A police probe has been launched after a historic white horse landmark was altered to feature a St George’s Cross.
The famous Westbury White Horse, which has been carved into a Wiltshire hillside for 350 years, was draped with red fabric to resemble the English flag on September 9.
After the stunt was reported to English Heritage, who own the land, the red ribbons – held by pegs – were removed from the 173ft-tall horse.
English Heritage examined the site and said the pegs had caused ‘minimal damage’.
Following its assessment, Wiltshire Police said: ‘We have received a report regarding minor damage being done to the horse through the use of pegs.’
The force added it was ‘in the early stages of our inquiries’.
The horse was first cut into the escarpment of Salisbury Plain in the late 17th century but was changed to the current iconic design in 1778.
Pictured: A historic white horse landmark in Wiltshire was altered to feature the St George’s Cross
English Heritage examined the site and said the pegs had caused ‘minimal damage’
Velisa Russell, who walks past the landmark regularly, said: ‘Luckily there’s no damage as red material was used.
‘It’s more an act of patriotism, not vandalism. Just a bit of fun.’
The red ribbon to replicate the St George’s Flag seems to ape the recent trend of displaying the England flag in public places – which has been led by ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
‘Operation Raise the Colours’ is an online movement, initially created in response to council’s tearing down England flags.
It was co-founded by Andrew Currien, also known as Andy Saxon, an ally of Tommy Robinson who has alleged links to the English Defence League and Britain First.
The initiative has divided opinion between those who see it as a boon to national pride and those who say it has been tainted by emboldened elements of the far-right.
Advocates have draped Union and St George’s flags in town centres and – despite pleas from councils not to – inscribed road signs, roundabouts and road markings with the St George’s Cross.
Some local councils, such as Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, took down banners from council-owned infrastructure such as lampposts, citing health and safety.
Pictured: Regular walker Velisa Russell next to the flag. The horse was first cut into the escarpment of Salisbury Plain in the late 17th century but was changed to the current iconic design in 1778
Vandals have also painted the flag on roundabouts and other road markings, to the annoyance of local councils who are having to paint them over again
Many Conservatives have opposed those who say the flags should come down.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick was among those to go out and hang up flags, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote in the Mail that the flags were being flown as ‘symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism’.
She added: ‘We Conservatives know there is nothing extreme about pride in our country, whatever our background. There is nothing racist about flying the flag of your nation.’
However, Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has insisted that the Prime Minister ‘absolutely’ supports those hanging up English flags.
‘I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels,’ they said.
‘I think he’s talked about that previously… not least recently in relation to the Lionesses’ successful campaign in the Euros. Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.’
