Tower Hamlets residents have been left divided after a campaign to put up St George’s flags in the borough.
Although some claimed they were “intimidated” by the move, others called the fact they had been taken down “disgraceful”.
An online movement called “Operation Raise the Colours” has vowed to hang hundreds of flags across the country, with many spotted in Birmingham as well as in east London.
Residents saw Manchester Road in Tower Hamlets lined with St George's flags over the weekend, close to The Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.
The hotel has been at the centre of protests over asylum seekers in recent weeks and only a few of the flags remained by Monday.
Lifelong Whitechapel resident Mohan Abdul, 39, said he felt “terrified” by the St George’s flags being put up.
He said: “They are making it quite clear they are racist, the flags make me feel like they are trying to extend their [idea].
“We live in a multicultural society. We respect everyone and anything. I don’t feel very accepted right now.
“It’s intimidating. The issue is with the Government. They should go to Parliament and take the issue up there.”
But other residents have been left confused by why the flags have been removed.
Market worker Mihai Nigel, who works opposite Whitechapel station, added: “It’s just a flag that shows what country you are in. My opinion is it is disgraceful towards the country.”
Mr Nigel highlighted how there are plenty of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian flags in the area.
He continued: “It’s part of the community and part of the country. Why would we take it down?”
Downing Street insisted on Monday that patriotism "will always be an important thing" to Sir Keir Starmer after St George's Cross flags were removed from council properties by Tower Hamlets as well as in Birmingham.
BirminghamLive also reported flags that have been flown in areas of the city have been removed by the local council.
Asked what the Prime Minister's view is on the councils that have removed the flags, Sir Keir's official spokesman said on Monday: "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.
"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."
Asked if Sir Keir is supportive of people who put up English flags, the spokesman said: "Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags.
"We put up English flags all around Downing Street every time the English football team - women's and men's - are out trying to win games for us."
Walking along Manchester Road on Monday lunchtime, one local resident who did not want to give his name said: "They were all along the street, lots of them. It looked nice really. It was very colourful.
"I saw them late on Saturday. They just appeared and only noticed they have all gone now."
His neighbour said: "They all went up at the weekend and have come down now."
She added that she did not feel threatened or scared, but it was definitely a "very pointed act".
The local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It was right they should come down as I think it was after the demonstration about asylum."
She said, "it was not about community", adding that normally when you see flags go up it is around a celebration or about bringing people together.
"There was no noise or trouble about it. They just went up and I did not see anyone take them down."
She added: "It was OK. I know a lot of people like it and it was bright."
Another resident said: "It was all along the road. It was nice. There was nothing wrong with it.
"It went all along to the Britannia Hotel."
He added it was "good to see" because "so much today is about division and I am just proud of being English".
Tower Hamlets Council said it has a "policy setting out which flags are flown from council buildings and on which occasions".
In a statement, the council added: "We are aware members of the public have been putting up St George flags on various structures.
"While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure.
"Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance."
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "We proudly fly the Union flag outside the Council House every day and recognise the importance of the Union flag and flag of St George as symbols of national pride.
"Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures.
"When it comes to items attached to lamp posts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations.
"As has always been the case, people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but we ask that they are not attached to street furniture."
