A council contractor has been verbally abused and says his cherry-picker was damaged as he tried to remove Saltire flags from lampposts in Stenhousemuir.
The man, who does not want to be named, said he had removed six or seven flags from lampposts in the cul-de-sac when he was confronted by a group of people.
He said that he was sent an email warning him to “stay out our village” following the incident on Friday morning.
Falkirk Council said it was aware of the incident and had contacted Police Scotland.
In a short video recorded by the contractor, he tells one of the group that he has called the police.
One man, who is also filming the incident with his phone, tells the contractor: “This is theft, there is no crime, you are not with the council.”
The man said it was the second incident he had experienced after “being run out of” a housing estate near Falkirk Stadium last week while carrying out the same work.
The self-employed businessman was working with his two adult grandsons.
He told Scotland News: “The council said to have somebody with you because it’s somebody’s word against yours if you’re by yourself.
“The council gave us a list of locations and we did four or five. Then the next thing, a mob came out of the bottom of the road.
“They were coming out in their bits and pieces and their dressing gowns and slippers.”
He said that one of the group accused him of theft by removing the flags.
“The guy was right in my face, calling me all sorts of names, he was about six inches away,” he said.
The man was born in Scotland but spent time growing up in England and has an English accent. He was told to get back to England.
“I’m Scottish, but I moved to England when I was young and came back in my teens
“He said the Saltire flag is nothing to do with you, you’re English.”
The man said he dialled 999 as advised by the council, but no police turned up during the time he was trying to manoeuvre his van out of the cul-de-sac.
He said: “We tried to get away and they stood in front of the van and they wouldn’t let us turn round.
“Then this other woman came and battered the wing mirror and broke it.”
The contractor said he was left shaken by the incident.
“It was very very hostile. I don’t know how they got my email address.”
Falkirk Council said it was aware of the incident.
A spokesperson said. “Threatening or intimidating behaviour towards workers is unacceptable, and the matter has been reported to Police Scotland.”
Police Scotland said it had received a report of the disturbance at about 11:20 on Friday.
A spokesperson said: “No injuries were reported. No complaint was made, and suitable advice was given. No further police action is required.”
Saltire flags have been erected at locations across Scotland in recent weeks, and this has been linked to anti-immigration sentiment.
Two weeks ago Aberdeenshire Council suspended the removal of Saltires from lamp posts in Peterhead after workers were threatened.
The Saltires in Peterhead are still in place.
