Following the arrest of West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris on suspicion of rape and child sex offences, trauma support is being made available to staff at the West of England Combined Authority.
Dan Norris, who has been leading the combined authority since 2021, was arrested on Friday, April 4, on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office. Most of the alleged offences are said to have occurred in the 2000s, with an additional investigation into an alleged offense of rape in the 2020s.
An email to all staff at the West of England Combined Authority assured them that specialist trauma support would be available from Monday morning. It also mentioned reaching out to the Avon and Somerset Police, who operate a victim-centered service and are committed to providing specialist support to anyone who reaches out.
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Norris, also a Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, has been released on conditional bail and was immediately suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest. He will not stand for re-election as Metro Mayor in the upcoming election on Thursday, May 1.
The email emphasized the importance of supporting colleagues impacted by the news and provided contact information for confidential support and the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
In addition, it mentioned that the police can be contacted through an online reporting tool or by calling 101 and asking for Bluestone.
