CREWE BLOG on the by-election

Shame, really, as around 20 reporters, film and camera crews had gathered outside the Crewe police station to see Edward Timpson and Conservative leader David Cameron emerge after a meeting with local Crewe officers.

Instead, the Crewe and Nantwich by-election candidate and, ultimately, his boss had to leave via the side door because a hoodie rent-a-crowd arrived with placards and a menacing attitude.

It's laughable, especially outside a police station, but you never know if one of the crowd might be carrying a weapon. Take no chances.