Colin Sutton, who took office as Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner in July on a £76,000 annual salary, is drawing criticism after announcing an extensive national theatre tour spanning 130 performances.
Opposition politicians have questioned whether the Reform UK politician can effectively oversee Norfolk Police while undertaking such a demanding schedule. The former Metropolitan Police detective is scheduled to present his true-crime show across UK theatres from January to November 2027, with tickets priced around £40 per seat.
A spokeswoman for Sutton's office stated the tour "would not impact upon his ability to discharge his duties", and according to separate reporting, Sutton has characterised the performances as two-hour stage slots that fit around his strategic oversight role. However, Labour MP Ben Goldsborough expressed scepticism, stating
"you can't police a county from the back of a tour bus".
Sutton gained prominence during the 2000s as a detective leading the Metropolitan Police investigation that resulted in the capture of serial killer Levi Bellfield, responsible for the murders of Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange. Following his retirement from the force, he authored a book on the case, which was subsequently adapted into an ITV drama. He has since become a regular media commentator and was appointed Reform's national policing and crime advisor in the previous year.
After former Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Sarah Taylor stepped down, Sutton won the election to succeed her in July with a substantial majority. Police and Crime Commissioners are elected officials tasked with establishing police force priorities, recruiting a chief constable and maintaining accountability over their performance.
The show, titled "The Makings Of A Murderer – Double Jeopardy" according to current listings, was announced this week by promoters as an opportunity to explore real-life detective work. One particularly demanding stretch of the tour will take Sutton to Consett in County Durham, Tamworth in Staffordshire, Hunstanton in Norfolk, Llandudno in north Wales and Leeds over five consecutive nights—a route covering nearly 700 miles (1,126 kilometres) by vehicle.
What are the concerns about the tour?
Critics worry that Sutton's commitment to the theatre circuit will compromise his ability to respond to policing emergencies and represent Norfolk effectively. Goldsborough, the South Norfolk MP, argued
"If Colin Sutton wants to be a celebrity that's his choice, but Norfolk deserves a police and crime commissioner whose first priority is Norfolk."
Matthew Taylor, a Conservative county councillor who finished second in the PCC election, expressed shock at the plans.
"If there is a major incident, you would expect the police and crime commissioner to be there, front and centre,"he said, adding
"Not operationally, that's down to the chief constable, but in terms of lending his support, communicating with the public, being active and visible."
How has the commissioner's office responded?
A spokeswoman for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk stated that Sutton's activities are "being undertaken in a private capacity...in his own time" and that he would "remain available and contactable should any business require his attention". The office further confirmed that the dates had been discussed with it and that
"Based on these assurances, we are satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place and that there is no adverse impact on the performance of the commissioner's official responsibilities."
According to additional reporting, Sutton has stated that the performances are structured as two-hour stage slots, allowing him to maintain his strategic responsibilities for Norfolk Police.
What happens next?
Sutton is scheduled to launch a public consultation on policing priorities for Norfolk next week. He is also preparing a new Norfolk policing plan focused on rural crime, with release expected in October. The theatre tour is currently listed as running from January through November 2027, though some promoters have indicated the final number of performances may still change.
Key Facts
- Colin Sutton was elected Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner in July 2024 on a £76,000 annual salary
- His theatre tour, "The Makings Of A Murderer – Double Jeopardy", is scheduled for 130 performances from January to November 2027
- Sutton led the Metropolitan Police investigation that captured serial killer Levi Bellfield in the 2000s
- Police and Crime Commissioners set force priorities, appoint chief constables and hold them accountable
- His office maintains the tour will not affect his ability to perform his official duties
