Norfolk's Police and Crime Panel has raised concerns about hate crime going unreported in the county, with a particular focus on victims with disabilities and members of the LGBT+ community.

Panel members asked what preventative activity and advice was being provided to communities ahead of a period of political change, and were told that the issue receives ongoing scrutiny through regular discussions with the Chief Constable.

A key priority identified is tackling under-reporting of disability hate crime. Work is being carried out to increase third-party reporting options and improve access to policing for deaf people, including engagement with the organisation Deaf Connections.

Separate engagement is also taking place with LGBT+ communities to understand what further support or changes would make people more likely to report hate crimes to police.

The panel was told that community tension levels are regularly monitored through partnership arrangements, and that work in this area is ongoing — not limited to election periods.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sarah Taylor emphasised that attention remains focused on the practical impact on individuals and on building confidence to report, with efforts described as targeted and delivered sensitively.

Panel members were assured the work is continuing as normal, following a separate concern raised by one member that a Constabulary meeting on a local issue had been cancelled during the election period. Officers confirmed that policing activity had not been reduced, but that restrictions were in place to maintain the police's apolitical position during the election.