From December 15, 2004 Controversy erupted at Christmastime 10 years ago when a mysterious campaign group threatened mass disruption to fight a decision that had hit the vulnerable in the pocket.

The Combat for Care group said it was prepared to do whatever it took, regardless of the consequences, to overturn a Kingston Council decision to introduce means-tested charging for disabled people’s homecare, especially the elderly.

But the organisation was slammed by the council and a pensioners’ group for its hardline stance.

Combat for Care’s catchphrase was “working in anonymity for a better tomorrow”. But a named spokesman, Dr Leonard Fevour, said it might attempt to collapse computer systems used by the council to collect council tax and parking fines, as well as disrupting council meetings.

He said the group had 200 supporters nationally and that it started in northern England some two years previously.

He said: “We work undercover to highlight injustice to the most vulnerable groups in society and want to gather support from people of all ages.

“The disabled and elderly are victimised. For them to be means-tested for care on top of their council tax is very sinister.

“Other organisations are conducting very low-key campaigns. But we are much more heavy-handed.”

The cost of enforcing the system would cancel out any extra revenue, he said. He added: “We promise Kingston Council an inconceivable war that will leave it no choice but to revoke this immoral policy.”

A spokesman for the Pensioners’ Forum said: “I wouldn’t have anything to do with an organisation working anonymously.

“There are tried and tested legal methods of bringing about change and I wouldn’t want anyone to get involved in civil disobedience on my behalf. All that does is get people’s backs up.”

50 YEARS AGO: December 16, 1964 Plans for a six-storey office block on the site of the old Granada Cinema in Cromwell Road were thrown out for a second time.

An appeal by Granada Properties was formed part of the Kingston Master Plan inquiry.

25 YEARS AGO: December 15, 1989 Burger wars loomed in Kingston town centre with two chains facing off in Eden Street.

McDonald’s was reported to be eyeing the old Sheraton site, and would compete with the recently-opened Burger King, on the former Wimpy site.

10 YEARS AGO: December 15, 2004 A senior British diplomat who hailed from Worcester Park was honoured for his work helping to rebuild Iraq after the invasion. Paul Harvey, 49, was named a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.