Campaigners hit out after Yes signs trashed by vandals

Culprits have struck at least six times, stealing three Yes signs in Berwickshire, damaging a horsebox with a pro-independence message on it south of Jedburgh, and wrecking two signs in Peebles and Walkerburn. In one case, the perpetrators used a hammer or a mallet to inflict damage before throwing the remains onto a main road.

A local Yes supporter told The Southern: “They battered the sign with a mallet or sledgehammer to get it out, and then threw it onto the A72. I actually heard them, but when I got out they had made off. We managed to get the sign back off the road and over the wall to avoid what could potentially have been a really nasty accident.”

Commenting on the behaviour, the Borders chair of the Yes campaign, Calum Kerr, said: “This is the biggest decision we have ever taken in this country. It’s important that people are able to show their support without fear of criminal damage to, or theft from, their property.

“I call upon Better Together to condemn this activity, which we know is from a minority, but is becoming far too common an occurrence.

“If these people are so convinced of their case, I don’t understand why they don’t put it to the people of the Borders instead of getting involved in this childish, and in some cases dangerous, behaviour.

“We have always been open to debate in front of any audience at any time and place in the Borders.

“If anyone would like a local meeting or to talk to someone in their area, I would urge them to get in touch.”