Norfolk Police Commissioner Weighs Canceling Theatrical Tour Amid Voter Backlash

Colin Sutton, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Norfolk, has confirmed he is reviewing plans for his upcoming nationwide theatre tour following significant criticism from local residents. The Reform UK-elected official told the BBC that he is in discussions with tour promoters to potentially reduce or entirely scrap the 127-show run.

Sutton, who leads the investigation into the capture of serial killer Levi Bellfield, originally announced the true crime series, titled “Makings of a Murderer,” two months after his election in July. With tickets priced at approximately £40, the tour drew immediate scrutiny from constituents who expressed concern that the commitments would detract from his statutory responsibilities.

“Absolutely,” Sutton said when asked if he was reconsidering the schedule. “I’m in talks with the people who promote it to see how we can curtail it or, if necessary, just cut it completely. I don’t want anything to interfere with the job that I’ve got to do.”

One alternative proposed by the former detective involves restricting performances to venues within Norfolk. He also suggested that virtual participation could replace some in-person appearances, such as his scheduled meeting with the Norfolk police and crime panel on February 2.

However, Sutton admitted that the volume of feedback received via social media and direct emails had surprised him. “That’s made me think about it again,” he conceded, emphasizing that maintaining public confidence was his priority.

Steffan Aquarone, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, criticized Sutton’s initial silence on the matter during the election campaign. Comparing the PCC’s promotional activities to those of pop star Taylor Swift, Aquarone argued that Sutton appeared to take voters for granted. “Either the job is serious and requires somebody full time paying attention, or it’s not and it’s OK to go off and do nearly as many tour dates as Taylor Swift,” he stated.

In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for Reform UK voiced support for Sutton, characterizing him as a “celebrity detective” and noting that half of the scheduled performances would occur on weekends.

Sutton denied that he had misled voters, asserting that the tour was not a topic he was obligated to raise during the campaign. The role of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales is set to be abolished by the end of the current Parliament, with responsibilities transferring to newly elected directly elected mayors.