It was an ordinary Saturday in Basildon, Essex, until a video emerged online that would spark outrage, debate, and a police investigation. The footage, now viewed more than 5.8 million times on X, shows two topless men perched on the roof of a shopping parade on Whitmore Way, methodically painting St George’s crosses—the iconic red and white flag of England—across the facades of several businesses. But what began as an act of so-called patriotism quickly descended into something much darker.
As the men worked, a Muslim woman in a headscarf walked past with her child. The video captured not just the painting, but also a moment when one of the men shouted a racist slur at her. The incident, which unfolded in plain view and was filmed by a third person, left viewers and locals shocked. The row of shops in question, a familiar stretch for many in Basildon, includes an off-licence, a pharmacy, an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway, and a burger bar—a snapshot of the area’s diversity.
According to Metro, Essex Police were swift to respond after receiving multiple reports from concerned members of the public. By Saturday, August 23, 2025, officers had arrested a 33-year-old Basildon man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. He was questioned and released on bail as the investigation continues.
Chief Inspector Paul Hogben of Essex Police did not mince words in his condemnation of the incident. “Regardless of anyone’s thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people’s properties is clearly a criminal offence,” he said, as reported by Daily Mail. “Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful. I’m confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county. We’ve received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it’s only right that we acted upon them. We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex. Behaviour like this does nothing to further any argument or make any valid point beyond harming our district and causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people.”
Basildon Borough Council’s Labour leader, Gavin Callaghan, echoed these sentiments, drawing a clear line between patriotic celebration and criminal acts. “This week we’ve seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough. I think it’s fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community,” he said, according to The Mirror. “But I want to be clear as well: there is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people’s shops or council buildings isn’t patriotism, it’s criminal damage. That isn’t the way to show love for your country. You’re not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You’re not protecting your child’s future by racially abusing a passer-by. Racism has no place in Basildon.”
This incident is part of a broader trend that has swept across the UK in recent weeks. Following an online movement dubbed Operation Raise the Colours, people have begun painting St George’s Crosses on crossings and roundabouts in various towns and cities. While some communities have embraced the display of national pride, others have seen council workers remove the painted symbols, as happened in Brighton, Tower Hamlets, and Birmingham. The debate over the flags has, in some places, fueled community tensions and even protests, particularly outside asylum seeker hotels in areas like Epping and Canary Wharf.
The Basildon episode, however, stands out for its explicit racial dimension. The video’s virality and the nature of the abuse have shone a harsh light on the intersection of patriotism, public space, and racism. As The Independent highlighted, the council’s approach has been to welcome the flying of flags while drawing a firm line at criminal damage and hate speech. “The video circulating of men painting a St George’s flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn’t just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child. That is totally wrong and must be called out,” Callaghan said.
The businesses affected—an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway, and more—are everyday fixtures in Basildon, serving as both economic lifelines and symbols of the town’s multicultural character. For many residents, the incident has raised uncomfortable questions about belonging and the meaning of national symbols. Is painting a flag on someone’s property an act of pride, or an imposition? When does a display of patriotism cross the line into intimidation?
Police have urged anyone with further information to come forward as they continue to assess the video and investigate the incident. The case has also sparked broader conversations about how communities should respond to acts of hate, especially when they are wrapped in the language of national pride. As Chief Inspector Hogben put it, “Behaviour like this does nothing to further any argument or make any valid point beyond harming our district and causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people.”
The story has also played out against the backdrop of wider unrest across the UK, with anti-migrant protests and counter-demonstrations erupting in cities like Liverpool and Bristol. Flags—both St George’s and Union Jack—have become rallying points for both sides, sometimes symbolizing unity, other times division. At least 15 people were arrested in related disturbances over the weekend, underscoring the volatility of the current climate.
In Basildon, the council has made it clear that while the flying of flags on streetlamps is generally permitted (with the final decision resting with Essex County Council), painting on private or public buildings is not. “Personally, I hope [the flags] do [stay up],” Callaghan said, “but painting on shops or council buildings isn’t patriotism, it’s criminal damage.”
For now, the man arrested in connection with the Basildon incident remains on bail, and the investigation is ongoing. The community, meanwhile, is left to grapple with the aftermath—a moment that has exposed fault lines but also prompted a renewed commitment to inclusivity and respect.
As Basildon and other towns across England navigate these turbulent waters, the message from local leaders and law enforcement is unequivocal: pride in one’s country should never come at the expense of another’s dignity or safety. The events on Whitmore Way have made that lesson painfully clear.
