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Cardiff council removed some of Plaid Cymru candidate Neil McEvoy ’s campaign boards – because they were on public property.

The city council has instructed their staff to remove any political advertising from communal areas at council properties.

This is understood to have included boards belonging to Plaid Cymru candidate Neil McEvoy.

The Cardiff West candidate and Fairwater councillor called the move “shocking”.

“I was told today by the police who are investigating the thefts that the signs were removed by Cardiff council.”

He said it was “criminal damage” and “theft”

This is how one street looked with the placards

And after they were taken down...

The council is in a “purdah” period, a pre-election period between an announced election and the final election results where restrictions about their activity is in place.

During that time it has instructed staff to remove any posters.

Earlier this week, Plaid Cymru Assembly candidate Neil McEvoy said homes on Gorse Place, Plasbach and Hazel Place, all in the Fairwater area of Cardiff had been targeted and estimated 17 boards had been taken.

A council spokeswoman said: “To maintain neutrality during the pre-election period and in line with guidance to the local authority, caretaking services officers are following clear instructions to remove all political posters, irrespective of party or candidate from communal areas in council properties.

“This includes garden areas in flats, or inside blocks but not individual gardens, regardless of whether it is a council property or not.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said their enquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number *143990.