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For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on 0300 111 0300

Grantham police station: (01476) 402222
Stamford police station: (01780) 752222
Spalding police station: (01775) 722233
Bourne police station: (01778) 394892
Crimestoppers: 0800 555111

Watchline message from Lincolnshire Police HQ, Community Safety Unit.

A Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator in another part of the county received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing him that he was to be disconnected because of an unpaid bill. The caller demanded payment immediately or the victim would be disconnected.
Obviously the offender realized the victim didn't believe his story, so
offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. The victim asked how, and was
told to hang up and try phoning someone - he would disconnect the victims phone to prevent this.
AND HE DID!! His phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until the offender phoned him again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was from BT. The victim asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there and then.
The victim told him that he didn't know how he'd done it, but had absolutely no intention of paying him, as he didn't believe his name, or that he worked for BT. The alleged BT caller hung up.
The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. This is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them taking large amounts out your account. If you have any elderly or vulnerable neighbours please make them aware of this scam. Thank you.

Police update on new road

The new A1073, which is currently well advanced in its construction, was originally scheduled for completion in Autumn 2010. Until recently it had been hoped to finish earlier than planned but stability issues have arisen on the embankment approaching Car Dyke Bridge, within the Peterborough section of the scheme. The embankment will now require investigation and further work to ensure the long-term durability and safety of this section of the road.

Geotechnical experts are carrying out tests which will determine the best course of action to stabilise the embankment. Until the issue near Car Dyke has been resolved, we are unfortunately unable to open that section of road. However, following discussions with Peterborough City Council, we will be diverting vehicles onto the section of road within Lincolnshire from the A16 to the new roundabout south of Crowland in the next week or so. Utilising this initial section of road will allow some of the local communities to start benefiting from improved safety and relief from congestion in advance of the whole road opening.

As this project is led by Lincolnshire County Council, we are naturally disappointed that this section has not been able to open as early as anticipated. We know that Peterborough City Council will support us in our endeavours to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. We look forward to the new road being fully opened in due course, allowing all the local communities to benefit from improved safety and relief from congestion, and for the region to benefit from the important strategic link to the East of England. Further updates will be issued once we have a clearer idea of the timescales involved.

High Risk Missing Person - Lewis Parnham (17) - PIC AVAILABLE FROM JAMES NEWALL
Police are keen to trace Lewis Parnham (17), who went missing from his home in St Paul’s Road, Spalding, at around 11am on July 27. Officers are concerned for Lewis’s safety and they believe he may be in a fragile state of mind. They would like Lewis, or anyone who sees him to get in touch with them as soon as possible so they can reassure his family that he is safe and well. Lewis is described as about 6ft 3in tall and of medium build. He has blond wavy hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a green hooded raincoat, grey tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

Aggravated Burglary - Acacia Avenue, Spalding - Inc 238 of July 29
Police are appealing for information after an 88-year-old woman was burgled in her own home. This incident took place at around 1.40pm today (July 29) in Acacia Avenue, Spalding. An offender knocked on a window at the back of the property to attract the occupant’s attention. The occupant then opened an external door letting the offender approach an unlocked internal door. The offender pushed his way through this, pushed the pensioner into a chair and searched the house. It is unclear if anything was taken. The victim was shaken, but unhurt. Police are appealing for information on the offender, who is described as in his 30s with dark hair. He was wearing a dark suit and dark-rimmed glasses.
Anyone with any information can call Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300.

For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

Aggravated Burglary – Acacia Avenue, Spalding – Inc 238 of July 29

Police are appealing for information after an 88-year-old woman was burgled in her own home.
This incident took place at around 1.40pm today (July 29) in Acacia Avenue, Spalding.
An offender knocked on a window at the back of the property to attract the occupant’s attention. The occupant then opened an external door letting the offender approach an unlocked internal door. The offender pushed his way through this, pushed the pensioner into a chair and searched the house. It is unclear if anything was taken. The victim was shaken, but unhurt.
Police are appealing for information on the offender, who is described as in his 30s with dark hair. He was wearing a dark suit and dark-rimmed glasses.
Anyone with any information can call Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300.

South Holland NP Area

Burglary – Barrington Gate, Holbeach – Inc 66 of July 28
Police are appealing for information after cash was stolen from a house in Holbeach.
This incident took place between 11pm on July 27 and 7am this morning. An offender climbed through a small window on a set of bay windows at the front of a house in Barrington Gate, Holbeach, and stole a handbag and purse containing cash.

