POLICE had the law laid down to them after being told by Bucks County Council that they could not put up anti-car crime posters as they would be "fly-posting".

Thames Valley Police were told the crime-busting posters could make a mess if they were stuck up on lampposts around Beaconsfield Old Town.

Rob Beckley, former commander of Chiltern Vale Police, explained that they were involved in a blitz on car crime which plagues the town.

He said: "The county council did actually say no to the posters. I think what annoyed us most was that they turned them down without anyone asking what they looked like or how they could help us."

But Margaret Dewar, portfolio holder for community services at the county council, said that she had no objections.

She said: "If we do not work with the police, how can we expect them to work with us? I personally think most residents would be happy to see a blitz on car crime in the Old Town."

Town Mayor Malcolm Dunlop, said: "I picked 58 posters up from the Old Town in one week. They are breeding like rabbits.

"People probably would not blink an eyelid on an estate but Beaconsfield is a conservation area."