Melb thieves may think Torres flag Muslim

Thieves who keep stealing a Torres Strait Islander flag in Melbourne may think it's Arabic.

Banyule Council has replaced the flag five times in the past two years at a park in Heidelberg West - and suspects' ignorance may be at the heart of the thefts.

Neither of the other two flags that fly in the park - the Australian flag and Aboriginal flag - has gone missing.

Council spokeswoman Fiona Athersmith told AAP the council would be putting up signage in the hope that it educates the person who keeps stealing the flag.

"We don't know whether the person, or people, just like the look of it or because they think it is Muslim or Arabic," she said.

That theory came about after Mayor Craig Langdon received an anonymous call last year during which the caller insisted - despite the mayor's protests - the flag was Arabic.

"I said of course I was proud of the flags and she said we don't like the Arabic flag," Mr Langdon told the Heidleberg Leader online.

Mr Langdon said he doesn't think people realise Australia has three flags but is hopeful stickers on the flagpole and new signs will educate people.

"Unless the reason they're stealing it is because they like green and blue flags - but I'm hoping it gets the message across," he told AAP.

THE FLAG

- designed by Thursday Island resident Bernard Namok in 1992

- proclaimed an official flag of Australia in 1995

- a white dhari (dancer's headdress) in centre of flag represents the Torres Strait Islander people

- five-pointed star represents navigation and the Strait's five island groups.