A Bedfordshire safety consultant has been teaching councillors how to defend themselves in the lead up to local elections.
Miranda Smythe, an experienced safety consultant, has partnered with former policeman Ian Kirke, to deliver online sessions aimed at defusing conflict and how to react to violent situations.
It follows concerns that politicians face a rising tide of threats, abuse and even violence while canvassing on the doorstep.
Ms Smythe said that she feels politicians face an increasingly hostile reception, with strong feelings often spilling out into threats or abuse.
She said: “One councillor I was in touch with recently quit, that was his response to an incident where he was pushed over and he hurt his leg very badly.
“I thought that was a real shame because he’d been there for quite a long time, and it was a very isolated incident, but I think it for him, it just left such a mark, that he felt that he lost all his confidence, and it was impossible to continue.”
She added: “There are a couple of councillors that I’ve met that take a very much bring it on approach to social media…but the majority of councillors that I see are actually quite distressed at the abuse, they don’t laugh it off.
“They don’t see it as being funny. Particularly when they or their family are being threatened. I know a lot of councillors that have come off social media.”
Sir David Amess
The sessions are being run by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), a think tank and membership group which lobbies on council issues.
Abuse against politicians has been in the news recently following the death of Sir David Amess in October last year after he was stabbed while holding a surgery in his constituency.
Dozens of council candidates have so far taken part in online sessions run by Miranda and Ian.
While candidates can sometimes expect lively debates while speaking to voters, ex-cop Mr Kirke said that a small, but increasing, number of candidates are facing unacceptable violence.
“There is a lot of anger out there.
“Elected members and officers who represent the councils are going to be in the crosshairs and I’m genuinely worried.”
As well as his role as a trainer, Mr Kirke, originally from Nottingham, is currently a Conservative councillor representing Bullbrook on Bracknell Forest Council in Berkshire.
“I always remember very early on, I knocked on the door and once the door opened the waft of cannabis that came out nearly overtook me.
“Then the guy was telling me about how the CIA were after him, but he would vote for me. So there are some peculiar people out there.”
Mr Kirke, who was an inspector before leaving the police in 2005 after 21 years, said he’s passing on the tips that police use to stop heated arguments turning violent.
He added: “We look at a very straightforward disengagement tactic, verbal judo, which is shouting really, really loudly and running.
“You’re using the adrenaline rush of the other person to your advantage, they will freeze for a moment, not so you can get a leaflet out, but so you can run. And that’s exactly what the police do before they draw the baton.”
There is also a physical side but people taking part in the course haven’t been learning complex martial arts.
Mr Kirke added, “we’re not turning attendees into ninja turtles, it’s not all this sort of karate stuff, because I couldn’t do that. It’s very, very straightforward.”
While there is a lack of statistics about the impact of abuse, anecdotally there is concern that it’s causing some councillors to step down or refuse to stand again.
The LGIU has already trained dozens of candidates across the UK but is also looking to expand its service for future elections.
by Emily Craigie Local Democracy Reporter
and Bedford Independent’s Paul Hutchinson
