The government has committed an additional £31 million to protect
the UK’s democratic processes from disruption and provide new
security provisions to elected representatives over the next
year.
The investment will be used to enhance police capabilities,
increase private sector security provisions for those facing a
higher risk, and to expand cyber security advice to locally
elected representatives.
It will also ensure all elected representatives and candidates
have a dedicated named police contact to liaise with on security
matters, significantly expanding the support provided under
current policing arrangements.
Home Secretary will hold a roundtable with
police chiefs today (Wednesday, 28 February) to discuss what more
can be done to better ensure the safety and security of elected
representatives and protect democratic processes from
intimidation, disruption or subversion.
The government recognises the importance of upholding the UK’s
democratic processes following the impact of the ongoing
Israel-Hamas conflict and in advance of a general
election.
Home Secretary
said:
The government will take every possible step to safeguard the
people, processes and institutions upon which our democracy
relies.
I take the safety and security of all members of the House with
the utmost seriousness. None of us should have to accept
that enduring hate crimes, harassment, or threats is part of the
job.
I will continue to work closely with my police counterparts to
provide elected representatives with the support they need.
Security Minister said:
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen disgraceful attempts to
intimidate MPs and undermine our democratic processes.
That behaviour is a threat to our democracy, and toxic for our
society.
We will do whatever is necessary to protect those who’ve been
elected to represent their local communities, and to defend our
democratic freedoms.
As part of the additional funding announced today, a new
communities fund will be established to support the deployment of
additional police patrols each week in England and Wales, in
response to increased community tensions.
Local police forces will be able to draw upon the fund to surge
policing presence in local areas in response to specific events.
This will increase support available to vulnerable communities,
bolstering police visibility, and increasing public
confidence.
The UK’s protective security system has undergone significant
reform in recent years, most notably following the murders of
and , with the latter resulting in
the MP security review.
Improvements made under the review include the delivery of
enhanced security advice and training, substantive improvements
to existing security measures at Members’ homes and offices, and
the delivery of new security measures including the deployment of
additional private sector delivered protective security.
Parliament, police, and the Home Office will continue to improve,
adapt, and deliver security and risk reduction measures, as MPs
and elected representatives’ requirements develop.
