General Election: No enhanced security for most candidates
Candidates and their teams are being urged to remain vigilant when campaigning in public areas over the coming weeks.
Wednesday 26 April 2017 23:28, UK
Most candidates running in the General Election will have little in the way of enhanced protection during the campaign unless they raise specific concerns with the police, security sources have told Sky News.
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) says it is writing to all of the country's MPs and setting out crucial security advice and guidance in the run-up to 8 June.
Although there is no direct intelligence of election-related threats, there is an increasing sense of nervousness among authorities in the wake of the terror attack in Westminster and last week's shooting of police officers in Paris ahead of the French presidential elections.
The NPCC, which represents all 43 police forces in England and Wales, said: "Where particular concerns are raised local police will work with constituency offices to review security and put in place appropriate measures.
"This vigilance message applies to all of the candidates and their team members who will be out campaigning over the coming weeks."
Security surrounding the Prime Minister and other senior political figures has been visibly enhanced since the Westminster attack.
Theresa May has signalled her determination to join the campaign trail and canvass in local communities.
Although this brings extra risks, the Prime Minister will at least have added protection. Most other candidates will not.
The MP for East Kilbride, Lisa Cameron, was subjected to death threats last year. She said they had spurred her into making sure she and her colleagues take "sensible precautions" as they begin their campaigns.
"There are vulnerabilities and you have to be able to be aware and acknowledge that, once you've got that insight you can be aware of risk management," she said.
"Given the incidents that have occurred, those types of interactions are going to have to be done in a way to minimise risk. You can't totally eradicate risk but it should never stop MPs or candidates engaging with constituents."
The murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in her West Yorkshire constituency last year led to a reappraisal of security.
Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, has also suffered death threats in the past year - and said there was always an element of risk in an open democracy but that extremists should not be allowed to win.
She said: "We have been given extra advice on carrying lone worker devices when we are out and about, and yes, that risk increases when we are out in the constituency.
"One of the things about democracy is about being in touch directly with people."
Former Scotland Yard firearms officer Roger Gray said the recent events in Westminster and Paris will certainly have focused the minds of the police and security officials as the UK's election gets under way.
He added: "What we saw just a few weeks ago was dreadful but it's very difficult to calculate for. One thing we do have in the run-up to the election is heightened awareness, so if something happens it won't be a complete bolt from the blue as that was. And the public will be vital in helping the authorities track any potential risk."
Chief constables are currently liaising with politicians who have had threats in the past, and all candidates are being urged to ensure police know about their planned events.