Police will investigate a St George’s Cross being put across one of Wiltshire’s most well-known landmarks.
On the morning of Tuesday, September 9, Westbury’s White Horse, one of the county’s best-known features and visible for miles around, was turned into the England flag.
It was soon established that the cross had been formed with red fabric, and later in the day the site’s managers' English Heritage said the fabric had been removed from the horse with a damage assessment to follow.
Following an assessment of the damage, the organisation concluded damage had been “minimal”, and Wiltshire Police initially said the incident was not being investigated as no criminal offences were thought to have been committed.
However, on Tuesday a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police confirmed that an investigation had begun, and that the force was in the early stages of an investigation.
The spokesperson said: “Following an assessment of the Westbury White Horse by English Heritage, we have received a report regarding minor damage being done to the horse through the use of pegs.
“We are in the early stages of our inquiries.”
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The stunt has made national headlines this week, with Jeremy Vine discussing the issue on his Channel 5 show on Wednesday, September 10, asking his audience “have flags gone too far?”
It also sparked a spirited debate among readers and residents.
Many readers criticised the change, with commentor Joseph Blake slamming the move as an example of a ‘divisive’ practice, writing: “Using the flag to make people feel unwelcome isn't a British Value. It's being used to divide 'us' from 'them'. It's a twisted use of the national flag.”
Others, however, praised the act, regarding the pinning of the material to the monument as an act of “patriotism”.
Velisa Russell, who regularly walks past the monument and was on site on Tuesday, September 9, said: “Luckily there’s no damage as red material was used. It’s more an act of patriotism, not vandalism. Just a bit of fun.”
Her approval of the act was echoed online, with reader Sarah Honey commenting: “It is only material. I think it looks good.”
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