Cheshire East councillors faced ‘stalking and death threats’

About a third of councillors on one council have considered quitting over abuse or harassment, according to a report.

Stalking, physical violence and damage to vehicles were among some of the incidents reported by some members of Cheshire East Council.

Two-thirds of the authority’s councillors responded to its survey, with 35% of those saying they had considered standing down because of harassment or intimidation.

The study found that 22% of them had experienced a threat of violence, 6% had received death threats and 4% had experienced physical violence in their role.

The report will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday (6 August).

The survey was commissioned after a meeting of the authority’s corporate policy group said it recognised abuse, harassment and intimidation of councillors was rising.

A task group was set up to look into the issue and the group’s chair, Fiona Wilson, said some of the responses to the survey were “alarming”.

The group also said it was “disappointed and concerned” about the number of councillors considering leaving their roles.

A total of 55 councillors completed the survey, and just over half of those who responded were female.

Although most said they never or rarely felt at risk in their roles as councillors, 82% said they had experienced harassment or intimidation.

It also said that 82% of the harassment was on social media, with 62% in person, 51% via email and 20% over the phone.

Those who responded also reported the types of abuse they had faced, with some reporting their private information being placed on public websites or forums, privacy being invaded at home or other private places and damage to their cars or property.

There were three reports of physical attacks and three of being stalked or followed.

There were individual reports of protests at members’ homes and malicious or dangerous items being sent to councillors.

Councillors were also asked their views on the arrangements made for their protection, with more than half feeling the council’s arrangements were ineffective.

The task group has recommended lone-working personal safety devices be considered for councillors who wished to have them, as well as de-escalation training.

Councillors will also be asked to appoint a nominated officer for dealing with abuse and agree for the council to reaffirm its commitment to the Local Government Association’s Debate not Hate campaign.