Bedroom tax protestors hit councillors with 'eviction notices'

Bedroom tax protestors have hit the homes of Poole councillors with 'eviction notices' and police tape.

Only Conservative members of Borough of Poole Council were targeted in the protest, which is being investigated by the police.

Protestors strung police crime incident tape across driveways and posted fake eviction notices mentioning the bedroom tax through letterboxes, the Bournemouth Echo reported.

Councillors were also posted 'evidence bags' containing cotton buds soaked in fake blood.

Cllr Mike White received a package containing a picture of former Tory prime minister Margaret Thatcher wiping a tear from her eye, along with a cotton-bud in a bag with “Crime number Thatcher 666” written on it.

Cllr White said that he "had some quite nasty, almost sick, material left on my doorstep and put through my door,” that was “thoroughly unpleasant".

Protest group Bournemouth Uncut has claimed responsibility for the stunt.

On its Facebook page, the group said: "We stand by our action, people are having their lives destroyed by bedroom tax while millionaires are receiving tax cuts from this coalition government of millionaires. Thanks for the publicity Cllr Mike White and Bournemouth Echo. We will continue to fight back, see you on the streets."

Cllr Elaine Atkinson, the council’s leader, told the Bournemouth Echo: “I don’t know what they hope to achieve.

“That kind of intimidation makes people afraid of potential escalation.”

Chief Inspector Jared Parkin of Poole police said: “This is a very serious matter and all the incidents are being thoroughly investigated.

“I urge witnesses and anyone with information to come forward and contact Dorset Police in the strictest confidence on 101.”

A post on Bournemouth Uncut's Facebook page from 27 March requested councillors' addresses. It read: "We need addresses. Who lives where? Local MPs that voted for the bedroom tax for example? Any local millionaires that you know of? If you can think of anything or anyone, please do let us know!"