The Security Minister encourages candidates to use support available, including dedicated police officers, during the local election campaign to keep them safe.
Safety advice and security support is available to all elected officials and candidates during the local election campaign period, the Security Minister has said as the pre-election period gets underway. He also warned that in the lead up to polling day on 1 May, harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated.
Abuse of candidates and their teams has increased in recent years, notably at last year's General Election. This has prompted the Security Minister to point to the enhanced measures now in place to keep the risk at this year's local elections low.
For the first time, dedicated police officers 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. FEOAs are responsible for both Operation Bridger (MPs and parliamentary candidates) and Operation Ford.
Now that nominations for candidacy have closed, these advisers are making contact with the returning officers in their region, to encourage them to share
