Police offered support to tackle rising threats against MPs

New Initiative to Address Surge in Attacks on Elected Officials

A national democracy protection unit has been established to provide specialist aid to police forces, addressing the sharp increase in crimes against Members of Parliament. Chris Balmer, head of police, has been assigned the role of leading this effort, focusing on investigating and responding to “anti-democratic acts.”

Threats and Crime Trends

Statistics reveal a significant rise in alleged offenses targeting MPs, with reports nearly doubling since 2019 and reaching 976 in 2025. The spike is attributed to harassment, vandalism, and lethal threats, though physical violence remains less frequent. Notably, death threats increased from 31 in 2024 to 50 in 2025, according to data shared with the BBC.

“The scale, variety, and frequency of threats against elected officials have reached historic levels,” stated Security Minister Dan Jarvis, who announced Balmer’s appointment as the national police lead for democratic defense.

MPs’ Experiences with Threats

Labour MP Sam Rushworth faced persistent death threats from a devoted constituent, prompting him to enhance home security with panic buttons and cameras. These threats escalated in 2024, when Benjamin Clarke, a former social media user, targeted Rushworth with online abuse and vowed to burn his house down. Clarke received an 18-month sentence in May 2025 and died in prison shortly after.

“My wife asked if we could relocate, and my children questioned whether I should switch jobs,” Rushworth reflected on the personal toll of the threats.

Another Labour MP, Natalie Fleet, described receiving daily death threats, which grew more intense after a social media post calling for her to be “shot” gained traction. The post, shared by Simon Evans of Lancashire County Council, prompted Fleet to contact police, as the threats became more graphic. “I’ve never engaged with the police as extensively as I have in this role,” she noted, highlighting the burden of constant vigilance.

Historical Context and Funding

Security measures for MPs have expanded since the 2016 killing of Jo Cox and the 2021 murder of Sir David Amess. Operation Bridger, launched in 2016, has provided enhanced protection for MPs’ residences and constituency offices. Security spending rose to £4.2m in 2017/18, a 60% increase from the prior year, and has remained elevated compared to pre-2016 levels.

The Democracy Protection Portfolio, managed by Balmer, will operate under the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), uniting law enforcement leaders across the UK. This structure aims to streamline responses to threats while ensuring alignment with the evolving nature of anti-democratic crimes.