A Keighley town councillor subjected to online abuse has had missiles hurled at his home.

Two bricks were thrown at Mick Westerman’s Thwaites Brow house, damaging windows. A piece of wood was also flung at the property.

Coun Westerman – and colleagues – have been coming under fire on Facebook following fierce public criticism of the town council over its handling of the new Keighley Civic Centre and its raising of the council tax precept by more than 72 per cent.

“People are perfectly within their rights to criticise the town council – that’s freedom of speech – but to launch personal, vicious attacks on individuals is unacceptable,” said Coun Westerman, 50, who represents Morton and Sandbeds.

He was having a bath at about 9.30pm on Sunday when he heard two loud bangs at the front porch.

“I ran downstairs wrapped in a towel and went outside, but there was no sign of anyone,” he said. “Bricks had been thrown and two porch windows were damaged. Fortunately they are solid double-glazed windows so the bricks didn’t come right through. If they had, the consequences could have been much worse.

“Normally our young granddaughter would have been staying over and if the window had smashed she could have been hit.”

Moments after Coun Westerman had alerted the police, he heard another loud bang and discovered a log had struck the door frame.

He said: “I can’t see what I have done wrong as a councillor. I do my best for my ward and for others and I have no intention of resigning.”

Police confirmed they had been called to reports of criminal damage and harassment at an address in Thwaites Brow on Sunday evening.

“Officers have been in contact with the complainant and inquiries remain ongoing,” said a spokesman. “Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.”