Ahead of upcoming local elections, there's concern for their well-being. The UK government has allocated £31 million for the protection of elected representatives.

Heather Williams encountered a death threat before winning her council seat in South Cambridgeshire, with further harassment following her election.

She has since implemented security measures for her and her daughter. A staggering 82% of council members report feeling at risk at times, up from 73% the previous year.

Bedfordshire's police and crime commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye, has faced harrowing racial abuse and harassment, spending significant sums on security measures and expressing concern about the fine line between scrutiny and harassment.

The government's funding aims to enhance police liaison and cybersecurity support for elected officials. There are also calls for better regulation of online spaces, with the Online Safety Act introduced to foster safer internet interactions.

Despite the abuse, some officials, like Peter McDonald of South Cambridgeshire, note that while most interactions with the public are positive, there are always a few threatening responses, especially related to contentious issues.

Local leaders hope for increased public understanding of their roles and respectful online engagement, although the abuse may deter many from pursuing political careers.