Sheffield Greens brand attacks on campaign signs outside homes an “attack on democracy”
The Greens says they will be putting staked outdoor signs back up and ”encouraging people to show their support”
Sheffield Green Party says a spate of vandalism targeting its campaign signs in several city wards are “attacking democracy”.
Ten party signs outside homes in the Ecclesall ward have been smashed, according to members - with photos showing one with just jagged shards remaining attached to its post.
As well as in Ecclesall it is understood there have been attacks in parts of Sheffield as far away as Burngreave.
The Greens candidate for Ecclesall, Tessa Lupton, said those responsible are “attacking democracy”.
She said: “It’s part of our freedom of speech to be able to say we support the Green party. These signs are a way of people showing their public support.
They are at people's homes, in gardens, attached to gates. They are part of the democratic process around elections and attacking them is attacking democracy.
She said she is “fairly sure that this is politically motivated criminal behaviour”.
She added: “It shouldn’t be happening and it needs to stop now.”
Ecclesall resident Simon Reynell described the vandalism of his Greens sign as “distressing”.
He added: “It feels like they are trying to intimidate us, but we have made a home-made replacement.
“We are not going to be bullied out of expressing support for the party we’ve chosen.”
The Greens says they will be putting staked outdoor signs back up and ”encouraging people to show their support” through both outdoor signs and window posters.