Norfolk's elected police commissioner is weighing whether to abandon his planned 127-date theatre tour across the UK following significant public opposition to the venture. Colin Sutton, who was elected to the £79,000-a-year post on a Reform UK ticket in July, announced the "Makings of a Murderer" true crime show two months after taking office, but has now told the BBC he is "absolutely" reconsidering the commitment.
The backlash intensified after criticism of the tour emerged in early September, with constituents emailing Sutton to express concerns about his ability to fulfil his primary responsibilities. The detective, who led the investigation that resulted in the conviction of serial killer Levi Bellfield, had priced tickets for the show at approximately £40.
Speaking to Chris Goreham on BBC Radio Norfolk, Sutton explained that promoters had initially proposed the tour concept in 2025. He stated he had asked them to "hold fire" during the police and crime commissioner by-election process, emphasizing at the time that he would only proceed if confident the tour would not conflict with his official duties.
However, the promoters subsequently announced the full schedule of dates without his final approval. Sutton acknowledged that the tour will not proceed in the format currently published and that he is in discussions with the promoter about whether cancellation is the appropriate course of action. According to local reporting, Sutton is in urgent talks with the promoter to find a solution acceptable to all parties, with the schedule originally spanning from January to November.
What are the concerns about the tour?
Steffan Aquarone, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has been among the most vocal critics, accusing Sutton of treating the role as a secondary commitment. Aquarone argued that the scale of the tour was comparable to Taylor Swift's concert schedule, suggesting it was incompatible with serious public office.
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, Aquarone said, accusing Sutton of taking Norfolk voters for granted by not disclosing the tour plans during the election campaign.
Sutton rejected the suggestion that he had misled the electorate, arguing that the theatre show was not a matter requiring disclosure during the campaign. He acknowledged, however, that the reaction on social media and through emails to his office had caught him off guard.
That's made me think about it again, he conceded.
What is the role of a police and crime commissioner?
Police and crime commissioners are elected officials responsible for setting the strategic priorities of their local police force, appointing the chief constable, and holding that officer to account. The position carries significant governance responsibilities and is expected to demand substantial time and attention from its holder.
The government has announced plans to scrap the PCC role by the end of the current Parliament, with their powers to be transferred to newly directly elected mayors across England and Wales.
What solutions has Sutton proposed?
Recognizing the scale of the commitment required, Sutton has suggested one possible compromise: scaling back the tour to venues located only within Norfolk rather than pursuing a nationwide schedule.
My first priority is this role and to those people who live in Norfolk and I want to come out of my tenure being able to say I made a difference and made things better for them, he stated.
Sutton revealed that the demands of the commissioner role have exceeded his initial expectations, with significantly more work than anticipated during his first two months, including long hours and weekend commitments. He noted that attending a Norfolk police and crime panel meeting scheduled for 2 February before travelling to Leeds for a tour performance that same evening would present a logistical challenge, though he suggested that virtual attendance via video conferencing might offer an alternative solution.
What is the position of Sutton's party?
A spokesperson for Reform UK expressed support for Sutton, describing him as a "celebrity detective" and pointing out that approximately half of the proposed tour dates were scheduled for weekends. The party's backing suggests internal support for the venture, though this has not swayed public opinion or Sutton's own reconsideration of the commitment.
What happens next?
Sutton is scheduled to appear before the Norfolk police and crime panel on 2 February, a date that falls on the same evening as a planned Leeds performance, highlighting the scheduling pressures he faces. The outcome of his ongoing discussions with the promoter will determine whether the tour proceeds in a modified form, is cancelled entirely, or continues as originally announced. His decision is expected to be informed by further feedback from constituents and his assessment of whether the commitment is compatible with his primary responsibilities to Norfolk residents.
