The flagpole in the Memorial Gardens in Horley has been vandalised.
The pole was bent and Union Jack flag stolen from the area, inside the Recreation Ground off Brighton Road.
It is not clear at this stage when the incident happened, but members of the public first noticed the damage on Wednesday morning and reported it to Horley Town Council, who are responsible for maintaining the site.
Peter von Staerck, of Horley, said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting. I'm appalled and, you know, if they came down it by climbing to the top on the pole, how dangerous is that?
He added: "Those things are not cheap so now we have got to go and pay for that out of our tax money."
Alan Jones, town clerk at Horley Town Council, said the council had removed the pole and that police had been called.
Anyone with information should call 101.
