A Reform UK councillor told how American friends have asked her if she is ok living in Britain. Laila Cunningham, who appeared at a press conference on law and order alongside Nigel Farage earlier today, said she faced concerns during a visit across the pond with her husband.

She told Sky News: “I’m frustrated, I want to protest in the streets, I’m angry at what they’ve done to this country. I’m born and raised here, and I love Britain, but it is unsafe. I was in Chicago and New York on holiday as my husband’s American and so many people were like, ‘Oh my God, we’ve heard about what’s going on in the UK, are you guys ok?'”

She added: “If I’m on the train with my son and he sees someone in a balaclava, he’s petrified, and that’s been allowed to proliferate.

“Knives are hidden in so many bushes, so many playgrounds and it’s just changed, the fabric of the country has changed, people don’t feel safe any more.”

Ms Cunningham’s comments came after she was asked about Mr Farage warning of the risk of “civil disobedience on a vast scale”.

Earlier today, she joined the Reform leader and MP Sarah Pochin at a press conference as the insurgent party set out plans for a crackdown on crime.

Mr Farage pledged a target of halving crime in five years if he wins the next general election.

He unveiled plans to recruit more police officers and create new places behind bars.

The Clacton MP said: “Reform will be the toughest party on law and order and on crime that this country has ever seen.

“We will aim to cut crime by half in the first five years of Reform government. We will take back control of our streets. We will take back control of our courts, of our prisons.

“If you’re a criminal, I am putting you on notice today that from 2029 or whenever that may be, either you obey the law or you will face very serious justice.”

Documents handed out at Monday’s press conference show that the party estimate a £17.4 billion cost over the course of a five year parliament for their plans, with a £3.48 billion annual cost.