THE region's MPs are having to improve home security and some have police presence at their surgeries following an increase in numbers of threats, The Northern Echo has learned.

With more receiving abuse and sinister threats on social media and even in the street, MPs are being advised by Westminster security not to walk home alone.

And a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “We have had a number of concerns raised by MPs across the force area and every person in this role is aware that they should always contact police if they are concerned or have actively been threatened by whatever means.

“Cleveland Police does all it can to support people who have been threatened simply because they are “accessible” due to being in the public eye. Such behaviour will not be tolerated and we will always seek to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, said: "I very recently received a Facebook post calling me a traitor to my country. That is indicative of the stuff I have been getting in recent weeks.

"What Theresa May said on the steps of Downing Street on Tuesday evening makes you feel less safe as she was blaming MPs for the whole EU situation."

He said he had to improve security after reporting two people to the police in recent weeks.

He added: "I assume it is the people who have more extreme views on the EU who are prepared to have us leave without a deal. It has certainly intensified in the last six months.

"My colleagues certainly feel less safe. Some have been told that they ought to be beheaded.

"People are uneasy. But nobody is going to put me off doing what I believe is right in the interests of the people I represent."

One MP, who did not want to be named, said she had received social media threats which had been reported to police.

And Labour MP for Sedgefield Phil Wilson said: "We have reported several issues to the police in recent weeks. We did have an open door policy for our surgeries and after the Jo Cox incident we have now got security on the door.We are getting quite a lot of abuse which seems to be from the right-wing about the whole Brexit debate.

"In a democracy, and in times as difficult as they are, we should not have to experience this. It is actually female MPs who seem to be getting it more.

"I don't know if it is misogyny or if they are seen as easier targets."

Durham Constabulary declined to confirm if they had received any reports of MP threats.