12:00pm Friday 30th April 2010
By Mike Wilkinson
Election posters have been defaced with racist comments and stolen from gardens in the Chippenham constituency.
Conservative posters have been marked with graffiti aimed at black candidate Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, who refers to himself as the Black Farmer.
Another sign described Tory leader David Cameron as a “toff” and encouraged people to vote Lib Dem.
Dirk Russell, election agent for Mr Emmanuel-Jones, said: “We have reported these incidents to the police and they have told us that they will keep an eye on the situation.”
The Liberal Democrats also say their posters were removed along the A4 near Corsham and across Chippenham and Melksham.
Edward James, of Lacock Road, Corsham, said two Lib Dem posters were broken from stakes in his garden.
Mr James, 76, said: “I replaced with them an even bigger 4ft square poster which was also stolen.
“At first I thought maybe it was just youngsters messing around, but this one was huge and would have needed two people to remove – not to mention how you would transport something like that.
“I am waiting for a new sign but I’m thinking to take it down every evening.”
Jack Barker, from the Liberal Democrats, said: “They have taken down too many of our big posters along the A4 for this not be organised.
“We have had posters taken down all across Chippenham and Melksham."
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