Flags on number plates

This was first brought to my attention yesterday on the CoSG forum and today by way of a humourous take on it by Alfred the OK.

I am referring to the legality, or rather the illegality, of having a flag on your number plate other than the EU flag.

Under current regulations, the only flag allowed on your number plate is the EU flag with the letters GB underneath. In 2002, the government announced their intention to amend the regulations which were then only a year old, to allow vehicle owners to have a Union Flag, Cross of St George, Welsh Dragon, St Andrew Saltire and Northern Ireland flag (not sure whether that would be the Ulster CoSG or the St Patricks Saltire).

The regulations still haven't been formally amended but the police were asked, by the government, not to prosecute motorists who break the current regulations and replace the EU flag.

Enter the unknown policeman, (dis)affectionately named PC Agenda by Alfie. This policeman decides to take a break from chasing murderers, drug pushers and burglars and catch a real criminal - one Neil Prendergast of Manchester. Mr Prendegast (or Convict 8465 as he is now known) had the audacity to display his country's flag on his car number plate in broad daylight! This breathtaking disregard for the law earnt Convict 8465 a fixed penalty fine.

It's reassuring to see the police taking a break from mundane jobs such as solving crimes, protecting the public and testing out new patrol cars at 159mph and going after the real criminals. I will sleep better at night knowing that the menace of number plates with English flags on are being dealt with with the full force of the law.