LOCAL councillors should get the same protections as MPs and MSPs to keep harassers at bay, it is claimed.

Kenny MacLaren and Will Mylet, who sit on Renfrewshire Council, say there’s too little in place to protect local government politicians from abuse and attack. And they say those facing threats or violence related to their elected position should be entitled to the same protective measures offered to those with seats at the Scottish or UK parliaments.

The call comes after Mylet’s window was smashed in a late night attack he believes is connected to his casework. No one has been charged in connection with the incident, which happened when his young children were at home. Renfrewshire Council says it “immediately offered support” to the councillor and police said a “thorough investigation” was carried out.

READ MORE: SNP MP Carol Monaghan was moved to safe house after death threat

But the men say such incidents are not treated with the same seriousness as those involving MPs and MSPs, who are given somewhere to stay while attacks on their homes or threats to their safety are investigated. And they’ve learned of many similar incidents involving SNP councillors across the country. These range from deliberate damage to vehicles and other property to death threats, stalking and other forms of harassment.

MacLaren said: “No one should be threatened because of their work, but if there are policies in place to protect other elected members then it should be simple enough to extend this to all elected members.”

In June, two cars were set on fire at the Strathaven home of Conservative councillor Graeme Campbell and the blaze spread to the house, causing significant damage, in what the party said was the third targeting of his property. Of the incident at his home, Mylet said: “It took a while to realise how much it had affected my family and my neighbours. I am 99% certain it was related to my duties as a councillor. We deal directly with most of our constituents, we don’t have staff, we need to have the same level of protection.”

The men are calling for change to be enacted before next year’s local government elections.

However, a bid to have a debate about the matter at the upcoming SNP conference fell when their resolution on councillor safety was not selected. It stated: “All local authorities should have a duty of care towards their councillors and the same procedures that are in place with Police Scotland to protect other elected members such as MPs and MSPs should apply equally to councillors.

READ MORE: SNP to recruit 'complaints officer' after high profile controversies

“Local councillors are the heartbeat of democracy within Scotland and deserve the same level of support from Police Scotland and other agencies, including their local authorities when they find themselves under attack simply for carrying out their democratic duty.

“Conference calls on the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to meet with Police Scotland and Cosla [the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities] to ensure that there is greater protection for all councillors, at least equal to the support offered to other elected members.”