The constituency office of Labour MP Chris Bryant has been spray painted with the word “traitor” in what appears to be an act of politically-motivated vandalism.

The Remain-supporting MP for Rhondda in south Wales posted two photos showing the insult sprayed twice in red letters across the security shutters protecting his office windows.

The Labour MP told The Independent the incident had been reported to the police and said he “presumed” the vandalism was related to anger over Brexit. Mr Bryant also revealed he had received several death threats in recent weeks.

“It’s shocking, but not surprising, I suppose,” he said of the graffiti. “We didn’t used to be a country like this – we used to be a country that respected political differences, but somehow or other we’ve lost that.”

Several MPs shared their support following the attack. “This vile intimidation and abuse is appalling,” said the Change UK spokesman Chuka Umunna, who also praised Mr Bryant for “standing up to it”.

It comes as police warn that threats made against MPs have reached “unprecedented levels”, including death threats, online abuse, vandalism and harassment in the street.

Intimidation has not been confined to politicians. Last month a series of homes displaying Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party posters in Sussex were vandalised in attacks linked to Brexit, with the words “traitors” and “hypocrites” spray painted on exterior walls.

“It’s surprising and very sad to see people expressing their political views in this thuggish and intimidating way,” said Zoe Nicholson, co-chair of the Lewes District Green Party.

“The vandalism is bad enough, but using highly charged language like ‘traitors’ against political opponents is not acceptable.”

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(AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit epa07471421 Pro-Brexit protesters gather outside of the Parliament for Nigel Farage's 'March to Leave' in London, Britain, 29 March 2019. MPs rejected Prime Minister's May EU withdrawal agreement earlier in the day. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA

Last month Labour MP Helen Goodman’s constituency office windows were smashed in what she suspects may have been an attempt at intimidation over her support for a so-called soft Brexit.

She told The Independent that “in all probability” the incident was motivated by anger at Britain’s failure to leave Europe.

Last month parliament’s joint committee on human rights heard that MPs and peers were experiencing “skyrocketing” levels of abuse over Brexit and other issues.

Former Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, a member of Change UK, told The Independent she is too afraid to advertise meetings in public because of death threats and intimidation.

Anna Soubry comments on police refusing to intervene during altercation with Brexiteer men outside Parliament

Recent months have seen a number of high profile incidents of abuse aimed at MPs, including the pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry who was confronted by “yellow vest” protesters near the House of Commons.

MPs have also been abused by pro-Brexit supporters attending sanctioned protests in the streets outside parliament.

Last month Metropolitan Police commander Adrian Usher called on the government to change “outdated” protest laws, and said officers were struggling to enforce current laws regarding political demonstrations.

“We need to move away from the language of ‘peaceful protest’ to talk about ‘lawful protest’ ... We are absolutely in the business of facilitating lawful protest [but] where protest steps over into being unlawful, whether you consider it peaceful or not is a moot point.”

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said the force was “investigating a report of criminal damage to the constituency office of Rhondda MP, Chris Bryant”.