A COUNCIL leader has called for a police presence at polling stations amid threats of ‘knee-cappings’ in the latest twist over alleged electoral malpractice in Pendle.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal claims some residents have been threatened with violence by Conservative activists in the run-up to the May polls, around wards in Nelson and Reedley.

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He has written to the borough’s returning officer, Philip Mousdale, and Lancashire Police, to request a uniformed presence at several polling stations on May 5. Conservatives said they support the call for a police presence at polling stations, but have not been made aware of any specific allegations by Labour regarding the intimidation claims.

Cllr Iqbal said: “I have been inundated with residents’ concerns around the intimidation and bullying taking place already in a number of wards across Nelson and Reedley by Conservative activists.

“Some voters are worried about the pressure being applied on them not to turn up on May 5 if they are not voting Conservative.

“I have asked for a strong police presence in Bradley, Southfield, Walverden and Reedley wards.

"Some residents have been threatened with violence including knee capping and are worried about their families’ safety.”

Russ Tenant, an official with Pendle Labour Party, said: “In Britain there is no place for Mugabe-style politics akin to rogue states in Africa.”

Cllr Paul White, deputy Conservative group leader, said: “No-one has made any specific allegations of intimidation either to ourselves or the returning officer.

"This is something that will not be tolerated by our party in any form.

"We support calls for a police presence at the polling stations, which is something we have asked for in previous years.”

Mr Mousdale, who is Pendle Council’s corporate director and returning officer, said: “I’ve received a request from our leader, Cllr Iqbal, for a police presence at Nelson and Reedley and I’ll be discussing it with the police.”

One of his predecessors, ex-council chief executive Stephen Barnes, called for tighter controls to prevent possible electoral fraud in 2013.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “There will be a police policing plan drawn up for the elections and officers will patrol as normal.

"If there are any specific issues, based on intelligence, then these will be addressed as necessary," he went on to say.