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This article - Some families 'feel unsafe' after group puts up flags on lampposts describes a group of men hanging UK Union flags on lamp-posts in a "mixed area", (itself a provocative act) and, crucially, threatening to burn the houses of anyone who interferes with them.

However, one local was apparently told by the police that "there is nothing we can do" since they weren't paramilitary flags.

First of all, I would have thought that since the flags are being hung on public property, the police would surely be able to take them down (seeing as the residents themselves are, no doubt, afraid to),

But the real question is, why can they do nothing about threats to burn down people's houses? Surely this is a criminal act!

valiantv
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There is no evidence that the police are not investigating the threats. Since the police weren't present when the threats were made, an investigation into the facts of the matter would need to be carried out.

There is also the fact that the perpetrators were apparently masked, meaning that their identity would need to be determined as well (even if the police probably have a fair idea who the local Unionist troublemakers are).

Given the nature of the actions that happened and the history of Northern Ireland, it is not surprising that the police are not acting rashly. Given that sectarian feelings are running a little high right now, that would include discussing with the community what to do with the flags.

GeoffAtkins
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I would have thought that since the flags are being hung on public property, the police would surely be able to take them down

In general, the police are not employed or equipped as public street cleaners, the local council likely has the responsibility to deal with litter etc that is on public property or attached to public property such as lamp-posts.

What the police could do is protect council staff who remove offensive objects from public property.

RedGrittyBrick
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