BROMYARD businessmen Nick Cronin was warned by police after putting up a notice condemning vandals who smashed his shop window as "scum".

Mr Cronin, of Microprint, put up a sign saying 'Why bother going abroad? Let the scum of Bromyard bring Baghdad to your doorstep', after vandals smashed his shop windows on Saturday.

He was amazed when community support of Fiona Witcher told him the poster could breach the same public order legislation that was used to confiscate the gollies from Pettifers.

CSO Witcher did not demand Mr Cronin, who is a town councillor, take the notice down, but advised him to remove it.

"I want people to see exactly how I'm feeling. I think we should stand up for ourselves," he said.

Insp Bob Barnett, of North Herefordshire Police, said the poster breached the law because it could be deemed offensive to Bromyard residents.

Mr Cronin said the message clearly referred to the 'scum' of Bromyard, not the townspeople in general and believes he was reflecting many residents' views.

Insp Barnett said: "He may have a reasonable view to put up the sign in his own mind, but he can't take the law into his own hands."

Mr Cronin said this was an admission the police were incapable of doing the job they were paid to do.

The windows of Microprint in Old Road, were smashed shortly after 2am on Saturday, March 11.

Just minutes before, a blue Ford Mondeo parked in New Road was kicked several times. The repairs will cost £1,000.

Police are looking for three people who were seen in the area at the time.

The first was a short stocky male with short spikey hair and a 'podgy' face, wearing glasses, a white jumper with stripes down the side who may have been carrying lager.

The second is a woman with long blonde hair, wearing black trousers and a full-length black coat that had a fur-lined hood.

The third person was a fairly tall man wearing light-coloured jeans, a dark blue top with light stripes on the sleeves, a white shirt with the collar turned up and a dark baseball cap. He seemed drunk and was seen heading towards the yard of the pet food store while the others headed uphill.

Anyone with information should contact PC Jill Richardson at Bromyard Police Station on 08457 444888 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.