Key Points
- Ryan Bridge, 45, co-founder of Raise the Colours, pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal charges at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.
- The charges against Bridge cover racially aggravated harassment, common assault, and public order offences following incidents in Oxfordshire.
- Prosecutors detailed alleged altercations on Abingdon Road and at Cherwell Valley services.
- Bridge is scheduled to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 3 December for the racially aggravated charges, with two summary trials set for April 2027 at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.
- Both Oxfordshire County Council and Birmingham City Council have previously sought legal injunctions to stop people attaching flags to public street furniture without permission.
Oxford (Birmingham Express) November 3, 2026 — Ryan Bridge, the 45-year-old co-founder of the activist group Raise the Colours, appeared before Oxford Magistrates’ Court today and formally entered not guilty pleas to a series of criminal charges brought against him.
As reported by the Oxford Mail court reporter, Ryan Bridge indicated not guilty pleas to three counts of racially aggravated harassment following alleged incidents in Oxfordshire.
The defendant, who resides in Birmingham, faced a range of charges following investigations by Thames Valley Police into incidents alleged to have occurred between January and March.
What were the specific charges presented in court?
The proceedings centered on allegations involving public order, harassment, and physical confrontation. Bridge indicated not guilty pleas to three specific counts of racially aggravated harassment. Prosecutor statements detailed that one charge relates to an incident at the Cherwell Valley services on 31 January, while two further counts stem from events on Abingdon Road on 24 March.
Additionally, Bridge entered pleas regarding six counts of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, alongside counts of common assault and using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence.
As reported by local media court correspondents, prosecutors alleged in court that “the defendant engaged in course of conduct involving verbal intimidation and public order violations during street-level activism.”
How will the legal proceedings move forward?
Following the entry of the pleas, the bench at Oxford Magistrates’ Court allocated the case across two court tiers depending on the severity of the alleged offences.
The three counts of racially aggravated harassment were sent to the higher court. Bridge was remanded on conditional bail and is scheduled to make his next court appearance at Oxford Crown Court on 3 December.
For the summary public order and assault charges, two separate trials have been scheduled at Oxford Magistrates’ Court. The court ordered that the trial concerning six counts of using threatening words or behaviour will take place on 12 April. The second trial, addressing allegations of common assault and intentional public order violations, is scheduled for 21 April.
Outside the courthouse, a small gathering of supporters from local activist groups, including Raise the Colours and Oxfordshire Patriots, assembled prior to the hearing.
Background of the development
The legal action against Ryan Bridge occurs against the backdrop of nationwide activity by the Raise the Colours group. Established as a campaign movement, the organisation gained significant public attention by placing Union Flags and St George’s Crosses on public infrastructure, including lampposts, traffic lights, and roundabouts across various English towns and cities.
The campaign attracted conflicting public reactions and prompt legal responses from highway authorities. Local councils expressed concern over public safety, potential highway obstruction, trespass, and damage to municipal property.
Oxfordshire County Council previously successfully applied for a High Court injunction from Mr Justice Dias against “Persons Unknown” affiliated with the movement, legally prohibiting the attachment of flags to public street furniture. Similar legal steps have been pursued by Birmingham City Council, which sought High Court injunctions following reports of unauthorized installations and disputed confrontations between activists, municipal workers, and local residents.
Prediction: How this development can affect the local community and highway authorities
This ongoing judicial process is expected to establish important legal precedents for how local authorities and law enforcement manage unauthorized political displays and street-level activism on public highways.
For local authorities and highway agencies, the progression of both civil injunctions and criminal proceedings will provide clearer frameworks for enforcing highway compliance under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980. If the courts uphold strict boundaries regarding public infrastructure, local councils across the United Kingdom may adopt similar legal strategies to clear unauthorized installations quickly.
For local residents and communities, the court’s decisions may impact the atmosphere of public spaces and the frequency of organized flag-raising activities. A clear legal resolution could reduce street-level disputes and establish defined boundaries regarding permissible expressions of campaign activity on public property.
