Police open probe after Westbury White Horse draped with St George’s Cross

Wiltshire Police said it had opened an inquiry after the Westbury White Horse, a 53-metre chalk hill figure on the Wiltshire escarpment, was altered to resemble the St George's Cross on September 9.

English Heritage, which owns the land on which the horse sits, said the horse had been draped with red fabric held in place with pegs and that the ribbons were removed after the action was reported to the charity. Its inspection concluded the pegs had caused "minimal damage." Wiltshire Police said: "We have received a report regarding minor damage being done to the horse through the use of pegs" and that the force was "in the early stages of our inquiries." The force had initially indicated it would not be investigating the alteration.

The Westbury White Horse was first cut into the escarpment of Salisbury Plain in the late 17th century and was reshaped into its current iconic design in 1778. The figure is among several historic chalk hill carvings in southern England that form part of the region's cultural landscape.

A local resident who walks past the landmark regularly, Velisa Russell, said the material used limited harm: "Luckily there's no damage as red material was used. It's more an act of patriotism, not vandalism. Just a bit of fun." English Heritage's statement that damage was minimal did not provide further detail on whether the site would require conservation work.

The alteration echoed a wider campaign in recent weeks to display St George's Cross and Union flags in public spaces. An online movement called "Operation Raise the Colours," co-founded by Andrew Currien, also known as Andy Saxon, has encouraged the public display of England flags in response to local authorities removing them from street furniture. Currien has been described by commentators as an ally of activist Tommy Robinson and has alleged links to groups such as the English Defence League and Britain First.

Support for flying the flags has come from some Conservative figures. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick publicly posted images of flags he said he had put up, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote in the Mail that flags were being flown as "symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism," adding that "there is nothing extreme about pride in our country, whatever our background. There is nothing racist about flying the flag of your nation." A spokesperson said the prime minister "absolutely" supported those hanging up English flags.

The campaign has divided opinion locally and nationally. Some councils, citing health and safety and the unauthorised use of public assets, have removed banners and decorations from council-owned infrastructure; Tower Hamlets and Birmingham were among those to take down flags from lampposts and other street furniture. Incidents of flags being placed on roundabouts and road markings have prompted some authorities to repaint or otherwise remove the additions.

English Heritage did not comment on whether it recognised the action as part of any organised campaign. Wiltshire Police said its inquiries were continuing and did not provide details on potential outcomes or whether charges would be considered.

The episode drew attention to the vulnerability of historic chalk figures to physical interventions. While English Heritage's assessment described only minimal damage in this case, such landmarks are sited on sensitive chalk downland and have been subject to conservation and maintenance efforts over decades. Any physical alteration to a scheduled or protected landscape can prompt assessments by heritage bodies to determine the need for remedial work.

As inquiries proceed, English Heritage and local authorities will continue to monitor the site. Wiltshire Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the force to assist its investigation.