Police Appeal Following Vandalism of Nottingham's Goosey Mascot with St George's Cross

The mascot statue for Nottingham's annual Goose Fair, known as Goosey the Goose, was vandalised with a red St George's Cross sprayed across its front on the Mansfield Road roundabout near Forest Recreation Ground. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on September 3, with Nottinghamshire Police appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to help identify the culprit. Goosey, made of fibreglass and timber and weighing about a quarter of a tonne, is an iconic figure for the fair and the city. The vandalism coincides with an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which has led to increased flying of Union and St George’s Cross flags across England. Nottingham City Council condemned the act as "a step too far," emphasizing that while they fly the largest St George’s flag in the country with pride, they do not condone misuse of the flag or vandalism. The council promptly cleaned the statue and urged the public to report any information to the police.