CONCERNS over vile and abusive social media posts has led a council leader to pledge to leave no stone unturned to ensure the authority’s staff and members are protected.

Hambleton District Council leader Councillor Mark Robson told a meeting of the authority that he was “more than mindful of what is out there” as the Government considers legislation to make it an offence for online trolls to target politicians.

Both local and national politicians have detailed how they have received a barrage of harassment and intimidation on social media, particularly during last year’s elections, which included threats of sexual violence.

Cllr Robson told the meeting: “You will never stop them all, we have all got issues with people who like to use social media, keyboard warriors I would call them.

“They like to do it, but they don’t like to confront you face to face.”

Councillor Gareth Dadd added: “Social media seems to be a great forum in many ways, but in other ways it leaves a door open for some of the extremists in our communities, of which I think is a small minority.”