Security Stepped Up For Local Election Candidates In Wake of "Unacceptable" Rising Abuse
2 min read
Local election candidates have received more security protection in the wake of rising abuse at the last general election.
Operation Ford, the new security scheme, is providing additional support for candidates, including dedicated police officers in every force tasked with keeping them safe. This is the first time every police force will have a full-time officer providing safety briefings for local candidates.
Two Reform candidates standing in the local elections told PoliticsHome they have faced death threats and serious abuse during the course of the campaign. Both candidates running in the North of England have reported threats to the police through Operation Ford.
It is an expansion of Operation Bridger, which was introduced for the first time last year ahead of the general election to protect MPs and parliamentary candidates.
The security minister Dan Jarvis made the decision to introduce increased protections after “unacceptable” harassment and intimidation at the last general election. Nigel Farage was the victim of physical abuse throughout the campaign and some candidates chose not to appear at public meetings over safety fears. Constituency offices were also vandalised at a time of heightened tensions over the war in Gaza.
Jarvis told PoliticsHome: “Let me be crystal clear, this government will not stand for it. Candidates should feel safe, and we are determined to crack down on the abuse of those who put themselves forward for election.”
The security minister has instructed police to “use the powers available to them” to protect the safety of candidates during these local elections.
“Those candidates who constantly demonise their opponents, who make false accusations against them, and who whip up mobs to target them, cannot be surprised when those individuals subsequently face online abuse, death threats or worse. So I would urge all candidates who face these issues to reflect on whether they are currently part of the solution, or part of the problem."
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “Harassment of campaigners and candidates of any political stripes is wrong. While it's concerning that measures like these need to be put in place, it's good to see the government taking this seriously."