For anyone who missed it on this morning’s HQ briefing…

PLEASE NOTE - NEW STAFFING AND MEDIA BRIEFING ARRANGEMENTS FROM LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE FROM NEXT WEEK

Details of all incidents will be placed directly on to the News Centre pages of our web site throughout each day as we get to hear of them and will continue to be updated as they develop. This will in effect be a 'viewable' Voicebank. We will continue to use the Voicebank system for negative returns and updating any incidents of note. This will now be backed up with a written version in the website News Centre - for full details about the News Centre please see below.

The current e-mail briefing is circulated to 161 addresses which have requested to receive it. Even if only half those recipients called our office only once a day, you can perhaps imagine how busy the phones are, especially when a newsworthy incident is running!

These new arrangements are aimed at making optimum use of our resources, improving our efficiency, providing an equable service to all those interested and providing you with a spontaneous briefing service and a quick and efficient way of checking current incidents.

The team in the HQ press office constantly keep track of incidents being called into the Force via the Force Command and Control Room. When incidents are significant enough for release they will be uploaded to our news centre and updated as they develop as well as being recorded on to the Voicebank. Anything we assess as of public and/or media interest will be shown on the News Centre and/or Voicebank. Because of this, the press office will treat as low priority any speculative or random calls relating to emergency service sirens and similar.

PLEASE NOTE - THE NEW SYSTEM WILL RUN ALONGSIDE THE OLD SYSTEM FOR A TRANSITION PERIOD BETWEEN 2ND AND 6TH AUGUST

Lincolnshire Police Website - News Centre

To access the ‘News Centre’ section of the Lincolnshire Police website visit: <http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/> or click the ‘News Centre’ link in the main navigation. You can then navigate to the various sections from here or go direct to the sections as detailed below:

Here is a summary of the main News Centre sections:
Press Releases

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Press-Releases/>

This section contains press releases issued by Lincolnshire Police and press releases issued on behalf of our partners. Press releases will be available online for 5 years from their original publication date, effectively creating a searchable news archive.
Appeals

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Appeals/>

Lincolnshire Police appeals are split into two categories - ‘Witnesses And Information’ and ‘Missing Persons’

Witnesses And Information

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Appeals/Witnesses-and-Information/>

Any media release where we are asking for assistance or information about an incident. Witness and information appeals are generally available online for 1 month from the initial publication date.

Missing Persons

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Appeals/Missing-Persons/>

Appeals for information about missing people issued by Lincolnshire Police or on behalf of other UK police forces.

Missing persons appeals stay on the website until the person has been found. Periodically the incident log is checked for any developments and appeals are updated or removed as necessary.

Major Incidents

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Major-Incidents/>

The Major Incidents section aims to store all public media releases (appeals, press releases, CCTV footage etc) relating to a particular high profile incident in one place to make it easier to track progress.

Releases about Major Incidents are also posted under the relevant appeals or press releases category as usual.

News Feeds

<http://www.lincs.police.uk/rss.aspx>

Our news feeds provide an easy way to keep up to date with Lincolnshire Police news and appeals.

News feeds allow you to see when websites have added new content. You can get the latest headlines and appeals in one place, as soon as its published, without having to visit the website itself.

Most modern web browsers now offer ‘News Reader’ functionality or you can download separate software to install on your computer or mobile phone. For more about news feeds and how to view and use them please see the short BBC guide at: <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628494>

You can view and subscribe to all Lincolnshire Police news feeds at: <http://www.lincs.police.uk/rss.aspx>

The above changes co-incide with staff changes from early August:

HQ Press Office:

Senior Press Officer

Dick Holmes will reduce hours to 4 days a week which facilitates the following part-time overlap of press office staff:

Press Officers:

Jemma Peacock (formerly from West Division) returns to work at HQ Press Office on a 3 day week.

Debra Tinsley will also begin working a 3 day week.

Apart from periods of annual leave and other extractions this provide a service from the press office from 0830 to 1700 each weekday.

OUT OF HOURS

An out of hours on-call rota will continue to be operated by four of the team. Please note they are on-call at the behest of the Force Command and Control Centre for major incidents. Inspectors or Supervisors will continue to update the Voicebank with details of any incidents of note which happen when the press office team are not at work.

Any incidents of note over the weekend will be updated direct to the website news centre by the on-call press officer.

