'Operation Raise the Colours' reaches Ipswich as town gets its first St George's roundabout

Why it matters: The flag painting trend has sparked controversy across the country, with many councils removing the markings following concerns about potential anti-immigration intent behind the campaign.

The details: The St George's Cross appeared on the roundabout at the bottom of Valley Road, where it meets Norwich Road – one of Ipswich's most diverse communities – on Tuesday, 9 September.

It follows similar incidents in Colchester and Trimley St Mary, and it remains unknown who painted it.

The bigger picture: "Operation Raise the Colours" began after St George's flags were removed from some streets in Birmingham.

While no one group is behind the campaign, far-right figures, including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and Britain First, a far-right group whose leader, Paul Golding, was jailed in 2018 for hate crimes against Muslims, quickly voiced their support.

Different social media groups have since sprung up to coordinate the activity. A fundraiser from one group, Weoley Warriors, has raised over £11,000 to help buy flags, poles and cable ties, and has been taking requests from residents for specific roads.

The controversy: There are concerns that the acts of "patriotism" could fuel division in communities and that anti-immigration sentiments may be behind the campaign.

What they're saying: One resident we spoke to described the roundabout as "pathetic" and "embarrassing," while another called it "pointless," questioning what it had achieved.

Councils have been swift to remove the unauthorised markings in other towns and cities. We have approached Suffolk County Council for comment.

While the government has not commented specifically on "Operation Raise the Colours", the prime minister's official spokesman recently said: "Patriotism will always be an important thing to him." When asked about people putting up English flags, the spokesman said: "Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags."

The bottom line: Behind a simple red cross painted on an Ipswich roundabout lies a complex national movement that has forced councils to navigate between patriotic expression, community relations and maintaining public infrastructure.