Police Superintendent Paul Sanford issued this appeal: “With your help, I believe we can lessen the impact of this growing crime. We are always interested to know the details of any vans heavily laden with scrap metal driving around residential areas. Legitimate dealers can be quickly identified, whereas those collecting scrap without a licence – who are regularly found to be stealing metal – can be traced and prosecuted.”

Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101 with details of any suspicious vehicles.

One family reported toys being stolen from a child’s grave.

Investigating officer, PC Simon Gooch, said: “This type of action is very distressing for the victim at any of year, especially as these items are left as tokens of love and remembrance to those sadly missed. At Christmas, when thoughts for our loved ones are especially poignant, this is a wicked and cruel act to bestow on those left to remember and we offer our sympathies to all those affected.”

The thefts of toys and wreaths occurred between Christmas Eve and 30th December 2011.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents should contact PC Gooch at Earlham Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Norwich Youth Court just before Christmas on Thursday 22nd December, where he pleaded guilty to charges of affray and possession of an air weapon.

The charges relate to an incident on Bluebell Road on 8th October 2011 in Eaton Park, in which a 12 year old boy was shot. Two other youths, aged 14 and 15, arrested in connection with the incident were given final warnings.

Under the referral order, the offender is expected to agree a contract with a youth offender panel and encouraged to take responsibility for what they have done.

The teeenager was also ordered to pay £150 in compensation.

She was spotted driving without due care and attention along 7 streets in south Norwich during rush hour.

53 year old Perpetual Okotete also faces a charge of failing to stop for an officer, after being apprehended on Wednesday 7th December 2011. Her route had included Unthank Road, Newmarket Road, Eaton Road, Mile End Road, South Park Avenue, Bluebell Road and Earlham Road.

She is due before Norwich Magistrates on Friday 6th January 2012.

During the hour-long session, members of the public posed direct questions to policing commander, Superintendent Sanford online.

Issues raised included the challenges and costs of policing Norwich’s night-time economy and how police deal with traffic offences.

Virtual meetings will be rolled out in the New Year, offering an alternative way to raise issues or comment on specific policing issues. They will complement existing Safer Neighbourhood Team events held regularly at local community venues.

“We see this as a particularly useful alternative for those who cannot easily attend face-to-face police events, either through mobility, location or because it doesn’t fit in with their own schedule. It was great to listen to local concerns and be able to respond to these instantaneously.” said Supt Sanford.

Details of future online police meetings will be made available on the Norfolk police website.

Click here to see the map in detail showing which streets are affected by the 5 hour night time switch off.

The policy to switch lights off between midnight and 5am proved controversial when first proposed but Norfolk County Council say it will bring estimated annual savings of £47,000 across the city.

Over 12,000 letters were sent out across south Norwich, asking for comments on turning off the lights in June. The Union of UEA students are among those who object to the plans, raising concerns about student safety late at night. Shift workers, elderly people and people who live alone also raised concerns with their ward councillors about security. Bert Bremner (University, Labour) said: “I believe there will be real problems, but I hope there are not.”

Some roads have been ruled out for reasons such as speed bumps, emergency services routes or high security premises. Remote footpaths, subways and alleys linking residential streets will be exempt. The police have advised on exemptions for areas where crime could be increased as a result of lights going off, or where reducing crime will be affected.

More detail can be found on the council’s website,

Figures show a 78% drop in the amount of anti-social behaviour near the Hewett School on Cecil Road. Introduced 5 years ago, the area’s also seen a 14% drop in crime. Similar schemes in Great Yarmouth and Thetford have also have had a positive effect.

Safer Schools’ Partnership Officers work with young people and have found early intervention reduces the likelihood of young people making the wrong decisions.

Sgt Tim Horrobin, Safer Schools Partnership, said: “This initiative benefits all those involved [..] By adopting such a partnership approach to problem solving the complex needs and social issues affecting young people, we see a marked improvement in other areas.”

The arrests followed an operation targeting people-trafficking and prostitution, including a raid on a Golden Triangle brothel.

In July 2010, an illegal brothel, reportedly operating just off Unthank Road, was shut down and 3 arrests were made.

Suffolk Constabulary led the operation which saw officers execute five warrants at premises in Ipswich, Norwich, Harwich, Swindon and Tedburn St Mary in Devon. The UK Border Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Case Unit and the UK Human Trafficking Centre were also involved. Specialist officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency’s (SOCA) Vulnerable Persons Team were also brought in to help.

Police later revealed a victim of human-trafficking had been found during the Norwich raid.

Seven defendants – including the two arrested in Norwich – today pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to manage or assist in the management of brothels at Ipswich Crown Court.

The trial will be heard at Ipswich Crown Court on 18th June 2012.

Officers are appealing for information after a painting entitled ‘John Copeland (1777 – 1862) Grandfather of Lady White’ was taken from a first floor corridor.

The robbery happened sometime between midday on Thursday 17th November and midday on Friday 18th November.

Anyone with information should contact PC Michael Pearce, from Norwich City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Mark Barton, of Cotman Fields, Norwich, appeared at the city’s crown court yesterday after pleading guilty to three counts of robbery.

The court heard how Barton threatened bookmaker staff in Betfred on Hall Road and William Hill in Old Palace Road at knifepoint before getting away with more than £4,000 in cash. The first incident at Betfred happened on October 19th and just days into the investigation detectives took the unusual step of releasing a photograph of Barton who had been identified as the main suspect through CCTV.

Barton targeted the William Hill betting shop on October 28th before robbing city centre jewellers Aurum on November 1st. During the robbery Barton snatched a tray of jewellery worth £37,299 and ran from the shop, threatening to attack staff who had tried to challenge him. A short time later, Barton was detained by police and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre where he was questioned and later charged with the offences.

Barton was sentenced to a total of four years and 10 months imprisonment.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Firm, from Norwich CID, said: “These were very serious offences and frightening experiences for those involved and thankfully no-one was injured. Barton committed these brazen offences without concern for anyone else and he is now behind bars where he belongs.”