Norfolk's Police and Crime Panel has raised concerns about rises in both personal robbery and stalking and harassment offences across the county, calling for stronger prevention work in schools and town centres.

On robbery, a panel member noted that while overall levels remained comparatively low and Norfolk was described as a safe county, more in-person crime prevention messaging — such as reminders in town centres to keep valuables secure — could complement existing social media campaigns.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sarah Taylor cautioned that any town-centre messaging would need to raise awareness without causing undue alarm, particularly in areas important to tourism. She suggested the work might be best led through Community Safety Partnerships rather than the police alone.

On stalking and harassment, a member asked whether prevention work in schools should be strengthened, including programmes aimed at boys and young men to promote respect and challenge attitudes linked to offending.

The Director of Policy, Commissioning and Communications told the panel that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk had already convened a roundtable with education representatives. Working with Norfolk County Council Children's Services, partners are developing a clearer picture of the scale and nature of problems across schools.

Partners are waiting for further detail on the Government's national Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, which is expected to include a schools offer covering consent education, healthy relationships and challenging misogyny. Some local initiatives are already under way, including work by the Youth Offending Team.

The panel also heard that data from pages of the crime plan showed stalking and harassment figures were increasing, though no specific targets or timelines for reducing them were set at the meeting.