Politicians are public figures and with the general election just around the corner their profiles will be elevated more than usual. But that does not mean that they do not have the same right to privacy as anyone else. And it certainly does not mean that people have the right to trespass on their property.

Therefore it was disappointing and alarming that protesters had to be escorted off the Prime Minister’s property in the village of Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton.

Four men, aged from 52 to 20, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and have been released on conditional police bail.

A video has been released by protest group Youth Demand showing a young man entering the Prime Minister’s property and appearing to defecate in a lake.

A photo issued by Youth Demand of a person being talked to by a police officer. PIC: Youth Demand/PA Wire

It really begs the question whether these people really care about decency. There seems to be a worrying trend where decency and respect are secondary to the dogma that a minority of people subscribe to. The actions of these protesters will only have garnered sympathy for the Prime Minister amongst right thinking members of the public.

It is not the first time that Rishi Sunak’s home has been targeted. In August last year four Greenpeace protesters were arrested and charged with criminal damage after allegedly climbing onto the roof of Mr Sunak’s home in Kirby Sigston.

Politicians' homes should be strictly off limits. Protests don’t just affect them but also their family members.

This incident also shows that we cannot be complacent when it comes to security. Too many of those who disagree with Nigel Farage’s politics were quick to dismiss the attacks on him while on the campaign trail.

There are lines that should not be crossed and Yorkshire knows all too well where a failure to respect boundaries ultimately leads to.

Why protests at Rishi Sunak’s North Yorkshire home were not acceptable

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