For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

Op Fusion - Holbeach Man Charged With Burglary at Hotel in Lincoln
Yesterday Spalding CID charged Michael James Weaver (27), of West End, Holbeach, with burglary at the White Hart Hotel in Bailgate, Lincoln, on July 19. A laptop worth around £400 was stolen. Weaver was arrested and questioned by detectives at Spalding Police Station. He was then charged and released on conditional police bail to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on August 13.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

South Holland NP Area
Op Fusion - Holbeach Man Charged With Burglary at Hotel in Lincoln
Yesterday Spalding CID charged Michael James Weaver (27), of West End, Holbeach, with burglary at the White Hart Hotel in Bailgate, Lincoln, on July 19. A laptop worth around £400 was stolen. Weaver was arrested and questioned by detectives at Spalding Police Station. He was then charged and released on conditional police bail to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on August 13.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

South Holland NP Area
Op Fusion – Burglary Arrest
Police arrested a 35-year-old local man at the weekend in relation to a burglary in St Matthew’s Close, Holbeach, on July 12. He has been questioned by detectives and released on police bail pending further enquiries until August 25.

Op Fusion – Burglary Arrests
A 17-year-old Spalding boy, a 15-year-old Spalding Boy and a 13-year-old Spalding boy have been arrested in relation to burglaries in Queens Road and Osier Road in Spalding yesterday. They have been questioned by CID and released on bail pending further enquiries. The 17-year-old and the 13-year-old will answer bail on July 30 and 15-year-old will return to Spalding Police Station on August 27.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

South Holland NP Area

Op Fusion – Holbeach Man Charged With Burglary at Hotel in Lincoln
Yesterday Spalding CID charged Michael James Weaver (27), of West End, Holbeach, with burglary at the White Hart Hotel in Bailgate, Lincoln, on July 19. A laptop worth around £400 was stolen. Weaver was arrested and questioned by detectives at Spalding Police Station. He was then charged and released on conditional police bail to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on August 13.

For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

South Holland NP Area

Op Fusion – Burglary Arrest
Police arrested a 35-year-old local man at the weekend in relation to a burglary in St Matthew’s Close, Holbeach, on July 12. He has been questioned by detectives and released on police bail pending further enquiries until August 25.

For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

South Holland NP Area

Operation Fusion - Burglary Charge - Spalding

On Friday evening Spalding detectives charged Darius Sidoras (25), of Bourne Road, Spalding, with a burglary in Pennygate, Spalding, on July 10. A Mac book laptop, an Ipod and a wallet were stolen. He was remanded in custody and appeared at Grantham Magistrates Court on Saturday. Please ring the court for his next appearance date.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300 South Holland NP Area

Operation Fusion - Distraction Burglary - Flinders Road, Donington
Police were called to Flinders Road, Donington, at around 6pm on July 14 after reports that a 72-year-old woman had been burgled.
Two youths knocked on the door and when the occupant answered, one kept her talking while the other went into the house and stole £15 from her purse.
Officers attended the scene and arrested a 13-year-old Boston boy in connection with the incident. He is currently helping police with their enquiries at Spalding Police Station. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to the other offender.

Operation Fusion - Burglary Arrest - Spalding
On July 15 police arrested a 25-year-old local man on suspicion of Burglary in relation to an offence in Winsover Road, Spalding, on May 21.
He has been questioned by detectives and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until August 14.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300

