Colin Sutton, the first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC to be elected under the Reform UK banner, has defended plans to undertake a nationwide theatre tour comprising more than 130 dates while serving as Norfolk’s PCC.
Commissioner says role is largely strategic
Mr Sutton, a former Metropolitan Police detective who led the investigation that secured the conviction of serial killer Levi Bellfield, will tour the country next year with a live production titled The Makings Of A Murderer – Double Jeopardy. Promoters’ listings show scheduled performances running between January and November 2027.
He told reporters the PCC role was not a “blue light” operational post and argued it was principally about setting priorities and budgets. Sutton said his appearances would be limited to short, predictable windows and that he would be “incommunicado” only during the performance itself.
“I’m not a blue light service where I go round and turn up at things.”
Outlining the logistics, he said he typically arrives at venues around 7pm, goes on stage at 7.30pm and is finished by about 10pm. He added he did not take part in rehearsals or stage preparation, and that the time he was unavailable to carry out PCC duties would therefore be limited to two‑hour blocks while on stage.
Criticism from opposition and concerns about capacity
Opposition politicians have questioned whether the tour is compatible with the demands of policing governance. Labour’s Ben Goldsborough, the MP for South Norfolk, told the BBC that “you can’t police a county from the back of a tour bus”, expressing concern about the visibility and accessibility of the county’s elected policing commissioner.
There are no reported changes yet to Mr Sutton’s working arrangements or specific assurances about cover for routine and emergency responsibilities on tour nights, beyond the PCC’s assertion that the role is strategic rather than operational.
- Post: Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner
- Party: Reform UK
- Tour title: The Makings Of A Murderer – Double Jeopardy
- Scheduled dates: Promoters list 130 shows (Jan–Nov 2027)
- Professional background: 30 years in policing; led investigation into Levi Bellfield
Remuneration and public time
Asked whether the tour was a source of additional income, Sutton acknowledged he was paid for the performances but said enjoyment and the chance to tour were primary motivations. He maintained that he had discussed the plan with his close advisers and believed his extracurricular work would not impinge upon his PCC duties. He also suggested the current list of dates was provisional and that some shows might be removed.
Those points touch on two recurring issues for office‑holders who engage in outside work: how their additional commitments are declared and managed, and what arrangements exist to ensure continuity of public duties. The PCC role includes responsibility for setting force budgets, overseeing the chief constable and engaging with local communities — tasks critics say can require prompt availability and public presence.
Broader implications for police governance
The episode will add to debate about the expectations of elected police oversight figures. PCCs have wide discretion in how they discharge their duties but are also directly accountable to the electorate. Where external activities are pursued, transparency about time commitments, financial arrangements and contingency cover tends to be demanded by both political opponents and members of the public.
Mr Sutton’s political profile has already attracted attention; a photograph published by PA showed him alongside Nigel Farage in July. For now, the commissioner’s position is that his personal preferences and contractual arrangements for the performances do not conflict with his statutory responsibilities — a claim that will be measured against the practical reality of fulfilling oversight duties across Norfolk while undertaking an extensive national tour.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner |
| Political party | Reform UK |
| Tour dates | Promoter listings show 130 (Jan–Nov 2027) |
| Previous career | 30 years in policing; led Levi Bellfield investigation |
Any formal challenges or requests for clarification about Mr Sutton’s ability to meet PCC obligations while touring are likely to come from local political groups, watchdogs or the force itself. Until then, the commissioner has signalled he intends to proceed while balancing what he describes as a strategic public role with occasional paid public appearances.
