Police investigating alleged removal of Geelong independent Darryn Lyons’ election signage

POLICE are investigating after a man was photographed removing Geelong state election candidate Darryn Lyons’ campaign signs.

Former Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons, who's running as an independent in next month's state election. Picture: Tim Carrafa

POLICE are investigating after a man was photographed removing campaign signs for Geelong state election candidate Darryn Lyons.

Images seen by the Geelong Advertiser appear to show a man, wearing a hi-vis vest, taking down signs encouraging locals to vote for Mr Lyons, who is running as an independent in the November 24 election.

The photographs are understood to have been taken in Newtown yesterday morning.

A car belonging to the man in the photographs can also be seen with Mr Lyons’ signage folded in the rear seat.

A man is seen allegedly taking down promotional posters for independent candidate Darryn Lyons on Thursday, October 25. Picture: Submitted

Acting Superintendent Graham Banks last night confirmed police were investigating the incident, which he said could lead to theft charges being laid.

Mr Lyons, who served as Geelong’s mayor between 2013 and 2016, said the images were captured by supporters of his campaign.

He said dozens of promotional signs had been removed around Geelong — including from his own property — between Wednesday night and yesterday morning.

“I’m disgusted. It’s a huge job to go around and get them back up,” Mr Lyons said.

It is understood police took statements from Mr Lyons’ campaign team yesterday afternoon.

The incident comes days after Mr Lyons accused “thugs” of hammering screws into the tyres of his campaign bus.

In a video posted to Twitter on Saturday, the 53-year-old said whoever was responsible was “an absolute disgrace to our society”.

Mr Lyons said the suspected targeting of him was increasingly frustrating.

“It’s terribly dirty, undemocratic and it’s dangerous,” he said.

The former paparazzi boss is attempting to topple Geelong state Labor MP Christine Couzens at the election.

Ms Couzens holds the seat with a 6 per cent margin.

A three-cornered contest also sees Liberal candidate Freya Fidge vying to win the seat for her party for the first time since 1999.

Originally published as Police investigating alleged removal of Geelong independent Darryn Lyons’ election signage