Miscellaneous News Items

OFFICE OF THE POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER

Mr Giles Orpen-Smellie, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will be hosting online “Time to Talk” sessions, which are open to the public and offer an opportunity for a 15minute slot with the PCC either via Microsoft Teams or telephone to discuss any issues.  The dates these sessions are to be held are below and to book a slot please contact the PCC’s office directly at opccn@norfolk.police.uk or call 01953 424455.

 

Thursday 30th March 9.30-12.30

Friday 12th May 9.30-12.30

Friday 21st July 9.30-12.30

Friday 18th August 9.30-12.30

Friday 3rd November 9.30-12.30

 

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) which is overseen by the PCC’s office have partnered with Norfolk Black History Month to organise a Stephen Lawrence Day to recognise the 30th Anniversary of his death.

The event will be held on Friday 21st April 2023 (the day before the 30th anniversary) and will run from 2pm -7pm at the Forum, Norwich.

There will be stalls, live talks, art exhibition and a talking circle involving Dr Neville Lawrence and John Azah, Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Race and Equalities Council and Chair of the Independent Advisory Group of the Metropolitan Police Service.

The tone of the event will be to highlight the murder of Stephen Lawrence, (especially to younger residents who may not have heard his story) his important legacy for race relations and police performance, plus the continuing need to highlight inequity.

In addition the event will provide the local black community of Norfolk with a platform to share life experience, showcase businesses, support services and community groups.

Norfolk Black History Month will be the lead organiser and promoter and the local constabulary, crime and commissioner’s office, Norfolk & Norwich City Councils will support where necessary.

A number of resources will be used to support the event from the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, e.g. resources for schools, Stephen Lawrence timeline and video content. The stall participants will provide their own materials that promotes their interests.

The showcase piece of the event will be the lived experience talking circle, where a number of questions will be posed by Dr Neville Lawrence and John Azah and the participants will include constabulary, OPCC and local citizens.

The event will be professionally facilitated and a participant charter agreed to manage the safe space and trust.

The event will close with a silent vigil and Brooke Primary Children’s Choir singing a version of Stormzy’s ‘Blinded by your Grace’.