One in three local councillors has faced aggression or threats because of their job, according to research by current affairs show Nieuwsuur.

Nieuwsuur questioned some 2,000 councillors from all over the country. Verbal aggression is the most common form of abuse, but 19% have been threatened and 17% faced discriminatory comments. Some 5.5% had faced physical violence.

10% of the councillors polled said they had considered stopping their work because of the problems.

Last month, the Islamic party Partij van de Eenheid shut down its Zwijndrecht arm because of ‘serious threats directed at the campaign leader’.

The VVD in Heemskerk also said it was pulling out of the local election campaign because of serious threats. The local elections take place on March 19.