Working in partnership with Broads Authority Navigation Rangers, Norfolk Constabulary has two dedicated police officers, two special constables and two police community support officers (PCSOs) who patrol the Broads from Easter until October each year.

The team, who are all trained in boat handling and operating marine band radios, patrol 125 navigable miles of Norfolk’s waterways including the rivers Bure, Thurne, Waveney, Yare, Wensum and Chet, as well as the numerous dykes, staithes and boatyards. On request, our officers also work with colleagues from Suffolk Constabulary to patrol Oulton Dyke and Oulton Broad.

The patrols aim to offer reassurance and on-the-spot assistance to both local people and visitors to the county as well as dealing with a variety of anti-social and criminal activities and assisting the Broads Authority in enforcing local by-laws.

Broads Beat officers and their equipment are based at Hoveton Police Station which allows for central access to the Broads network.

Working with Navigation Rangers, our officers also have access to seven patrol launches owned by the Broads Authority. These boats are used on inland waterways and up to one mile offshore.

Broads Beat officers can be contacted to help in a range of incidents including missing people, potential drowning, searches, fires, anti-social behaviour and crimes.

To contact the team call 101 or email broadsbeat@norfolk.pnn.police.uk