Ellie Ames 21 October 2024

One in five councillors threatened with violence

One in five councillors threatened with violence image
Image: fizkes / Shutterstock.com

More than a fifth of councillors in a new Local Government Association (LGA) survey said they had received a threat of violence in their role.

The LGA research received 1,734 responses from councillors in England and Wales, with 22% reporting that they had been threatened with violence, of which 23% said they received a death threat.

Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents said they had suffered abuse that was serious enough to report to the police.

Overall, 73% of council members reported experiencing abuse or intimidation in their role in the past year.

Councillors also reported that abuse, threats and misinformation online had put them off using social media or engaging with online debate.

The chair of the LGA’s civility in public life steering group, Marianne Overton, 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.

‘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.’

The LGA has called on the Government to allow councillors to withhold their addresses from publication and to establish a cross-Whitehall unit to monitor and address the abuse of locally elected politicians and candidates.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner