A Kent MP has spoken of her fear that she could be subjected to attacks travelling home after late-night votes at Westminster.

Maidstone and Weald MP Helen Grant said she had not experienced any abuse during routine surgeries but had been concerned “for some time” about the possibility of being attacked while on journeys home after late-night sittings.

Kent Police has contacted MPs today in the wake of the tragic murder of Jo Cox to offer help with security arrangements. Parliament has been recalled to allow MPs to pay tribute to Mrs Cox.

Ms Grant said: “Travelling on public transport after voting has ended at night is something that has concerned me for some time, especially if the vote is something controversial like Gay Marriage or the Syrian crisis – I fear that is another tragedy waiting to happen.”

She added: “Democracy has to continue and constituents have got to have access to those who represent them. I run drop-in surgeries at local supermarkets, other public places and at my Constituency office.”

"Thankfully I have been spared physical abuse, so far, in surgeries, but like other MPs I do encounter aggression, mainly via social media but also on the doorstep,” she said.

Other MPs said they mainly held appointment-only surgeries and did not offer “drop in” surgeries.

Ashford MP Damian Green said he had his security arrangements for surgeries changed a number of years ago and only saw people who had made appointments.

He had not noticed an increase in people who caused concern at regular surgeries but there had been a notable increase in the abuse he and colleagues received on social media.

“The level of insults and threatening abuse on social media has increased over the last few years and you never know when that might spill over into something else.”

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay said he did not want the death of Jo Cox to lead to MPs becoming less accessible to the public.

He said his surgeries were also only by appointment and that other staff were always present.

“We have an open system of access for people and I would not want that to change. The last thing I want is for people not to be able to get to see us.”