Police are investigating reports a brick was thrown through a window at Labour leadership contender Angela Eagle's constituency office.

Merseyside Police said they were called to the premises in Manor Road, Wallasey, on Tuesday morning following reports of criminal damage.

"It is believed that between 5pm last night (Monday) and 9am today, damage was caused to the front ground-floor window of an office," the force said in a statement.

"The incident was reported to Merseyside Police at 9.55am today.

"An investigation into the incident is ongoing."

Wirral Globe:

The window that was smashed

The incident follows the formal announcement on Monday by Ms Eagle that she is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership.

Ms Eagle may face moves by local party members to de-select her after the Wallasey Constituency Labour Party (CLP) had urged her to support Mr Corbyn.

Wirral Globe:

Angela Eagle's constituency office

In a statement Mr Corbyn said: “It is extremely concerning that Angela Eagle has been the victim of a threatening act and that other MPs are receiving abuse and threats.  

"As someone who has also received death threats this week and previously, I am calling on all Labour Party members and supporters to act with calm and treat each other with respect and dignity, even where there is disagreement.

"I utterly condemn any violence or threats, which undermine the democracy within our party and have no place in our politics.”

Helen Osgood, a senior caseworker at Ms Eagle's office, said the MP had had to cancel a campaign event after the hotel manager at the venue where she was supposed to be speaking received a series of threats.

She said security at the office would need to be stepped up in light of the incident.

"All this violence needs to stop because we cannot live in a society that is divided by hatred like this.

"It is really important that someone like Angela is given the chance to unite the Labour Party and unite the country because we cannot keep living like this."

Workers based near Ms Eagle’s constituency office expressed their shock at the attack on the building.

Although no-one knew anything happened until police arrived, some described the incident as "senseless."

Jan Cosgrove who works for a nearby taxi firm said: "No-one knows what has happened here, it could have been a drunk who's thrown a brick through the window, or could have something to do with the leadership battle.

"I'm staunch Labour and if the smashed window is politically linked it's not good. It's just childish."

John Murphy, manager of Beryl's 2 Sandwich Shop said: "It's the first time anything like this happened around here and I think it must be leadership-linked.

"On saying that, you don’t know whether it’s political or just kids messing around."

On the current political fight, Mr Murphy added: "I don't think any of them are going to do any good, but there’s no excuse for smashing windows."

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: "It is an absolutely disgraceful situation that you cannot take part in a democracy without having this kind of threat.

"The violence of it, the vile nature of the abuse that is being given to Angela Eagle and to the other members of her staff and to those who support her is completely unacceptable."