The new Police & Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, Lorne Green, visited the Norwich Hebrew Congregation for post Kiddush discussion following a recent Shabbat Service.
Some 20 congregants stayed on to meet Lorne Green a former diplomat who has lived in Snettisham, west Norfolk, for 17 years.
The youthfull
70-year-old served in the Canadian diplomatic service for 30 years, including in Pakistan during its war with India in 1971, and as chargé d’affaires in Belgrade as Yugoslavia disintegrated, as well as five years as the executive assistant to the Canadian high commissioner in London.
Lorne told us of his Ukrainian Jewish background, his journey to and early life in Canada and successful diplomatic career. Now as the new PCC for Norfolk he is spending time visiting all corners of the county working with police and meeting faith, ethnic and other minority groups. Indeed the previous evening he had been out all night; firstly at the Wymondham police control room and then with officers on Prince of Wales Road, Norwich until 3.00am.
Lorne spoke about hate crimes and urged us to report any Anti Semitic/Racial incidence to the Police, however, small or unimportant we may feel they are as this is the only way in the longer term to stamp out such behaviors. This quietly spoken but confident man gave us a good and useful insight into the role of Police & Crime Commissioner. Our overall impressed was that we are indeed fortunate to have such a well-qualified and intelligent man in this important role. We look forward to seeing him again in our Shul.