A London council has been forced to review its security and access arrangements after council staff and councillors were subject to aggression and abuse from protestors.
Lambeth Council has reported several incidents of ‘disruptive, abusive and intimidating’ behaviour at council meetings by a ‘small hardcore group’.
One planning officer was followed and heckled on their way home from a public meeting, while councillors have had plastic eyes thrown at them with chants of ‘we’re watching you’.
Leader of Lambeth Council, Lib Peck, said: 'It is a very sad state of affairs when public servants are abused simply for doing their job.
'Lambeth is a borough with very strong communities, huge diversity and a high level of political engagement, that is one of the things that makes Lambeth such a special place. Most people coming to public meetings do so to engage and debate peacefully. However a small hardcore mob seem intent on disruptive, aggressive behaviour and it simply will not be tolerated.'
The council will now review arrangements for public meetings in the future in consultation with the police, who have been forced to attend meetings in recent months.
