Councillors across Devon and Cornwall have warned that abuse and threats towards elected representatives could put people off standing for public office.

Twenty-seven crimes against councillors have been recorded in the past 12 months under the police’s Operation Ford initiative – mostly involving malicious communications.

But members of the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel said the figure was likely to be the “tip of the iceberg”, with some councillors reluctant to report incidents for fear of discouraging others from entering public life.

Julian Brazil, head of Devon County Council and councillor for Kingsbridge, said he had experienced relatively little hostility during his 25 years in politics but recognised the concerns raised by colleagues.

He said security at County Hall had been increased as a precaution, with more patrols and barriers, while personal alarms were also offered to councillors.

“I understand we are public-facing, and people can get a bee in their bonnet about issues they’re passionate about,” he said.

“But there are a lot of untruths that play into a violent narrative - we’re still just people,” he said. “Death threats have been received at county level, not at South Hams District Council, that I am aware of, I’m pleased to say, but we do need to be aware.”

Cllr Brazil said some groups were more likely to face abuse than others.

“The worst thing would be for this to put off people from standing for council,” he said.

“I think minorities are understandably more wary than I am as a white man who’s been in the game a long time. Women in particular get more heat than men do, and that’s awful.

“We need more women in politics across the board, so it would be terrible if these concerns stopped people from standing; it would be an affront to democracy.”

Operation Ford was established in 2025 to provide security advice and support to councillors at district level and above across Devon and Cornwall, covering 585 elected representatives.

Police and crime commissioners and elected mayors also come under its remit.

At the panel meeting, Cllr Philip Hackett, of Torridge District Council, described receiving verbal and death threats, abuse in a parish magazine and having someone drive a car towards him.

One person, he said, had told him: “I hope you die a horrible death” following a planning application.

Cllr Chris Penberthy, of Plymouth City Council, said a female colleague had been assaulted while wearing a Labour badge, while Cllr Caroline Leaver said abuse on social media was particularly concerning ahead of next year’s elections: “It’s a serious issue, the intimidation. It is significantly scary out there for people.”

West Devon Borough Councillor, Cllr Mandy Ewings, said the abuse suffered by councillors was like “a hidden dirty secret”.

The issue has been brought into sharp focus recently following the death of former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswomen Anne Widdecombe.

But Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said councillors should not expect special security measures equivalent to those available to MPs.

She described Operation Ford as having limited powers, but said she and chief constable James Vaughan were committed to making it more meaningful.

“It is not acceptable that people who put themselves forward for public life should be subject to threats of violence and intimidation,” he said.