South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon ‘appalled’ at assault on Conservative Party worker

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon is backing the bid. Picture: Sonya Duncan ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC vÉÄövÇ¬© 2010

An MP has said he is “appalled” a worker at his constituency’s Conservative association was assaulted by a member of the public - and fears it could make MPs and their staff “more cautious” in the future.

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South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises in Denmark Street, Diss. Picture: ANGELA SHARPE South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises in Denmark Street, Diss. Picture: ANGELA SHARPE

An MP has said he is “appalled” a worker at his constituency’s Conservative association was assaulted by a member of the public.

Richard Bacon said he fears the attack, which left the worker “shaken and upset”, could make MPs and their staff “more cautious in their interactions with the public, which is in no-one’s interest”.

MORE: Conservative Party worker assaulted by man demanding to see his MP

The man had arrived at South Norfolk Conservative Association’s (SNCA) office in Denmark Street, Diss demanding to see his MP when he grabbed the victim by her wrist after she told him he wasn’t available.

She was trying to pass him a phone number so he could contact Mr Bacon’s office another time.

South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises in Denmark Street, Diss. Picture: ANGELA SHARPE South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises in Denmark Street, Diss. Picture: ANGELA SHARPE

The assault caused her to fall forward and hit her head on a louvre window, meaning she cut herself.

Mr Bacon, who has represented South Norfolk since 2001, said: “I am appalled to hear of this incident.

“Threats or violence against either my parliamentary team or local party staff are completely unacceptable.

“MPs’ offices must not become fortresses but we do have a duty of care to our staff and those who work alongside us.

“Incidents like this can only serve to make MPs and their staff more cautious in their interactions with the public, which is in no-one’s interest.

“I am very grateful for the swift response from the emergency services, who were on the scene in moments.”

Police were called to the SNCA office at about 1.50pm on Tuesday, August 29.

A man aged in his 60s from the Diss area was later arrested for actual bodily harm (ABH) in connection with the incident and released under investigation by police.

The victim called SNCA chairman David Goldson straight after the incident to tell him what had happened.

“Obviously, she was upset and shaken but she was seen by the medics and was not hurt,” he said.

Fears about the security of MPs and those working for them have been heightened since the brutal murder of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was stabbed and shot to death in her constituency last year.

Labour’s Stephen Timms was also stabbed in his constituency in 2010.

However Mr Goldson stressed that incidents of people attacking MPs and their staff are extremely rare.

This is the first time it has ever happened in South Norfolk, he said.

“Some people get a bit heated but not in my memory have we had any physical incidents,” he said.

“Fortunately, we’re in a part of the world where incidents like this are extremely rare.

“I know MPs have been made aware of the heightened security requirements.

“However no-one wants to stop members of the public coming to see their MP. It’s a balance, as with everything else.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact PC Ryan Westrop at Norfolk Police on 101.

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