Councillors report receiving death threats

According to a survey from the LGA, more than a fifth of councillors have received death threats or threats of violence.

23 per cent of councillors have received abuse serious enough to report to the police.

The survey forms part of the LGA's Debate Not Hate campaign.

49 per cent of respondents said that abuse had got worse over the past year.

One in 10 councillors had had someone attend their home in a way that they considered intimidating, and as well as this, 43 per cent requested to withhold their home address from the public due to safety concerns.

The LGA is urging the Government to make changes to improve councillors' safety, such as allowing councillors to withhold their addresses from publication and establishing a permanent cross-Whitehall unit to monitor, assess and address abuse, intimidation and safety of locally elected politicians and candidates.

Cllr Marianne Overton, Chair of the LGA’s Civility in Public Life Steering Group, said: “These results are troubling – not only do they highlight the concerns for the safety and wellbeing of councillors, but show how violence and intimidation can be corrosive to our democracy as they discourage people from taking up public office and from speaking fairly on vital issues.

“People must be able to represent their communities safely and without fear. We need cohesive communities that can debate differences in peace.  Poor behaviour doesn't just impact the individual, it hurts everyone in communities, reducing the opportunity for open debate on important local issues. This has got to stop.

“We need Government to act decisively to ensure high levels of abuse do not become an accepted part of public life and that councillors are safe and confident as they carry out their vital elected role – working to represent their communities.”