Sandwell councillors set to be given attack alarms

Members of the Ethical Standards and Member Development Committee are being asked to approve a series of recommendations following incidents where elected members had been subject to threats and harassment.

They will discuss a rang of steps to improve safety including the use of personal alarms.

They being asked to choose between two devices, one of which can be fitted with GPS tracking and allow the user to contact a call centre in the case of emergencies.

In addition, a report recommends mandatory training for all elected members on how they can protect themselves, including how to ‘de-escalate conflict situations’.

The committee is being asked to agree to personal safety training along with ways incidents or concerns can be reported.

The report said that ‘elected members need, and have every right, to feel safe and assured when carrying out their roles’.

It continues: “Existing processes and procedures relating to personal safety have also been reviewed … with advice sought from specialist officers from West Midlands Police at key stages of the review.

“A process for elected members to report incidents affecting their personal safety has been developed and is proposed for consideration.”

Incidents would be recorded by area for analysis and further investigation.

Bosses said that the council would not tolerate the abuse of councillors or its staff and had previously taken court action following incidents of harassment to protect members.

In addition, it will decide if councillors should be issued the alarms.

The committee is to meet on October 4.