Local election candidates encouraged use security support

The security minister has urged local election candidates to take advantage of the security support on offer.

Safety advice and security support is available to all elected officials and candidates during the local election campaign period.

Abuse directed at candidates and their teams has increased in recent years, most notably at last year's General Election.

For the first time, dedicated police officers are are in place in all forces across the country, offering a specialised network of expertise and support to local election candidates.

Under Operation Ford, metropolitan mayors, local councillors, police and crime commissioners, and those standing for election in those roles will have access to Force Elected-Official Advisers (FEOAs) within their local police force who will provide briefings on personal safety throughout the campaign period.

Candidates are also access a range of security advice and guidance online, recently updated ahead of this year’s local election campaign period. Expertise has been provided across the security community from the police, the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre and others, to help candidates implement personal protective security measures.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said: "Our elections remain safe, secure, free and fair – a fact we should be proud of, but can never take for granted. This government has put protecting our national security at the forefront of our Plan for Change and protecting our democratic freedoms is part of this. The harassment and intimidation of candidates and campaigners is completely unacceptable.  

"To those campaigning now, support is available to maximise your safety whilst you go about campaigning and talking to voters.

"My message to those who cross the line from free speech to harassment is simple – it will not be tolerated."

Minister for democracy Rushanara Ali said: "I know from experience candidates can be subject to terrible harassment and intimidation. This is completely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate our democracy being undermined.

"We are working with the Electoral Commission, the police and other partners to take concrete action to tackle this behaviour in order to keep candidates safe."