PONTELAND town councillors have called for more training to help them deal with aggressive constituents.

The call came as more and more councillors and MPs have complained about being abused, both online and in person.

Coun. Richard Dodd, who is also a county councillor, said he had an altercation with protesters recently.

“I attended a seminar in London about this, because we are aware that things have changed,” he said.

“It all comes back to the fact that it starts with nasty emails. I was mobbed by a group a while ago, and now at meetings in dodgy places I take a body cam.

“It’s a serious issue. It’s more than just Ponteland. All the town councils are experiencing this. There’s quite a number of cranks.”

The council discussed a number of options, including an intercom system at its offices, but the council’s clerk, Kath Mavin, said members and staff needed to know how to deal with angry people.

The clerk said: “We’re getting more and more people coming in here in a rage. We’re not paid to put up with people swearing. There has to be something we can do.

“I’ve never felt threatened with a physical attack, but that’s not to say it couldn’t happen. People can just walk in. We had someone wander in the other day to use the toilet!”

The council agreed to put up signs in the office to explain what behaviour is unacceptable, and explore the costs of training and security measures.