A £31million package to boost MPs’ security comes after years of worsening abuse, says a Bolton MP, who says the local police were “brilliant” when she suffered threats.

The funding was announced this week by Home Secretary James Cleverly after rising tensions around the conflict in Gaza.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi says she has personal experience of how intense the threats and abuse faced by parliamentarians can be.

Ms Qureshi said: “Many years ago, I previously had a constituent harass me to such a degree that they were convicted, and I am grateful of the support I get from the local police here in Bolton who are brilliant.

“I do not let anything put me off from meeting people and being open for my constituents.

The Bolton News: Security is set to be improved for all MPsSecurity is set to be improved for all MPs (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA)

"Getting out in the community is the best part of my job and I won’t let anything stop me from doing that.

“My experiences with my constituents is overwhelmingly positive even when they disagree.”

Now, in the wake of a worsening situation for all MPs, the new security package will be used to improve police protection and help fund private security guards for MPs facing higher risks.

This will give all MPs and candidates named police contacts to liaise with on security issues and will expand on cyber security advice.

Ms Qureshi says that years of increasingly heated public debates have affected this.

In the most extreme cases two MPs, Labour’s Jo Cox and Conservative Sir David Amess, have been murdered in the last eight years.

She said: “The concerns about safety for MPs has significantly increased in recent years.

“It has to be said that the polarisation of debates like Brexit and immigration, as well as online conspiracy theories seem to have given the green light to abuse MPs, often not based in facts.

"We all need to be careful and moderate in our rhetoric.

“Many of my colleagues share the view that things have got worse in the last decade.

“Early last year I began to I have private security for my public events which has allowed me to continue my duties as a precaution.”

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Mr Cleverly will meet with police chiefs next week to discuss MPs security.

He said: “The government will take every possible step to safeguard the people, processes and institutions upon which our democracy relies.

“I take the safety and security of all members of the House with the utmost seriousness.

“None of us should have to accept that enduring hate crimes, harassment, or threats is part of the job.

“I will continue to work closely with my police counterparts to provide elected representatives with the support they need.”