A construction company has confirmed it has not removed flagpoles missing from Walthamstow Stadium.

Quadrant Construction, which is turning the former dog track into a 294-home housing estate for developer London & Quadrant (L&Q), has confirmed the Union Jack and American standards missing from the stadium were not its work.

Neighbours spotted the Union Jack and its flagpole missing on Tuesday from the top car park at the front of the former dog track in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, and the American flag was missing on Wednesday.

But a Quadrant Construction spokesman said: “Sadly, these flags have been taken down and removed from the site without our permission. Throughout construction, we will continue to keep local people informed about our work on the Walthamstow Stadium development.”

The stadium has sported flags of different countries for years and Gail Penfold, chair of the Walthamstow Stadium Area Residents Association, fears people have stolen the standards as a prank.

She said: “It’s a shame. It just doesn’t look right. They mean a lot to people. If it’s pranksters and they just return it, then no problem, we’d love to have our flags back.”

The flags have been a mainstay of the stadium in the past but were taken down a couple of years ago when they grew old and tatty, only to be replaced in time for the Olympics.

Mrs Penfold added: “People were over the moon at that. The stadium looks strange without them.”

If anyone has seen anything please contact reporter Joe Curtis at jcurtis@london.newsquest.co.uk