A CRACKDOWN on illegal advertising boards on Pendle's pavements which angered traders across the borough was carried out 'like a Gestapo raid,' according to a leading councillor.

Liberal Tony Greaves has demanded a full report on the operation to confiscate 'A-boards' from outside shops.

Pendle Council staff, acting on behalf of the county council and backed by police officers, carried away offending boards and told traders they would have to pay £50 and promise not to put them on the pavement again to get them back.

"It seems the operation was more like a Gestapo raid or highway robbery than the actions of a caring council which respects its citizens," said Coun Greaves. "At the best, it was ill-advised and ham-fisted. This may be the way the Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council wants to treat people, but it is not what we expect from Pendle Council officials."

Coun Greaves has written to the police asking why they allocated scarce police time to the operation. "The presence of police can only have been designed to intimidate people," he said. "Was this not an embarrassing waste of police time and resources?"

The deputy leader of Pendle Council has also written to its chief executive, Stephen Barnes, asking a list of questions about the operation.

These included who gave it the go-ahead, what action is being taken to investigate complaints that the operation was carried out in a rude and abusive manner, and why advance notice was not given to all traders.

"It is already very obvious that a lot that went on was disgraceful and unacceptable," Coun Greaves added. "It is very clear that the instigator was the county council, but a lot of questions have to be asked about the involvement of Pendle staff.

"At the very least, it seems likely that apologies will have to be made to a lot of people."

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