All candidates in the forthcoming Senedd elections are being issued with guidance to help them respond if they experience intimidatory behaviour or abuse during the election campaign.
The guidance document When it goes too far: Joint guidance for candidates in electionsprovides advice on the actions or behaviours that could constitute a criminal offence, when to contact the police and practical steps candidates can take to protect themselves.
The guidance was jointly developed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Electoral Commission, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Welsh police forces are also preparing to provide a tailored response to candidates including providing security briefings and assigning senior single points of contact for candidate security.
South Wales Police, Gwent Police, Dyfed-Powys Police and North Wales Police have pledged to prevent and detect crime and enable the democratic process to proceed unhindered, a role policing takes extremely seriously.
A/Detective Inspector Andrew Westlake, all-Wales election co-ordinator for policing, said:
“Abuse or intimidation of candidates in elections has serious implications for individuals and for our democracy. Practical guidance will help candidates stay safe on the campaign trail. All police forces in Wales will offer security briefings for candidates in the run-up to the Senedd elections.
“Campaigning and contrasting political views are the mark of a healthy democracy, but these should not cross the line into criminal abuse, harassment or disorder. There are serious penalties for those who are found guilty of criminal offences.”
Responding to intimidating behaviour in elections and public office: a CPS guide gives candidates information about potential offences such as criminal damage, abusive or threatening behaviour, harassment, stalking, hate crimes and election related crimes such as false statements against a candidate’s character.
Candidates are advised to:
- Engage with their single point of contact within their local force for candidate security;
- Take active steps around personal safety to keep themselves and their campaign staff safe;
- Not to canvass alone and make sure someone knows where they are canvassing;
- Keep records of any intimidating behaviour or abuse;
- Conduct an online health check to ensure sensitive personal information is not widely available;
- Report intimidation or abuse to internet service providers and social media platforms.
Candidates are also warned of potential signals that behaviour could be escalating – threats of imminent violence, fixated ideas or release of personal information not already in the public domain – and to immediately call 999 in an emergency.
