The mother of Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty has spoken out after England flags displayed in her hometown were taken down and burned.
Caroline Peaty, who lives in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, said the sight of the flags tied to lampposts had given her “a really good feeling,” reflecting community pride in the nation. However, that sense of pride was shattered when she discovered the remnants of several flags destroyed overnight.
Peaty, mother of the triple Olympic gold medallist, said CCTV footage captured two young people removing the flag from a lamppost outside her property on Saturday night. By the following morning, the burned remains of the flags were found nearby.
“I was disgusted, really, because I’m proud of our country and I’m proud of the people that fought for our country,” she told BBC Radio Stoke. “It’s nothing to do with racism, this is our country, lots of young men lost their lives for us to have the freedom to fly our flags.”
Peaty explained that she regularly flies an England flag on her own property, partly to celebrate her son’s sporting achievements and also to reflect her national pride.
One of her neighbours contacted Staffordshire Police about the incident, though Peaty said officers explained there was little they could do without further evidence. The force has been approached for comment.
She urged the vandals to learn more about the sacrifices made by the armed forces in defending the country. “Maybe if they watched what the forces did to protect our country, they might see the flag differently,” she said.
For Peaty, the damage went beyond vandalism and raised wider concerns about values among the younger generation. “It’s OK for [the vandals] to ruin people’s property, take things down without permission – so what does that say to our younger generation? That they can do what they want?” she asked.
The incident has unsettled local residents, many of whom had appreciated the public display of flags as a show of community spirit. With no arrests yet made, residents are left questioning how far respect for national symbols and private property can be upheld in their town.