Operation Fusion – Burglary Charge – Spalding

The Police enquiry Operation Trundle commenced in June 2006 following a
complaint from a will beneficiary who was concerned over the time taken to settle an
estate by the executor’s, Willmakers of Distinction Limited of Bracebridge Heath near
Lincoln.
The enquiry undertaken by the Economic Crime Unit was complex and particularly
difficult, a derivative company Willmakers of Distinction Trustees Limited had taken
custody of monies collected in on deceased persons estates. The parent company had
since entered liquidation and a phoenix company Willmakers of Distinction (UK)
Limited had traded in its wake. This company too had entered liquidation by the time
the enquiry commenced and no ‘door way’ to the Trustee company remained.
No records of the Trustee company and monies it held in trust had been kept and
the Police had to reconstruct the business of the company from speculative searches
through the Probate Office in London.
It was established that in excess of £400,000 had been plundered from the estates of
deceased persons and over £12,000 worth of pre-paid funeral bonds had been pilfered.
The suspects were arrested and duly processed through the Courts on an indictment
loaded with specific theft counts and fraudulent trading in respect of the companies.
Managed estates were from all parts of the country impacting upon beneficiaries from
as far afield as the Shetland Islands in the north to Somerset in the south and included
several charities including the RSPCA, RSPB, Macmillan Nurses, The Alzheimers
Society, the West Midlands Air Ambulance and a hospice in central London.
Due to the overwhelming evidence the suspect David NASH of North Hykeham
pleaded guilty on 1st April 2010 prior to a listed trial getting under way. The suspect
Nicholas BUTCHER of Saxilby pleaded guilty on 15th April as the trial started. The
suspect Raymond PRINCE of Bilsby near Alford the step father of NASH pleaded not
guilty to his lesser part of the indictment.
In the course of the trial he has been acquitted of one count of theft, the jury were
unable to decide another such count but found him guilty of fraudulent trading in the
operation of both Willmakers of Distinction Limited and Willmakers of Distinction
Trustees Limited.
All three suspects will be sentenced on 16th July.
The Police enquiry will now turn toward a financial enquiry and will try and
identify the proceeds of the crimes committed with a view to confiscation under the
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The enquiry officers Nicola CRAWFORD and Neil
HOLLINGSWORTH of the Economic Crime Unit wish to reassure the beneficiaries
of the plundered estates that they will leave no stone unturned in their quest to
identify assets that the Courts may consider for confiscation and compensation.
The officers point to the adage ‘Buyer Beware’ and urge consumers to always check
out who they are about to do business with, particularly in cases such as this where
potentially huge assets are to be entrusted to someone beyond their knowledge.

WARNING ABOUT SUMMERTIME CRIME
In the summertime, when the weather is fine……make sure you’re not a victim of crime.

This is the message being put out by Lincolnshire Police following a spate of opportunist burglaries through open windows. PC Nic Hanson who is the Crime Reduction Officer for Boston, Horncastle and Spilsby/Wainfleet is concerned that thieves are being given an open invitation. “Open windows and doors may let in the fresh air during hot spells but it takes just seconds for a burglar to walk or reach in to grab purses and other valuables from windowsills and worktops”, explained PC Hanson. “However, following some simple guidelines can really reduce your risk of becoming a victim of burglary or theft.”

PC Hanson advises:
♦ If you are at the rear of the house or in the garden, always ensure the windows and doors at the front are locked.
♦ Lock all downstairs windows at night.
♦ Make sure your house is secure when you leave it, even if just for a few minutes.
♦ Do not leave valuables in sight or reach of any open windows.
♦ Mark up valuables with your postcode. UV markers can be used but, if the item is suitable, paint pens, or other overt permanent markers make the item less attractive to thieves as they are harder to re-sell.

Crimestoppers Focuses on Lincoln’s Night-Life with the ‘Gauge Your Behaviour!’ Campaign

This weekend Lincoln city centre will see the launch of a Crimestoppers campaign aimed at raising awareness and reporting about the type of crime that can occur in the city at night.

The ‘Gauge Your Behaviour’ campaign started on Friday 16 July and will run every Friday evening up to Friday 6 August. It will bring together a number of organisations and agencies involved in dealing with the night time economy and play a part in making it as safe and crime-free as possible.

The evening’s activities will take place on Brayford Wharf, between 7pm and 9pm. Here, volunteers from the Casualty Union, wearing Crimestoppers t-shirts, will be made up with minor injuries, and will be interacting with the public to raise awareness of Crimestoppers and to encourage reporting. There will also be vans with TV screens on the side and interactive screens containing information about alcohol, crime and the law. Banners and publicity will be displayed, and blue tooth messages will be sent to people in the area.

PC Jane Pickworth of the Lincoln City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team says, “We’ve already distributed Crimestoppers publicity and information to pubs and clubs in the area, and have been met with a really positive response and co-operation from owners and managers. It’s in everyone’s interest to make the city as safe as possible for people to enjoy, and we are fortunate in Lincoln that, in the main, people enjoying a night out do so without becoming involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour. However, this campaign will help us to tackle the few who do not act responsibly by harnessing the most important source of information to us, members of the public.”

Sector Inspector for Lincoln Centre, Mark Garthwaite welcomes the Crimestoppers campaign saying, “This builds on the excellent relationship and joint working we have with organisations such as Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, East Midlands Ambulance Service, the City of Lincoln Anti Social Behaviour Team and the Lincoln Street Pastors. Crimestoppers is a valuable source of information to help tackle and detect crime, and this campaign will hopefully encourage reporting by raising awareness that it can be used for any type of crime, including assaults and criminal damage and any criminal activity fuelled by alcohol."

