DOZENS of Liberal Democrat banners and signs have been stolen from people’s front gardens and private land.

Richard Burt, the party’s candidate for West Worcestershire, said 10 foot long banners and large boards had been removed from a variety of locations in Malvern, Tenbury Wells, Hallow and Rushwick at the weekend.

The thefts have been brought to the attention of the constituency’s returning officer and the police. Both confirmed they had received reports about the thefts.

Mr Burt said: “It’s very disappointing that the election campaign, which is in full swing now and has got everybody engaged in it, has started to be soured by theft and vandalism.”

Mr Burt said that given the fact that boards and banners were stolen from a variety of locations in a short space of time meant he was not taking this weekend’s events lightly.

“There definitely seems to have been a concerted effort this weekend to steal Liberal Democrat posters from across the constituency. This is not just the usual Saturday night prank.

“Clearly people have come prepared, cut ties and taken boards away.

“Some people have had their gardens trampled on.

“It places us in a difficult situation and has cost us hundreds of pounds because we are struggling to replace the ones stolen and taken away.”

Mr Burt said his party has about 1,000 signs, posters and banners on display across the constituency, so he is asking people to be on their guard.

“We are just asking anybody who has got posters to be vigilant and report to us if they see anybody interfering with any Liberal Democrat posters around the area,” he said.

A Malvern Hills District Council spokesman said: “We are aware of complaints that some Liberal Democrat election posters have disappeared over the weekend and understand the matter has been reported to the police.

“It’s not something over which the returning officer has any direct control, and there is no indication as to who has done it but we would ask everyone to respect the fact that election posters are an important part of election campaigns and not to remove or deface them, regardless of which candidate they support.”

The West Worcestershire seat is also being contested by Harriett Baldwin (Conservative), Penny Barber (Labour), Caroline Bovey (UKIP) and Malcolm Victory (Green Party).