Councillors on Norfolk's Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub Panel have approved a series of new topics for investigation over the coming year, covering some of the county's most pressing public safety concerns.

The panel agreed to examine the safety implications of e-bikes, e-scooters and other motorised vehicles in pedestrian areas — a growing concern in town centres across Norfolk. Road safety will also come under scrutiny, with a specific focus on killed and seriously injured casualties, casualty prevention and road safety education.

Water safety and drowning prevention was added to the programme, as was modern slavery — with particular attention to work carried out by Norfolk Trading Standards.

The panel also agreed to review the broader partnership response to crime priorities identified through the development of the Police and Crime Plan. Gavin Thompson, Director of Policy and Commissioning at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, noted that the Commissioner is required to take the Community Safety Partnership Strategy into account when drawing up that plan. Councillors emphasised that victim support must be considered alongside raw crime figures, noting that even a single offence can have a profound impact.

Heritage crime — recently adopted by the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership as part of its rural crime priorities — was confirmed for the October meeting. A Norfolk Heritage Watch group has been established and is developing a strategic plan addressing the impact of anti-social behaviour on heritage sites.

On drug-related deaths, the panel was told that the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Partnership reports to the Health and Wellbeing Board rather than this panel. It was agreed that the partnership's annual report would be shared with members once the Board has considered it.

Domestic abuse data linked to the 2026 World Cup and other major sporting events — including alcohol and substance misuse trends — was also requested for a future meeting, following a proposal by Cllr Jade Martin.