Councillor 'threatened with axe' at village event
BBCA Conservative councillor has said he is "still in shock" after being threatened with an axe while at a community event.
Joe Porter said two "young males" targeted him as well as a small group of young people in Endon on Friday.
"It was pretty terrifying. It's not the sort of thing you'd expect in a close-knit, semi-rural community like Endon," the Staffordshire Moorlands councillor said.
The pair were on a bike and one of them wielded a "very large" axe while shouting Porter's name as well as "going after" two young people while making threats, he said.
He added that the village prided itself on its community spirit, and it was a surprise that something like that had happened.
Porter said he believed he was targeted due to his involvement in politics.
"You don't have to agree with local politicians or national politicians – with their views or their political persuasion – but this is not the way to carry out protests," he said.
"I do put myself out there a lot, I do make myself very active and visible, but I do that because I see it as my duty to.
"I don't want to change that approach, I want to remain that kind of politician that people feel they can chat to."
He said the event was a "sad reflection of the times we live in", but that the vast majority of people he encountered were kind and decent.
Porter said in the last six months he also had a pumpkin display outside his house smashed as well as eggs thrown at his house.
Staffordshire Police said they were called to Leek Road in Endon shortly before 19.30 GMT on Friday after reports of violence.
"A man reported seeing two teenage boys on an e-bike with one of them carrying an axe, near to Brookfield Avenue," a spokesperson said.
"Officers attended and carried out an extensive search which proved to be negative.
"We continue to patrol the area to reassure residents and officers from the local policing team are continuing to investigate."
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