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A teacher who was let go for putting up 150 British flags around his hometown is demanding their return after saying some were taken down. Shaun Remmer had put up dozens of the flags as he believed it created a 'symbol' and 'unity' within his community in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Although he claims he was praised for his actions, with neighbours 'shaking his hands' in supermarkets, he says it resulted in him losing his teaching assistant job at Welburn Hall School in York. Now, Shaun says 12 flags he put up were removed from the town by a man. He is demanding their return and says he has sought assistance from North Yorkshire Police, reports Yorkshire Live . "I really do not want it to go that far", stated Shaun, 49. "I wouldn't want to get someone done for this but a point must be made to stop others ripping them down. "The thing is if we don't stand up to it now then it will give others the green light to rip away without any consequence. "It's his choice as he knows what will happen if he doesn't bring them back. So that's on him not me." A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the matter "has been looked into" and is not "being treated as a crime". The force also mentioned "the owner is due to collect the items". Shaun, who had been employed at Welburn Hall School for just one year before he was let go, says he now fears for his future career in education. Welburn Hall School headmistress, Marianne Best, confirmed his position was temporary and arranged through an education recruitment agency. But Shaun says he has now been told the circumstances of his dismissal could appear on his DBS check and be classified as 'safety issues'. North Yorkshire Council has also ordered Shaun to cease displaying flags or face potential consequences. A letter from the council warned that failure to comply would result in him being pursued for costs linked to removing the flags. Karl Battersby, the council's director of environment, said: "We are proud to support big national and regional occasions by flying a St George's Cross or Union Flag. "However, we are aware of some residents across North Yorkshire feeling uncomfortable with the numbers of flags as well as graffiti. This does not reflect the inclusive and celebratory tone in which displaying the flags should be intended. We have also seen numerous examples of people putting themselves at risk to display flags on highways, bridges and lampposts. "We respect individuals' rights to fly and paint flags on their own private property, but any unauthorised flags or markings on roundabouts and street furniture will be removed when resources allow, focusing on those which are a safety issue. "If any of our staff face intimidating or abusive behaviour while removing flags or graffiti from around the county, then we will pursue the appropriate action to deal with the individuals involved." Shaun has previously refuted any allegations of misconduct such as graffiti or causing any criminal damage. He also maintains that he researched the laws of where he could hang flags. Shaun does, however, acknowledge that some flags may need to be relocated if they are causing a problem and obscuring road signs due to Storm Amy. Nonetheless, Shaun takes issue with his beliefs being associated with 'right wingers' because he disagrees with their ideologies. H e stated: "I have worked in the Philippines and adopted other cultures, so how can I be racist? I am a single dad, so I needed this job. I don't know what the future will hold for me now."
