Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Norfolk in East Anglia, England. The force serves a population of 908,000 in a mostly rural area of 2,079 square miles (5,380 km2),[1] including 90 miles (140 km) of coastline and 16 rivers, including the Broads National Park.[2] Headquartered in Wymondham, Norfolk is responsible for the City of Norwich, along with King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Thetford. As of March 2023, the force has a strength of 1,897 police officers, 163 special constables, 1,318 police staff/designated officers, and 103 police support volunteers.[3] The chief constable is currently Paul Sanford, and the police and crime commissioner is Giles Orpen-Smellie (Conservative).[4][5]
"Norfolk Police" redirects here. Not to be confused with Norfolk Police Department.Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Police
Our Priority is You
1839
- Norfolk Joint Constabulary
- Norwich City Police
- Great Yarmouth Borough Police
- 1,897 police officers
- 1,318 police staff
- 163 special constables
- 103 police support volunteers
£204 Million (2023 - 2024)
Norfolk, England, UK
2,079 square miles (5,380 km2)[1]
908,000[1]
- 1,897 Police Officers
- 163 Special Constables
- Giles Orpen-Smellie
- Paul Sanford, Chief Constable
Collaboration[edit]
Norfolk & Suffolk collaboration[edit]
Norfolk Constabulary and Suffolk Constabulary, the force bordering to the south, have collaborated numerous services together since 2010. An extensive programme of collaborative work has already delivered a number of joint units and departments in areas such as Major Investigations, Protective Services, Custody, Transport, HR, Finance and ICT.[14] In 2018, then-chief constable Simon Bailey stated that around £16 million had been saved by pooling resources with Suffolk.[15]
7 Force / Eastern Region collaboration[edit]
The 7 Force Collaboration Programme includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent police forces. This strategic collaboration programme was established in 2015 to develop and implement successful collaborative solutions to protect the frontline local delivery of policing. It collaborates on areas including Procurement, Training, Firearms, Driver Management, Digital Assets, Vetting and Forensics, along with ERSOU.[16]
Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service collaboration[edit]
2015 and 2016 respectively saw the relocation of the fire and rescue analysts team and senior management team to Norfolk Constabulary's Operations and Communications Centre (OCC) in Wymondham. This was followed in 2019 with emergency operators from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service being co-located within the Contact & Control Room (CCR) at OCC.[17]
History[edit]
19th and 20th centuries[edit]
Norfolk Constabulary was founded in 1839 under the County Police Act 1839, and was one of the first county forces to be formed.
In 1965, it had an establishment of 636 officers and an actual strength of 529.[18] In 1968 it amalgamated with Norwich City Police and Great Yarmouth Borough Police to form the Norfolk Joint Constabulary. In 1974, it returned to the present name Norfolk Constabulary.
Governance and budget[edit]
Since 2021, the force has been overseen by military veteran Giles Orpen-Smellie (Conservative) who is the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner.[5] Since 2021, the Chief Constable is Paul Sanford.[4]
Norfolk Constabulary's Budget (real terms) for 2023/2024 is £204 million, with £111 million being funded by the government and £93 million from precept (council tax).[32]
