A 350‑year‑old chalk figure on a Wiltshire hillside was altered with red fabric pinned to create a St George's Cross as a nationwide campaign to display English flags continued this week.

English Heritage, which owns the land around the Westbury White Horse, said staff would remove the material "as soon as we can" and would check whether pegs used to attach the fabric had caused any damage to the landmark. Wiltshire Police confirmed the force was not investigating the incident, saying "no criminal offences are thought to have been committed."

Regular walker Velisa Russell, who encountered the altered horse, said the red material appeared to have caused no permanent harm and described the act as "more an act of patriotism, not vandalism. Just a bit of fun." English Heritage warned that staff would assess any harm once the fabric was removed.

The Westbury White Horse, 53 metres long, was first cut into the escarpment of Salisbury Plain in the late 17th century and remodelled into its current form in 1778. The alteration on the landmark comes amid a campaign that supporters have called "Operation Raise the Colours" (also seen referred to as "Operation Flying the Colours"), in which participants have displayed St George's and Union flags in public spaces across England.

Supporters have draped flags from town centres and, in some cases, affixed crosses to road signs, roundabouts and other street furniture. Local councils, including Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, have removed banners from council‑owned infrastructure and asked for public restraint, citing health and safety and the need to avoid damage to public property.

The campaign has drawn a mix of responses. Some politicians and activists have described the moves as expressions of national pride. Tory figures such as Robert Jenrick have been photographed hanging flags, and Conservative leadership hopefuls have written in support of flying national emblems as "symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism," according to published remarks.

At the same time, the initiative has been criticised for attracting support from far‑right figures and groups. Organisers of the campaign include Andrew Currien, also known as Andy Saxon, who has been described as an ally of Stephen Yaxley‑Lennon, popularly known as Tommy Robinson. Organisers have accepted a donation of flags from Britain First; the group has repeatedly denied allegations that it is a far‑right or fascist organisation.

Downing Street voiced support for displays of national flags while cautioning against their use for divisive purposes. A spokesperson for the prime minister said the prime minister "absolutely" supported those who hung English flags and argued that patriotism and pride in the country were important. The prime minister himself has said he is "very encouraging of flags," adding that while flags are "a great symbol of our nation," they should not be used "purely for divisive purposes," which he said would devalue them.

Critics have warned that the campaign risks being co‑opted by extremist elements, while supporters insist it is a show of community pride. Councils and highways authorities have reported incidents of painted crosses and flags on road markings and roundabouts, prompting repeated removal and repainting by local authorities.

English Heritage oversees nearly 400 historic sites across England and has previously cautioned the public against making alterations to scheduled monuments and protected sites. In the case of the Westbury White Horse, the organisation said its teams would remove the material and inspect the chalk figure for any damage caused by the attachments.

Wiltshire Police reiterated that it did not consider the incident a criminal matter and would not be pursuing an investigation. The episode adds to a wider national debate over the public display of flags, the line between patriotism and provocation, and the role of political actors and fringe groups in high‑profile symbolic actions.