LEADER of Redditch Borough Council, Coun Matt Dormer, has called for politicians to be given more privacy after his house was burgled.
Handbags, rings and rare coins were stolen in the raid on Coun Dormer’s home last week.
He said he believed he was targeted as the thieves had gone through other gardens to reach his home.
In 2019, the then Minister for local Government, Rishi Sunak, amended the rules removing the requirement that each candidate’s home address must be published during the election process and be included on the ballot paper.
However, home addresses are published in the register of interests, as there is a legal requirement to list property owned or rented in the town they represent.
Coun Dormer said: “There is far more hate and animosity towards politicians and we are just not offered enough protection.
“It’s a lot of pain, a lot of memories gone and it’s a lot of hurt.
“Knowing there are people in the world who are prepared to do that is disgusting.”
His thoughts were echoed by Redditch Labour leader, Coun Joe Baker, who said he had received threats in the past.
“I agree to a certain level, however when voting comes round you should really declare where you live, that way the voters know what area you are really from.
“Using the Town Hall and council’s number is not always the best.
“I had to take my address off the council website because I had received death threats.”
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The local authority monitoring officers should ensure councillors required to declare pecuniary interests are aware of the sensitive interest provisions in the Localism Act 2011.
“In cases where the disclosure of details could lead to a councillor being subject to violence or intimidation the Government would encourage monitoring officers to look sympathetically at such requests where there are legitimate concerns of abuse or intimidation.”
West Mercia Police said the investigation into the burglary was ongoing.
