much-loved historic landmark,” an English Heritage spokesperson stated. The careful method of attachment, whilst distinguishing the incident from criminal vandalism according to police assessment, still raises conservation concerns.
Specialist rope access teams will be required to safely reach and remove the material from the steep hillside location. Westbury Town Council confirmed they had immediately notified the landmark’s owners about the incident, with a council spokesman stating: “The landowners, English Heritage, have been informed, and are arranging for a roped access team to attend the site as soon as possible to remove and assess any damage.”
National Flag Campaign Intensifies
The Westbury incident marks a significant escalation in Operation Raise the Colours, which has spread rapidly from its Birmingham origins to cities and towns nationwide. The campaign, promoted through social media platforms including Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp, encourages supporters to display St George’s Cross and Union flags in public spaces.
The campaign began in August 2025 and has involved tying flags to lamp-posts and painting the Saint George’s Cross onto mini-roundabouts. What began as localised flag-raising has evolved into coordinated efforts involving ladders, cable ties, and organised groups working to drape flags across motorways and public structures.
The movement’s origins have attracted scrutiny from anti-racism groups. According to the activist group Hope Not Hate, it was co-founded by Andrew Currien, otherwise known as Andy Saxon, who has alleged links to the English Defence League and Britain First. The involvement of known far-right figures has prompted warnings about the campaign’s true motivations.
Despite claims of patriotic intent, the timing and nature of the campaign have raised concerns. The flags appeared shortly after England women’s football team success at Euro 2025, but critics argue the movement extends beyond sporting celebration. Anti-racist activist groups Stand Up to Racism and Hope Not Hate have expressed opposition to the movement, arguing that it is an ‘intentional attempt by the far-right to promote their ideas, inflame tensions and intimidate immigrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities at a time of rising anti-immigration sentiment.
Political Response Divides Opinion
The campaign has prompted varied responses from political leaders, with many attempting to balance support for patriotic expression against concerns about extremist exploitation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer waded into the debate through his official spokesman, who confirmed the PM’s support for flag displays.
“I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels,” the spokesman stated. “I think he’s talked about that previously, not least recently in relation to the Lionesses’ successful campaign in the Euros. Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.”
However, Starmer later added nuance to his position, warning that flags could be “devalued when flown for divisive purposes.” The delicate political balancing act reflects broader tensions within British society about national identity and immigration.
Conservative politicians have been more forceful in their support. Robert Jenrick, former immigration minister, climbed a lamppost in Newark to hang a Union flag, declaring on social media: “Raise the colours! While Britain-hating councils take down our flags, we raise them up. We must be one country, under the Union Flag.”
Council Responses Vary
Local authorities across England have responded differently to the flag displays, creating a patchwork of policies that reflects deeper political divisions. Several local councils, including Birmingham City Council, City of York Council and Tower Hamlets London Borough Council among others, have taken down the flags, citing safety concerns and a lack of permission to fly these on council property.
Tower Hamlets Council, which had previously displayed Palestinian flags, announced any British flags attached to council property would be promptly removed. The contrast has fuelled accusations of “two-tier” treatment and political bias.
Conversely, others, including Basildon Borough Council, Harlow District Council, Lancashire County Council and several others, have supported the flags and ordered council staff not to take any down, defending it as an expression of patriotism. Reform UK-controlled councils have been particularly supportive, with some threatening criminal damage charges against those painting roundabouts without permission.
Wiltshire Council had previously distinguished between temporary displays and permanent defacement. The council characterised individuals who spray-painted roadways as vandals rather than patriots, highlighting the difference between removable installations and lasting damage to public property.
Historical Precedent and Concerns
This is not the first time the Westbury White Horse has been used for political expression. In 2003, the monument was vandalised when “Stop This War” was written in yellow across it in protest against the Iraq War. The incident required extensive cleaning and left the horse noticeably discoloured.
More recently, in 2018, red plastic was placed on the monument ahead of England’s men’s football World Cup semi-final match, demonstrating the figure’s recurring role as a canvas for national expression.
The horse itself has undergone numerous transformations since its creation. Originally requiring regular scouring to maintain its white appearance, it was covered in concrete and painted white in 1957 to reduce maintenance costs. The concrete has required regular cleaning and repainting, with the most recent extensive restoration work completed in 2023.
Community Impact and Division
The proliferation of flags has created tangible divisions within communities. In Birmingham, where the movement began, residents report mixed reactions ranging from pride to intimidation. The Weoley Warriors, describing themselves as “a group of proud English men,” have raised over £10,000 online to support their flag-raising activities.
Immigration has overtaken cost-of-living as voters’ top concern in recent polling, with Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, now registering as the most popular political party. Farage recently stated he would implement mass deportation of 600,000 people if elected in 2029, reflecting hardening attitudes on immigration.
The timing of Operation Raise the Colours, coming amid heightened tensions over immigration and following summer riots in 2024, has intensified debates about the flags’ meaning. When a St. George’s Cross was painted on the wall of St. John the Baptist church, in the town of Lincoln, the vicar, Rachel Heskins, saw it as a clear “attempt to intimidate” the diverse local community.
Public opinion remains divided. Polling suggests approximately 57 per cent of Britons support displaying English flags, whilst 27 per cent view them negatively, often associating them with football hooliganism and far-right movements.
Assessment and Next Steps
English Heritage faces the immediate challenge of removing the fabric without damaging the protected monument. The organisation will conduct a thorough evaluation once specialist teams gain access to the steep hillside location. Previous incidents have shown that even temporary installations can cause lasting damage to the chalk figure.
The broader challenge extends beyond physical restoration. The Westbury White Horse incident symbolises deeper tensions about national identity, immigration, and the ownership of patriotic symbols. The St George’s Cross, historically associated with both national pride and extremist movements, remains a contested emblem.
Legal complexities further complicate responses. Whilst flags may fly freely on private property, public infrastructure remains subject to regulation. The distinction between legitimate patriotic expression and potentially intimidating displays continues to challenge authorities.
As removal teams prepare to access the Westbury White Horse, the incident has already achieved its apparent goal of generating nationwide attention. Whether viewed as patriotic expression or political provocation, the red cross on the white horse ensures the debate over British identity and belonging will continue.
The monument, which has watched over Wiltshire for more than three centuries, now finds itself at the centre of contemporary culture wars. Its transformation into a giant St George’s Cross, however temporary, reflects a nation grappling with fundamental questions about identity, inclusion, and the meaning of patriotism in modern Britain.
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