Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes falling crime figures but warns visible offending continues to undermine public confidence in safety.
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner has praised officers for reducing shoplifting and burglary but warned that visible criminal activity is continuing to damage public confidence.
Colin Sutton says that although Norfolk remains one of the safest counties in England, incidents of shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and public drug taking can leave residents feeling unsafe.
The latest figures from Norfolk Police show that reported shoplifting offences fell by 8.5 per cent during the twelve months to the end of June 2026.
Residential burglaries also declined by 13.9 per cent over the same period.
Mr Sutton welcomed the improvements, describing the force's efforts to tackle retail theft as particularly encouraging.
However, he believes the public's perception of crime does not always reflect the official statistics.
He highlighted concerns about shoplifting in Norwich and public drug taking around King's Lynn bus station as examples of behaviour that can contribute to a sense of lawlessness.
The commissioner has also raised concerns about pressure on the wider criminal justice system, including court delays, prison capacity and probation services.
Norfolk Police says it recognises the impact that visible offending can have on communities and that neighbourhood teams remain focused on tackling these issues.
Mr Sutton has also announced additional funding to support policing in Thetford, with £140,000 being made available to fund an extra officer for two years.
The commissioner says maintaining public confidence is an important part of keeping Norfolk's communities safe.
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