An Newcastle MP is calling for an end to the abuse of public officials after receiving thousands of abusive messages following the publication of a newspaper article about Operation Shelter.

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, whose article in the Guardian said "turning this into a matter of race and religion is an insult to survivors" believes abuse is putting people off getting into politics.

Seventeen men and one women have now been jailed for more than 180 years for their part in targeting vulnerable young girls and women in Newcastle following Northumbria Police's largest ever investigation.

In an interview with ITV News Tyne Tees Chi Onwurah said: "My first concern is for the wellbeing of people in Newcastle and protecting and preventing victims and making sure that the victim's stories take centre place."

She added: "I think that because right wing groups are trying to make this an issue of race and religion, pointing out that it isn't, that really attracted their attention."

Eighteen people were convicted as part of Operation Shelter. Credit: ITV News

As the second most abused woman on social media during the 2017 General Election campaign, Chi Onwurah spoke out this week, during a Parliamentary debate about the abuse of MPs online.

She believes that relentless attacks on MPs are deterring people from running for public office: "The key points that came out is that this isn't good for democracy. If anyone sees my Twitter stream from the last few days, all they will see is loads of vile comments and that isn't going to encourage people to engage with me.

"But also, it is not going to encourage people to stand up and be members of Parliament or local councillors or go into the public space and that is so wrong because being the MP for Newcastle Central is the best job in the world and I want every primary school kid, every person in Newcastle to feel that that is a job that is open to them.

"Research shows [abuse] puts people off and then people complain there are not enough ordinary people in politics. It is not going to encourage ordinary people coming into politics."

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central. Credit: ITV News

When questioned on whether she had developed "a thick skin", the MP said she didn't want to get one: "You do need a thick skin, but I don't think that is a good thing because I also think that people want their politicians to understand what real life is like and to be sensitive to what people are going through."

So what is the solution to the abuse? Chi Onwurah believes that social media giants like Facebook and Twitter all have a responsibility to do their bit to make sure that the internet it is a safer space for people to express their views.

She said: "The social media companies sort of say that they're not really responsible for what goes on on their platforms, but they're making money out of it and I think that they should show more responsibility and they can take more action."

The Labour MP also believes that the police should be given the resources to enforce the laws which prevent people from being abused online.

She said: "This is whole new area of crime, the figures show there are very few prosecutions for the level of abuse - and criminal abuse that we know goes on.

"What is clear is that what is illegal in real life, is illegal online. People think it is ok to spew vile threats online, but it is not, it is illegal."

Although the abuse can be never-ending, the Newcastle Cenreal MP said it doesn't put her off from doing her job: "It won't change anything. I say or do what I do because I think it is in the interest of the people of Newcastle and that is the thing that is most important to me."