A large number of councillors at the Netherlands’ 390 plus local authorities are considering standing down because of the threats and aggression directed at them.

Research by the local councillors’ association NVR found 7% may quit in the near future and 12% have doubts about standing for election again. Almost one-third of the association’s 2,600 members took part in the survey.

The threats against local councillors come in many forms: via social media, email and post or in phone calls. ‘When threats are directed at me personally I can deal with it,’ said one councillor. ‘But when it has an influence on my wife and children, then I’ll stop immediately.’

Last year, cars belonging to a GroenLinks councillor were set on fire in Wormerland,  north of Amsterdam. The arsonist was never caught. In other instances, councillors have been sent bullets or been insulted via Facebook and Twitter.

In several towns and villages riot police have been brought in to stop angry mobs attacking town halls during meetings about refugee centres.