Union flag theft on Queen's birthday treated as 'sectarian hate crime'

The article reports that a union flag was stolen from outside a civil service building in Derry, Northern Ireland, and replaced with an Irish tricolour flag on the Queen's birthday. The incident is being treated as a "sectarian hate crime" by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The theft and replacement of the flag are viewed as a targeted act motivated by political or religious animosity between different community groups in the region. The PSNI is investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information that could assist their investigation. The article highlights the ongoing tensions and divisions within Northern Ireland, where the display of national flags is often a contentious and politically charged issue. The theft and replacement of the union flag are seen as a provocative and symbolically significant act, reflecting the complex and sensitive nature of community relations in the region.