British police forces are receiving specialized assistance from a newly established national democracy protection unit to address the escalating wave of threats and abuse targeting Members of Parliament. Reports of criminal acts against MPs have surged dramatically, more than doubling since 2019 to approach 1,000 incidents last year.
"The volume, breadth and tempo of threats against elected representatives is unprecedented," Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated last month.
Police chief Chris Balmer has been appointed to lead this initiative, focusing on investigating what authorities term "anti-democratic crimes." His responsibilities include coordinating intelligence on political threats, advising regional forces on categorizing these offenses, and providing expert support to investigators.
Data obtained by the BBC reveals MPs reported 4,064 crimes to the Metropolitan Police's Parliamentary Liaison Team between 2019 and 2025. The figures show a consistent year-on-year increase, with 976 alleged offenses recorded in 2025 compared to 364 in 2019.
The most common complaints involved malicious communications (2,066 incidents over six years), followed by harassment and criminal property damage. Death threats specifically rose to 50 reports in 2025, up from 31 the previous year. While physical violence reports remained relatively low, they peaked during the 2024 general election year with 14 alleged assaults.
Security measures have expanded significantly since the murders of Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021. Operation Bridger, launched in 2016, provides MPs with enhanced security for their homes and constituency offices. Security spending reached £4.2 million in 2017/18—a 60% increase from the previous year—and has remained elevated compared to pre-2016 levels.
Despite these measures, parliamentarians argue more protection is needed. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, sister of the late Jo Cox, expressed concern that nearly a decade after her sister's murder, "we're probably in a worse place."
"I think what we also have to acknowledge is that this is a political problem, it's a problem for our democracy," Leadbeater told BBC Radio 4. "But I do think there's a broader problem for our society as well in terms of how we are able to listen to each other."
The personal toll on politicians and their families has become increasingly severe. Labour MP Sam Rushworth recently enhanced security at his home—installing panic buttons and cameras—after receiving repeated death threats from a constituent who was later imprisoned. Rushworth revealed his wife asked if they could move, and his children questioned whether he could change professions.
"My wife asked me if we could move," Rushworth said. "My kids asked me if I could change job."
He attributed the hostility to a "combination of politicians 'spouting fake news,' the mainstream media and social media" driving "a level of hatred towards Labour MPs in particular that I have never in my life seen before."
Labour MP Natalie Fleet reported receiving daily death threats, noting her family initially opposed her political career due to anticipated abuse. One particularly alarming social media post calling for her to "be shot" was shared by a local council deputy leader, who later apologized claiming he "did not notice" the offensive text.
"I've never had as much contact with the police as I have in this job," Fleet said. "You've got to spend time giving witness statements and making sure that you're safe, and all you want to do is be out there with your constituents."
The Democracy Protection Portfolio, operating within the National Police Chiefs' Council, was established following an inquiry that found 96% of MPs had experienced threatening behavior or communications.
Balmer expressed particular concern about the disproportionate targeting of female candidates and those from ethnic minorities.
"We know, unfortunately, that female candidates and candidates from ethnic minorities within the UK are also disproportionately targeted," Balmer noted. "But it's not lost on me that these are not idle threats. Tragically, we have had two cases in recent memory where those threats have been carried out."
As threats continue mounting, the new police unit represents the latest effort to safeguard democratic processes while parliamentarians navigate increasingly hostile public discourse.