Residents, council staff and councillors have been subject to rising “abuse, harassment and intimidation” directly linked to the removal of unauthorised flags, a local authority has said.

Shropshire council said it had recorded a rise in reports of abuse with staff and members “being threatened for explaining the council’s position” on the removal of flags and when they attempt to do so – “even in day-to-day work to repair street lighting”, the authority added.

The flag campaign , which is believed to have started in Birmingham last summer, has resulted in hundreds of union and St George’s flags being erected on lamp-posts, roundabouts and street furniture across England.

Groups involved have said the flags are symbols of pride and patriotism.…