A 68-year-old pensioner was violently attacked while removing England flags from lampposts in Bowthorpe, Norfolk, in the early hours of October 23. The man, who wished to remain anonymous, reported being chased, punched, and having his face pressed into the pavement by a group of individuals.
According to the pensioner, the assault began when he attempted to take down flags around 4am. He was first confronted by a man and a child who shouted abuse at him. Feeling threatened, he walked away briskly, but the pair followed him for approximately 500 yards, continuing their verbal abuse. At one point, the boy even grabbed a flag from the pensioner’s back pocket.
The situation escalated when a white car suddenly swerved in front of him. Several men emerged from the vehicle and launched a violent attack, punching him and stamping on his head while he was on the ground. The pensioner described stepping on his face and the cruel violence he endured, expecting no such response for simply removing flags.
A witness intervened during the attack and called the police, prompting the attackers to flee. The victim suffered black eyes, bruising, and a swollen nose. Despite the police locating the vehicle involved and speaking to residents linked to the incident, no charges have been brought due to a lack of CCTV evidence and no identified suspects.
The pensioner expressed frustration over the police decision, noting the role social media and rising nationalism may play in inciting such violent behavior. He believes extremist attitudes and political tensions are fueling hostility, leading to aggressive actions over seemingly minor conflicts.
Norfolk Police confirmed that after thorough investigation and the absence of suspects, the case is currently on file pending any new information.