Members of the public are encouraged to go along to Brayford Wharf this Friday, or the next three Fridays, to get involved in what’s going on.

Lincolnshire Police Hit the Road for ‘More Action’

Lincolnshire Police will hitting the road throughout the summer carrying out a series of community engagement events aimed at raising awareness and talking to local people. The events, which kick off on 23 July, will give local residents the opportunity to speak to officers and staff, to hear about the work being carried out to combat crime in their areas and to discuss issues in their community. “These events are about engaging with our communities and demonstrating that we’re absolutely committed to providing the very best of service,” explained Deputy Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. “The activity will give an added boost to neighbourhood policing, increase our visibility and allow us some valuable time to talk about things that really matter to local people,” he said. The events will run from 9.30am until 4pm and there will be lots for people to see and hear. Bobby Bear will be making an appearance at some of the events, as will Lincolnshire Police dog handlers and their charges, puppies in training and there will even be police diving equipment on display. In addition, the police will be joined by partner agencies, such as the local authority, Lincolnshire County Council, the Road Safety Partnership and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue at some of the locations. “We want people to see what we’re doing to keep them safe and showcase some of the excellent work we’re doing” said DCC Rhodes. “There will be representatives from operational support including roads policing, crime support and, of course, neighbourhood policing.” Each event will be focused around the mobile police stations with plenty to take in, such as a vehicle that has been seized for being driven illegally and crushed, which it is hoped will provide a timely reminder to the fate of many of the uninsured vehicles on Lincolnshire’s roads. The activity will use examples of good work undertaken by Lincolnshire Police, using simple statistics to demonstrate the force’s effectiveness. “Despite that fact that statistics confirm crime levels are falling, there are still too many people who aren’t feeling this,” explained DCC Rhodes. “We are succeeding in making the county a safe place to live and work, but as well are reducing crime we’re keen to reduce the fear of crime and get public perception in line with reality,” said DCC Rhodes “We hope these events will give us the ideal opportunity to begin to change hearts and minds.” In a bid to reach those whose first language is not English, many of the events will be attended by staff who speak other languages.

The events will be held at the following locations:
•       Stamford (Town Centre)- Friday, 23 July
•       Grantham (Town Centre) - Friday, 30 July
•       Lincoln (City Centre)- Thursday, 5 August
•       Skegness (Grand Parade) - Wednesday 11 August
•       Gainsborough (Marshalls Yard) - Saturday 14 August
•       Spalding (Springfields Outlet Centre) - Tuesday 17 August.
•       Boston (Market Place) - Wednesday 25 August

AGENCIES JOIN TOGETHER TO TACKLE RIVER PROBLEM

Representatives from five different agencies came together in Boston on Thursday 8 July to discuss a joint approach to tackling the problem of riverside anti-social behaviour.
Areas along the Witham, particularly near the Sluice Bridge and at Anton’s Gowt, have been the site of numerous dangerous and irresponsible acts in recent months including jumping from the railway bridge, trespassing on moorings and interfering with boats. The different agencies each have separate areas of jurisdiction and the group hope that by making it very clear to young people what the penalties for the offences are, then they will think twice and a potential tragedy can be averted.

British Transport Police are responsible for prosecuting anyone who trespasses onto the railway bridge or tracks and have recently started proceedings against a number of local youths. The penalty for this offence is a maximum fine of £1000 but, if a train has to stop as a result of a trespasser on the line, that person could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. BTP will be working with Network Rail to make the bridge less accessible to trespassers.

British Waterways will be working in partnership with Boston Borough Council’s Community Safety Team to target those entering the water or trespassing on to their moorings at Witham Bank East and Anton’s Gowt. Warning letters will be issued in the first instance but repeated behaviour could result in a civil prosecution and a fine of £100. Similar warning letters will also be issued by the Boston Borough team to anyone acting anti-socially in the area of the Marina, Yacht Club, Rowing Club or the footpaths and banks and these letters will be delivered to under 18s in the presence of their parents or guardians with the stark warning that such behaviour could result in the issuing of an ASBO.

The Council’s CCTV systems provide comprehensive coverage of the problem areas and images will be used to identify offenders and provide evidence in court.

