Nottingham residents were left shocked after a two-metre tall goose mascot, affectionately known as Goosey the Goose, was vandalized with a St George’s Cross.
The incident occurred at the Mansfield Road roundabout and has sparked both outrage and a police investigation.
Police believe the vandalism took place around 9:30 pm on September 3, and officers are now reviewing CCTV footage and other leads to identify the culprit.
Goosey, made of fibreglass and timber and weighing roughly a quarter of a tonne, has long been a centerpiece of Nottingham’s beloved annual Goose Fair.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Dashcam Footage
Nottinghamshire Police have urged anyone who might have witnessed the incident to come forward.
Police Constable Lindsey Webster said, “Goosey is an iconic mascot for the fair, and we want to find whoever is responsible for vandalising the statue.
If you were passing by with a dashcam, or even travelling on one of the buses nearby, please review your footage and get in touch.”
Authorities are stressing the importance of community assistance to quickly resolve the case and restore the beloved symbol of the fair.
Council Condemns the Act as Going Too Far
A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council commented, “Goosey has been a staple of the city for many years, and while we support flying St George’s flag on national celebrations, painting it on Goosey is a step too far.”
The council clarified that flags are proudly displayed on official occasions but vandalism, misuse, or offensive messaging will not be tolerated.
Operation Raise the Colours Sparks National Debate
The goose vandalism is linked to “Operation Raise the Colours,” a campaign that has seen St George’s Crosses and Union Flags appear across the UK, including high-profile landmarks such as the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire.
While supporters argue the campaign promotes national pride, critics warn that it has been co-opted by far-right groups, turning what started as a patriotic display into a source of controversy.
Politicians and Public Figures Weigh In
Some Conservative politicians, including Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, have defended the display of flags as a symbol of unity and pride.
Kemi Badenoch stated, “There is nothing extreme about pride in our country, whatever our background.
There is nothing racist about flying the flag of your nation.”
Others have raised concerns over the campaign being linked to far-right figures like Tommy Robinson, with donations of flags coming from organizations such as Britain First.
Prime Minister Comments on National Pride
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the issue in a recent interview, emphasizing his personal pride in the flag while cautioning against its misuse.
“I think flags are patriotic and a great symbol of our nation.
I don’t want to see them used purely for divisive purposes,” he said.
Far-Right Leaders Speak Out
Meanwhile, figures like Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have defended the display of national symbols as a matter of identity and border control, criticizing leaders they claim are “gutless” in protecting British interests.