Man arrested on eve of this year’s city council election

POLICE investigating alleged electoral fraud arrested a man on the eve of the Peterborough City Council elections.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police said: “The man was arrested at an address in Peterborough on Wednesday afternoon.

“A 31-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to commit fraud and is currently in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station.”

A city council spokeswoman added: “We received an elections-related complaint and passed the information onto the police for further investigation and therefore cannot comment further at this time.

“We are working very hard with the police to minimise the risks of election fraud, and want to ensure everyone in Peterborough is able to freely use their vote without fear or intimidation.”

Polling stations all over the city are open from 7am until 10pm today as constituents from 19 wards decide who they want to represent them on the council.

Gillian Beasley, the council’s returning officer, said: “It’s important that people use their vote and have their say in who represents them on the city council. Councillors make important decisions that effect everyone, every day of their life and the local elections are part of that democratic process.

“I would urge anyone who has a vote to use it and make their mark in Peterborough.”

You will be able to follow all the updates from Town Hall from the ET’S live blog, which will be on www. peterboroughtoday. co.uk from 8pm tonight.

Updates will also be tweeted through the night by reporters Matt Reville (@Et_reville), John Baker (@Jpbaker) and Ben Truslove (@Etbentruslove).

You can see where your polling station is at www. peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ elections, where there is also a comprehensive spotlight on all 68 candidates.