Lincolnshire Police will continue to treat these areas as a high priority and Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Response officers will provide a highly visible patrol, dealing with any criminal offences, such as damage, as well as gathering information and details of offenders for enforcement or prosecution by the relevant agency.

PC Fran Harrod is the Community Beat Manager for the Boston Urban East Neighbourhood Policing Team and she has drawn the agencies together in response to increasing concerns from local residents and visitors.

“The thoughtless actions of a few have had a major impact on tourism in Boston”, explained PC Harrod. “Boat owners are choosing not to visit and moor here amid fears of vandalism and this massive loss in revenue for British Waterways impacts on the whole economy of Boston. Likewise, when a train is held up due to people climbing on the bridge, the entire East Midlands network is affected”.

Throughout the coming weeks and months, the joint agency group will be inviting residents and river users to a series of public meetings where the long term plan of education and enforcement can be discussed.

PC Harrod finished by saying “The message from all of us is clear. Think, be safe and heed the warnings. If you don’t, we are all committed to making sure you will be dealt with.”

Operation Fusion – Distraction Burglary – Flinders Road, Donington
Police were called to Flinders Road, Donington, at around 6pm on 14 July after reports that a 72-year-old woman had been burgled. Two youths knocked on the door and when the occupant answered, one kept her talking while the other went into the house and stole £15 from her purse. Officers attended the scene and arrested a 13-year-old Boston boy in connection with the incident. He is currently helping police with their enquiries at Spalding Police Station. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to the other offender.

Operation Fusion – Burglary Arrest - Spalding
On July 15 police arrested a 25-year-old local man on suspicion of Burglary in relation to an offence in Winsover Road, Spalding, on 21 May. He has been questioned by detectives and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until 14 August.

Operation Fusion – Arrest – Theft of Plant Machinery worth £100,000
At around 6.40am on 14 July officers were informed via a satellite tracking device that a digger, belonging to a Middlesex-based firm and stolen from the Cambs area the previous day, was on their patch. After extensive searches it was found in a yard in the Moulton Chapel Area. A 58-year-old local man was arrested and handed over to Cambs Police. He is currently helping them with their enquiries.

Commercial Burglary – Spar, Knight Street, Pinchbeck – Inc 31 of 14 July
Police are appealing for information after a large quantity of cigarettes were stolen from a shop in Pinchbeck. Thieves broke into the Spar in Knight Street, Pinchbeck, at around 3:13am on 14 July through a fire door at the side of the property. They stole a large amount of cigarettes from a kiosk and a small amount of alcohol (exact amounts and values not yet calculated).

Burglary – Littlebury Gardens, Holbeach – Inc 209 of 12 July
Police are appealing for information after a camera and an iPod were stolen through a letter box. This incident took place between 3am and 4am at a house in Littlebury Gardens, Holbeach, on 12 July. It is thought offenders used some kind of implement to reach in through a letterbox and steal an Ipod, a camera and a purse from a table in the hallway, just inside the doorway.

Burglary – Wedgewood Drive – Spalding – Inc 72 of 12 July
Police are appealing for information after electrical goods were stolen from a house in Spalding. This incident took place overnight on 11/12 July in Wedgewood Drive, Spalding. Offenders got into the house through an unlocked front door and stole a Samsung mobile phone, a Toshiba laptop and a brown leather wallet.

Op Fusion - Robbery/Arrests – St Guthlac’s Church, Church Street, Market Deeping – Inc 31 of 11 July
Police were called to St Guthlac’s Church in Church Street, Market Deeping, at around 12.30am on July 11 after reports that a 16-year-old boy had been robbed in the church yard.
The boy had been walking along with a friend when they were approached by a group of youths. One of the offenders asked the victim for a light. The victim ignored this as he felt intimidated and he was then punched in the face and head by the offenders. His mobile phone, Keys and Ipod were taken. Officers attended the scene and arrested a 15-year-old local boy, a 16-year-old local boy and two 18-year-old local men on suspicion of robbery a short time later. They were questioned and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries until August 13.

