Flag vandalism outside Olympic champion Adam Peaty’s mother’s home adds to UK flags debate

Two men were filmed pulling down a St George’s flag from outside the Uttoxeter home of Caroline Peaty, mother of Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty, and are believed to have set it on fire, police said. The incident occurred Saturday night on Byrds Lane, and CCTV showed one of the men scaling a lamppost outside the front garden before removing the flag, which authorities say was later burnt.

Caroline Peaty, 59, did not raise the flag herself and said she was stunned by the act. She told reporters she is proud of her country and of the people who fought for it, and emphasized that the gesture was not about racism. “I am proud to wave the nation’s flag. I have it up to celebrate Adam’s achievements but also my family’s military service,” she said, noting that both her father and husband served in the armed forces. She added that seeing flags displayed in the area had given her a renewed sense of patriotism and unity, and she defended the right to fly national symbols as a personal tribute to her family’s service.

Staffordshire Police said they received a report at 9:20 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 21) of a group removing flags and setting them on fire on Byrds Lane. Officers reviewed CCTV footage and urged anyone with information to contact the force, either by calling 101 and quoting incident 660 of 21 September or via the force’s online live chat. Crimestoppers can also be reached anonymously at 0800 555 111.

The incident unfolds as a broader national debate over the display of English and British flags intensifies. Some supporters describe flag displays as straightforward expressions of patriotism, while critics worry about the flags being used for political purposes. Actor Ross Kemp weighed in on the discussion, stressing that while the flag represents English identity for many, it should not be hijacked for other agendas. His remarks came as large-scale demonstrations in London highlighted a spectrum of views on flag symbolism and immigration policy.

Nationwide coverage over recent months has highlighted clashes over flag symbolism in public spaces. In Birmingham, for example, city officials faced backlash after proposing the removal of hundreds of St George’s flags attached to lampposts by a group identifying as “proud English men,” with authorities citing health and safety concerns. Critics pointed to other flag displays—such as Palestinian and multi‑colored banners—that had appeared in the city and elsewhere, arguing that selective enforcement could undermine community cohesion. Similar debates have played out in east London’s Tower Hamlets, where authorities have removed St George’s flags tied to online campaigns while resisting removal of Palestinian flags, citing potential disruption to community relations.

Across the country, local councils have contended with questions about where flags are displayed, who places them, and how to balance personal expression with public safety. Proponents of flag displays argue the symbols reflect national pride commonly worn by athletes and teams in sports, while opponents caution against the potential for intimidation or misappropriation by extremist groups.

Police urged anyone with information about the Uttoxeter incident to come forward to help determine who was involved and why the flags were damaged or disposed of. The department said it is reviewing the CCTV footage and continuing to investigate the case as it develops, amid ongoing public discourse about national symbols and their place in British society.