Police have apologised for mistakenly pulling down two protest banners outside a Tesco store.


A smaller banner was taken down last week and protesters went and placed two even bigger ones up on Sunday watched by police officers who had no concerns at the time.


Blackburn with Darwen Council staff then took the banners down from the sides of the derelict Duke of Wellington pub, in Crabtree Street, Blackburn yesterday morning at the request of a police officer. 


The banner, placed at the entrance to the main Tesco store calls upon all customers not to buy products from the superstore because they are stocking goods from the occupied lands of Palestine.


Cllr Salim Mulla said he was extremely disappointed to learn of the incident, “We have done no investigation and the banners were ripped down.


“We have a huge responsibility as multi-million organisation to first investigate the issue and then act according to the law.


“This has not happened in this case and I will be looking to see who is exactly responsible.”

 

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A police spokesperson said: “Having received complaints from the public about the banner, a police constable asked the council to remove it. 


“However, the content did not constitute a criminal offence and, with hindsight, we acknowledge that further consultation with the building owner, protest organiser and council should have taken place to find a suitable resolution.” 


Asif Mahmud of Drive For Justice who held a separate boycott protest at the store last week said, “The police have shown a shocking level of incompetence. 


“The owner of the building had clearly given permission to have the boycott Tesco banner displayed and it is a lawful expression of disgust with Tesco.
“It's hard to believe this was some administrative cock up. 


“A full investigation should take place and a full unreserved apology to everyone who supports the Boycott Tesco campaign must be made.”

 

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Now, it has been revealed two new banners will go up tonight at 6pm after police agreed to reimburse the costs.


A Tesco spokesperson said last week, "Like all major UK retailers, we sell some products that are sourced from Israel.


"We do this in line with Government guidance on trade with Israel, and we mark all products clearly with the country of origin, so customers can make informed choices about what to buy.”