A Norfolk town council has found itself in an extraordinary conflict with its own residents, with councillors alleging they have become victims of intimidation and violence.
The conflict stems from a series of controversial council decisions and a scandal involving a member charged with criminal damage, creating an unprecedented breakdown in relations between the local authority and the community it serves.
Attleborough Town Council has pleaded for a truce after months of escalating tensions that have erupted into chaotic public meetings marked by heckling and demands for resignations.
The dispute has seen locals establish multiple social media pages criticising the authority, including sites featuring cartoon depictions of council members.
Attleborough Town Council has pleaded for a truce after months of escalating tensions that have erupted into chaotic public meetings marked by heckling and demands for resignations
Councillors claim they are facing what they describe as a "campaign of hate", whilst residents accuse the authority of failing to address legitimate complaints.
The situation reached a boiling point at a meeting this week when council clerk Sharon Smyth delivered a 10-minute speech detailing extraordinary allegations of abuse faced by councillors.
She claimed the Taylor family, who run the London Tavern pub, had experienced people banging on their windows and doors and had their car headlights smashed.
Taylor, the former mayor, had allegedly been "bitten" by a customer at their pub.
She claimed the Taylor family, who run the London Tavern pub, had experienced people banging on their windows and doors and had their car headlights smashed
Councillor Stephen Fraser had reportedly been called a "w****r" and "c**t" in the street, slapped in the face, and had bolts removed from his car wheels.
The council's controversial decision in April to fund therapy for stressed councillors has particularly enraged residents, coming just days after Fraser's arrest but before the allegations were made public.
Members of the public responded with outrage to what they called the "hypocrisy" of the council's position.
Richard Allington, whose shop window was allegedly damaged, demanded to know "how many [councillors] knew?" about the allegations against Fraser before they became public.
Councillor Stephen Fraser had reportedly been slapped in the face and had bolts removed from his car wheels
Audience members described councillors as "absolute liars" and accused some of being "bullies", comments that drew applause from others present.
The meeting descended into chaos when Samantha Taylor, who also chairs Breckland Council, denied her daughter had witnessed the criminal damage incident.
She added: "A few nutters on Facebook aren't going to drive me to that," referring to therapy.
Vera Dale was met with applause and cheering from the watching public when she said: "In my book, if you're a councillor, you're a councillor 24/7."
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