As an island we feel safe, isolated from the rest of Europe and surrounded by the sea.

Norwich Evening News: The bags of cocaine seized from the beach (Picture: NCA)The bags of cocaine seized from the beach (Picture: NCA) (Image: Archant)

We do not have open borders but still we are vulnerable to those who would attack by many means, one of which is the scourge of drugs which typically robs families of their children, or children from their parents.

Yesterday a haul of drugs was discovered on beaches on our east coast at Caister on Sea and Hemsby; a day earlier a pile of rucksacks and bags were found on the beach at Hopton on Sea - containing cocaine with an estimated street value of £50m.

Where did it come from? Who put it there? Was it dumped overboard and floated onto the beaches with the tides?

Norfolk's police and crime commissioner Lorne Green has called for a 'metaphorical ring of steel' to protect the country from drug smugglers. And added that in view of Norfolk's long unprotected coastline it was vital for the police and public to work together.

MORE: Coast watch officer says drugs found on Norfolk's coast 'likely' to come from northIndeed it was a dog walker on Hopton's beach, so angry about rubbish being flytipped on the beach, they called the police to complain - and hence the 'rubbish' was found to be the large quantity of holdalls containing the cocaine. How many of us would have done that? How many would have ignored it?

The dog walker should be praised for not just passing by but for taking action. We should follow this example and help to protect ourselves.