Sunday, June 4 2006

LONDON: Police have warned a growing number of motorists to avoid scaring horses or jabbing pedestrians when flying England flags from their vehicles in preparation for the football World Cup.

Flags, bearing the red and white cross of St George, are popping up in shop windows, outside houses and on the sides of cars and lorries across the country as fans show their support for the England team, which will be fighting for glory in Germany when the tournament kicks-off on June 9.

But Dereck Gist, the equine liaison officer for Hampshire Police in southern England, said horse owners in rural areas have complained that the small, fluttering flags on cars have been startling horses and other livestock.

He said: “It is commendable that the nation is getting behind their football team but I do have concerns that motorists may cause an animal to bolt and possibly cause injury to itself, its rider or innocent passers-by.

“We would therefore like to remind motorists of their responsibility under the Highway Code rule 190, which states — ‘When passing animals, drive slowly. Give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop. Do not scare animals’.”

Gist also advised motorists to ensure that flags are attached securely to their vehicle because a driver could face an assault charge if his England banner were to fly off and injure a passer-by or cyclist.

“We are not trying to be killjoys, all we ask for is a little bit of consideration,” the police officer added.

(AFP)