Every story starts with someone who noticed something worth sharing. Whether it is a planning application that could reshape a neighbourhood, a sudden road closure disrupting the school run, or a new independent bookshop opening in the Norwich Lanes, local journalism depends on readers who spot what matters. We want to hear from you — but a great tip is more than just a rumour or a hunch. Here is how to make your contribution count.
What makes a good local tip
The best tips touch daily life in Norwich, Norfolk and East Anglia. They are specific, verifiable and rooted in the public interest. We are particularly interested in:
- Council decisions and planning applications — major developments, housing schemes, infrastructure projects, local plan changes, committee votes that affect your street or village.
- Road and transport issues — disruptive closures, new cycle lanes, bus route changes, rail service problems, parking controversies, pothole crises.
- School and NHS matters — Ofsted reports, school mergers or closures, hospital waiting times, GP surgery changes, cuts or investments in local health services.
- Business openings and closures — new shops, restaurants, markets, job losses, major employers expanding or leaving the area.
- Community events — festivals, protests, charity drives, cultural happenings with a wider angle than a simple listing.
- Anything affecting daily life — housing conditions, environmental concerns, public safety, policing, cost-of-living pressures, changes to public services.
A good tip answers: who is involved, what is happening, when and where it will happen (or happened), and why it matters to our readers. Even a fragment of information can be valuable — we will follow up and fill the gaps if the story warrants it.
How to reach us
We maintain separate email addresses so your tip lands with the right person quickly:
- tips@norwichwire.co.uk — for story ideas, leads and information that needs investigation.
- newsdesk@norwichwire.co.uk — for time-sensitive news, breaking events, urgent tips (please use this for things happening now).
- press@norwichwire.co.uk — for press releases, media announcements, official statements.
- community@norwichwire.co.uk — for community submissions, guest contributions, letters, opinion pieces.
- events@norwichwire.co.uk — for event listings, festival announcements, cultural calendar items.
If you are unsure, use info@norwichwire.co.uk — we will redirect it internally.
What to include
When you send a tip, please provide as much of the following as possible:
- Who, what, when, where — the core facts of the story.
- Materials — documents, photographs, video, links, correspondence, planning references. We accept secure attachments or cloud links.
- Your contact details — name and a way to reach you (phone or email). We will not publish your contact information without permission.
- On or off the record — please state clearly whether you are willing to be named as a source, whether you prefer to speak on background, or whether the information is strictly off the record. We will respect your wishes but may not be able to use anonymous tips unless the public interest is overwhelming.
How we verify tips
Every tip we take seriously goes through our standards desk, led by Daniel Keane, our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead. We cross-check facts against public records, official documents, multiple sources and direct observation. We never present rumours as facts. If we cannot verify a claim, we do not publish it. For more detail on our approach, read our Sources & Standards page and our Fact-Checking Policy.
Confidentiality
We treat all tipsters with care. If you wish to remain anonymous, we will protect your identity to the fullest extent possible under the law. For sensitive situations, you may contact our legal team at legal@norwichwire.co.uk. Any personal data you share is handled in line with our Privacy Policy.
What happens after you send a tip
We aim to acknowledge every tip within five working days. Not every tip will lead to a story — we receive many leads, and editorial judgment determines whether something is newsworthy, timely and verifiable. If we decide to pursue a tip, the relevant editor or reporter will follow up. You can also check our Contact page for alternative ways to reach us.
If you believe our reporting contains an error, please send corrections to corrections@norwichwire.co.uk. Our full Corrections Policy explains how we handle mistakes.
One last thing
We rely on the knowledge and eyes of people who live and work in Norwich and Norfolk. Your tip could be the start of an investigation, a celebration of local achievement, or a timely alert about a problem that needs fixing. Thank you for helping us cover this region properly.