Melksham’s Mayor, Tom Price, and Deputy Mayor, Saffi Rabey, have both been victims of death threats.
Cllr Saffi Rabey reported that on Wednesday 24th July, she received a threatening phone call around 2pm from a number with no caller ID. It was also revealed that Cllr Tom Price had received a similar call a few weeks earlier.
“I do answer those calls because you don’t know if it’s someone who needs to talk to you,” explained Cllr Rabey, who was elected as the town’s deputy mayor earlier this year.
“It was two men, one talking directly to me and the other shouting in the background, saying how they were going to find me, hunt me down, and then kill me. They were screaming and shouting really loudly. They eventually hung up, and I was just so shocked.
“What has shaken me is that things have suddenly completely changed and that’s what is strange. Suddenly, I have to be really aware of what I am doing.”
Cllr Rabey said that the only place where her telephone number and Cllr Price’s number were listed was on the town council’s website, along with their home addresses.
“These have since been removed by the town council,” said Cllr Rabey. She reported the incident to Wiltshire Police and has been referred to Operation Bridger, a nationwide police protection programme set up after MP Jo Cox was murdered to safeguard MPs and public figures.
“Wiltshire Police have been incredible. It is part of town council policy to report this kind of stuff after the MP, Jo Cox, was murdered,” said Cllr Rabey. “It’s one of those things that happens to everybody else, and you hear about female MPs being targeted, but it does happen, no matter what level of politics you are in. It is a reality where people think it’s okay to do that.”
All Melksham Town councillors and officers have been briefed on the situation and are working together with local police to assist in their investigations. “We have removed all personal telephone numbers from our website and remain vigilant to potential risks to the safety of our council members and staff,” said the council.
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