POLICE are investigating after a spate of thefts and vandalism of election signs in the hotly-fought Parliamentary contest of Wirral West.

Two “Vote Labour” signs were stolen and more vandalised in recent nights, and Independent candidate David Kirwan’s election van was vandalised.

In one of the most recent incidents, a six foot by four foot Labour sign was stolen from outside the home of Adam Costello, on Saughall Massie Road.

He said he did not believe it was just drunken hi-jinks, and described how his partner, Karan, heard a man and woman in front of their home just before midnight on Tuesday and when Mr Costello – who suffers from MS – got outside, he saw the sign was gone and a blue Nissan Almera speeding away.

Mr Costello said: “It was particularly upsetting – they had come on to our property. For something like this to happen is particularly unpleasant.”

Labour candidate for Wirral West Phil Davies said: "It is so disappointing to see that some people are illegally trespassing and damaging people's property in this way. Whoever the perpetrators are, they must now begin to show respect for fellow residents." Wirral West has been held by Labour since 1997, and this year Phil Davies is aiming to retain the seat against a strong Tory challenge from Esther McVey, who suffered similar problems with her signs being ripped up at the last General Election in 2005. She said: “These types of incidents have no place in a democracy.”