TORBAY’S council tax payers will have to foot the clean-up bill for red ‘St George’ crosses daubed on roundabouts and street furniture across the bay.

A number of mini-roundabouts have been ‘defaced’ with red paint crosses as part of a nationwide social media campaign.

In some places bollards have been painted with crosses, and in other places the crosses have been painted across white line markings in the road.

Cllr Adam Billings, whose role includes responsibility for highways, said: “I am proud of my country and our history and support the flying of the Union Flag and the St George’s Cross in appropriate locations. We have the flag at both Torquay and Brixham town halls and I have asked Officers to consider other appropriate locations.

“However I would ask people not to deface our road network or other public property.

“Doing so can cause safety risks for road users and increased costs for local council tax payers. As an alternative, the option is always there for people to fly the flag at their own home.”

People across the country putting up flags and painting mini-roundabouts say they are motivated by pride and patriotism, and a social media campaign called Operation Raise The Colours has fuelled the movement.

Others, however, say it is provocative at a time when tensions are running high over immigration.

Red crosses started appearing on roundabouts in Birmingham, and the phenomenon then spread.

In Torquay, the roundabout at the top of Old Woods Hill has been painted, while bollards at Hatfield Cross have also been daubed with red crosses.

Opponents say it is vandalism that will cost the council thousands of pounds to fix, but many people on social media have applauded the mystery artists.

A spokesperson for the council said the local authority supported the flying of the two flags in appropriate locations as seen with the displays at Torquay and Brixham town halls.

But the spokesperson added: “The council wants to emphasise that unauthorised painting or the placement of stickers or flags on Torbay’s road network, bollards, and official signage is not acceptable. These features are critical to the safe and legal operation of local highways, providing essential information to both drivers and pedestrians.

“Altering or obscuring signage and road features is a breach of the Highways Act and poses a serious risk to public safety. The council will take appropriate action where an individual is found to have defaced public or private property.

“In line with the council’s legal responsibilities, SWISCo will be removing unauthorised markings, stickers, and flags to maintain highway safety and protect Torbay’s valued public spaces.”