Panic alarms issued to Sandwell councillors following death of MP David Amess

Panic alarms are being given to Sandwell councillors along with safety training in the wake of the death of Southend West MP David Amess.

Elected members are being advised on how to ensure their ward surgeries can be held safely and effectively and that the buildings they hold them in are risk-free.

This includes making sure they have panic buttons and escape routes should they encounter trouble when holding their usual sessions with residents.

Mr Amess, a Conservative MP who was first elected in 1997, was stabbed multiple times as he held his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15.

The father of five died at the scene. Ali Harbi Ali, aged 25, was detained under the Terrorism Act and charged with murder and preparing terrorist acts.

Sandwell Council’s ethical standards and member development committee is set to agree to carry out a review into personal safety for elected members.

What security measures do councillors have at present?

A review was set to be carried out last year but was postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The authority’s monitoring officer Surjit Tour said: “As members are now looking to return to surgeries, and in view of a recent tragic event concerning an MP, it is timely to consider the matter.

“Personal safety training sessions have been held during October and November 2021 with panic alarms being made available to elected members.

“A personal safety guidance has been prepared for elected members which includes suggestions for councillors on how to make a ward surgery safer and more effective.

“A check-list is also being produced that can be issued to elected members working in non-council premises, so they are able to determine if the site has sufficient safety measures in place, e.g. receptions, panic buttons and safe means of escape.

“Assurances are also being sought that premises are suitable to use for surgeries.”

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