UNDER-FIRE politicians have called in police after their faces were plastered around Colchester on fake wanted posters.

Lib Dems Theresa Higgins and Martin Goss were targeted in the latest twist in the row over plans to dig up roadside shrubs and rose beds.

Mystery campaigners stuck up posters bearing their photographs and the words “Wanted For Crimes Against Shrubs”.

Mrs Higgins said last night she planned to take examples to Colchester police station, adding: “It is a form of harrassment and a violation of my human rights.

“We live in a democracy and if people want to complain they can do it through the proper channels.”

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Colchester Will Quince, who has publicly condemned the decision to get rid of shrubs, said: “It is not really the sort of thing I would condone as it is targeting individual councillors when the council’s whole cabinet has made this decision.

“However, people do care about the shrubs and they are just making their feelings known.”

Colchester Council has decided to save £17,000 in maintenance costs by grassing over one in five roadside hedges and flower and shrub beds.

Spring bulbs will replace them at many sites and reprieves have been granted for foliage on several plots of land, after it emerged the council did not own them.

Opponents say the scheme amounts to vandalism and have queried how much cash will actually be saved as turf will have to be laid and mown.

The wanted posters appeared at several sites in Mile End, on the Albert roundabout and on the Maldon Road.