Police officers were captured on a recording making racist and sexist remarks and jokes, and discussing illegal activities, including attempts to illegally arrest individuals and visiting a brothel. The recording was made inside the Bethel Street police station in Norwich in January 2023 after officers seized a body-worn camera from an animal rights activist during a protest.
The footage, which was later released on social media, has led to legal action by the camera's owner, Gemma Barnes. The recording includes officers discussing a visit to a local brothel, with one officer recounting an experience and another remarking about "happy endings." Another part of the recording features a female officer joking about illegally stop-searching Black women.
Barnes, a 36-year-old activist, stated that she was shocked but not surprised by the content, which she believes confirmed her suspicions of a "bullying sub-culture" within the police and that she was being targeted. Her solicitor, John Hagan, described the recording as lifting a veil on such a culture, noting that officers were heard making derogatory remarks about Barnes and discussing attempts to create unsubstantiated charges against her.
According to the notes, the camera was seized when Barnes was arrested for a public order offense after being pushed to the ground during a protest outside a police station. This arrest itself was later dismissed by a court. Barnes has a history of arrests, many of which have been dropped or dismissed, with one conviction later overturned on appeal.
Norfolk Constabulary acknowledged awareness of the footage, stating it was previously reviewed as part of a conduct investigation. The force indicated that some matters were addressed through misconduct processes, but the investigation's outcome is currently subject to a complainant's review with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The constabulary also noted that part of the footage being circulated had not previously been provided in its current format and was under further review. They acknowledged that the content could undermine public confidence and stated they would take action supported by evidence.
The IOPC's later investigation broadly agreed with findings, though it requested Norfolk Police reinvestigate an officer's explanation for arresting Barnes. Barnes is pursuing civil action against Norfolk Police for wrongful arrest, battery, and malicious prosecution. Her solicitor criticized the internal inquiry into the tape as a "whitewash," noting that while some complaint elements were upheld, no disciplinary action was taken, with officers instead ordered to undertake "reflective practice."