AT least 51 MPs have called in the police over terrifying threats made against them in the past year, it is reported.

       The chilling findings come after Tory MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex nine days ago.

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       Dozens of politicians have called the police since last October to report threats Credit: Alamy 3

       Sir David was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex Credit: PA

       Dozens of politicians have called the police since last October to report assaults, death threats and attacks on their constituency offices, The Sunday People reports.

       Cops are now urging MPs to take extra measures to protect themselves, including not travelling on public transport and enrolling in self-defence classes.

       Shadow deputy leader of the Commons, Labour MP Afzal Khan, said the figures "didn't surprise" him.

       Khan was among a number of MPs who received a suspicious package in 2018 containing an anti-Islamic letter and sticky liquid.

       He said: "For many MPs sadly it's part of the job. It isn't a new problem but the number of cases we've had to deal with has shot up.

       "I can be terrifying. I have chosen to be an MP but my family and staff haven't. It has an effect on them and creates stress on them as well.

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       "Most of it is online and social media stuff, and I think the bulk of it is linked to events generally, because they tie you into it and see a spike around certain events."

       The Sunday People contacted all 650 MPs last week and asked if they had received any threats within the last 12 months.

       The newspaper said 56 replied, with 51 revealing they had called the police to report an incident.

       One MP said: "I have had three attacks on my office, five credible threats and all have been reported to the police.

       "Most have been dealt with by caution or fixed penalties. One person was arrested and bailed this week."

       Another said: "I have been assaulted and threatened in the course of my duties."

       A third added: "I received two death threats which were communicated directly to police."

       It comes after the man suspected of stabbing Sir David, 69, to death in a "terror-inspired" murder appeared at the Old Bailey in London on Friday.

       Ali Harbi Ali, 25, appeared in the Central Criminal Court for the first time by video-link from high-security Belmarsh prison.

       The charges against him allege he murdered Sir David and prepared acts of terrorism between May 1, 2019 and September this year.

       Sir David's wife Julia and five children paid tribute to the "courageous" husband in a touching statement.

       They told how they are "enormously proud" of their husband and father, saying: "Our hearts are shattered."

       Sir David had served as MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.

       'PAIN AND LOSS'

       His killing is the ninth time an MP has been murdered in the UK, the sixth since WW2.

       Among those was Jo Cox, who was gunned down and killed on her way to a constituency surgery in 2016.

       The Labour MP was killed by Nazi-obsessed Thomas Mair in broad daylight just a week before the EU referendum vote.

       The mum-of-two was stabbed and shot as she made her way to a constituency meeting in Batley and Spen, West Yorkshire.

       Jo's husband said Sir David's death "brought everything back" after his wife was murdered.

       He said: "This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now."

       Last week, Dominic Raab revealed police had to step in to stop an acid attack against him.

       The deputy PM said he's faced three death threats in the last two years and warned online hate against politicians is now "out of control".

       He said extra safety measures like private security guards and stab vests could be introduced to help protect elected representatives.

       Meanwhile, a man was arrested last week after Labour MP Chris Bryant received death threats.

       The Rhondda MP said he was sent the malicious post after calling for people to be kinder after Sir David's death.

       Fellow Labour MP Tulip Siddiq also revealed she receives abusive messages online every single day.

       The shadow minister for children said she gets a violent threat, such as rape or murder, on average once every three weeks.

       Local police forces have started contacting all MPs to see what more can be done to help boost security.

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       Jo Cox was killed by Nazi-obsessed Thomas Mair in broad daylight just a week before the EU referendum vote in 2016 Credit: PA

       Two-minute silence held to remember Conservative MP Sir David Amess a week on from his murder