Raise the Colours Leader Ryan Bridge Faces 14 Charges at Oxford Magistrates' Court

The leader of a nationalist campaign responsible for hoisting Union Jack and St George's Cross flags across England faces 14 criminal charges in Oxfordshire.

Ryan Bridge, 45, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, co-founded the group Raise the Colours, which has been erecting flags on public street furniture and lamp-posts since August last year.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, Bridge was charged in connection with a series of alleged incidents across the county between January and March 2026. Appearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court, Bridge entered formal not guilty pleas to the multi-count indictment.  

The official court list details 14 separate charges, comprising four counts of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, two counts of using threatening or abusive words with intent to cause fear of violence, one count of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress, six summary public order counts and one count of common assault.

Electing for trial before a Crown Court jury on the indictable matters, Bridge requested that his case be determined by a judge and jury.

Magistrates granted him bail, directing that all matters linked to the Thames Valley Police prosecution be sent to Oxford Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for 3 December 2026.  

The criminal prosecution proceeds alongside ongoing civil litigation in the High Court regarding public flagging operations.

Oxfordshire County Council previously secured an injunction restricting unauthorised attachments near public highways due to concerns over trespass, obstruction and road safety.

Meanwhile, a written judgment remains reserved at the High Court in Birmingham following a contested application by Birmingham City Council seeking a similar injunction and attached powers of arrest against Bridge and other activists.

Separately from the Oxfordshire indictment, Bridge is scheduled to stand trial at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 15 March 2027 in relation to a standalone charge of assault.