Rape – Fen Road, Ruskington, near Sleaford – Inc 63 of 11 July
Police are appealing for information after a 40-year-old woman was raped in Ruskington. This incident took place at approximately 2am this morning (July 11). A 40-year-old woman was walking over the railway bridge in Fen Road, heading into the village of Ruskington when she was approached from behind by an offender and raped. DCI Shaun West said: “We know there was a village social event in Ruskington last night and that may mean there were more people than normal out and about at that time. We need anyone who thinks they may have witnessed this incident, or anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Op Fusion – Metal Theft Arrest/Charge – Dozen’s Bank, West Pinchbeck – Inc 99 of 10 July
Police were called around 2.20am on July 10 after reports that galvanised steel had been stolen from a commercial yard at Dozen’s Bank, West Pinchbeck. The owner of the yard had woken up when he heard offenders stealing the steel fence post. The offenders loaded the post into a van and drove off. The victim followed the offenders in his car and guided officers in to stop the vehicle. Two offenders were arrested on suspicion of theft. One was released with no further action. Wayne Jones (39), of Orchard Way, Balderton, near Newark, was charged with theft. He was released on bail to attend Spalding Magistrates Court on July 29.

QUESTION TIME - LINCOLNSHIRE POLICING ON THE INTERNET

‘Engaging to Ensure Effective Policing’

Lincolnshire Police Authority is broadcasting a series of ten-minute programmes on its website in which senior officers and authority members answer questions from members of the public about policing and community issues.

“Most of the questions came from visitors to the police open day”, said John Horton, the Authority’s Engagement and Communications Officer. “We also asked people to submit questions on-line. The first three programmes cover a wide range of subjects and we hope viewers will find them interesting as well as informative. We would be delighted to receive comments - and more questions”.

Police Authority Chairman Barry Young was joined on the Question Time panel by Authority Vice Chairman John Cooke, Deputy Chief Constable Neil Rhodes, and Divisional Commander Chief Supt. Russ Hardy. The event was hosted by former Yorkshire Television and BBC Lincolnshire presenter Alan Hardwick. The programmes are available on both Force and Authority web sites (www.lincs.police.uk and www.lincolnshire-pa.gov.uk). They have also been posted on YouTube.

Chairman Barry Young commented, “For the first programmes we were not able to accommodate an audience in the studio but depending on interest from the public we intend to pursue that option in future programmes. Ultimately we would like to produce and record a series of debates on policing that will feature a panel of experts and an audience of Lincolnshire residents.”
For more information, please contact John Horton, Lincolnshire Police Authority 01522 558 521

Snowdrop Place, Spalding – Inc 73 of 8 July
Police are appealing for information after electrical equipment was stolen from a house in Spalding.
This incident took place sometime overnight on July 7/8 in Snowdrop Place, Spalding. Offenders broke in through a conservatory window and stole a video camera, a TV, a mobile phone and a wallet.

Theft from Vehicle – Northorpe Road, Donington – Inc 260 of 6 July
Police are appealing for information after machinery was stolen from a truck in Donington. This incident took place between 11.30am to 12.30pm on July 6 in Northorpe Road, Donington. Offenders stole a disc cutter from the back of an open white Toyota truck.

Injury collision - A16 Cowbit - Incident 297/5
Emergency services were called to the A16 at Cowbit about 1405 Monday 5 July where the rider of a green Honda motor cycle had come off his machine. The 20 yr old man from Holbeach was airlifted to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston where his condition is not thought to be life threatening.

Burglary – East End, Langtoft, 5 July
Police are appealing for information after thieves stole jewellery and electrical goods from a house in Langtoft. Thieves broke into the house in East End, Langtoft, sometime between 8.45am and 11.30am on July 5. Offenders smashed a conservatory window to get in and stole jewellery, including watches and rings, along with a Nintendo Wii and games, a digital camera and a DVD player.

Burglary – High Road, Moulton – Inc 400 of 5 July
Police are appealing for information after a guitar was stolen from a house in Moulton. This incident took place sometime between July 1 and July 5 in High Road, Moulton. Offenders got in through an unlocked window and stole a guitar.

Theft from Vehicle - Banks Avenue, Spalding, 2 July
Police are appealing for information after a car stereo was stolen in Spalding. This incident took place sometime between 1am and 6.30am on 2 July in Banks Avenue, Spalding. Offenders broke into the silver Peugeot and stole a Sony CD player/stereo.

Theft from Vehicle - Cassons Close, Weston Hills, 1 July
Police are appealing for information after a sat nav was stolen from a car in Weston Hills. This incident took place between 11pm on 1 July and 7am on July 2 in Cassons Close, Weston Hills. Offenders broke into a grey Peugeot 206 and stole a Garmin sat nav.

Burglary – Princess Street, Sutton Bridge – Inc 95 of June 28
Police are appealing for information after a mobile phone and a wallet were stolen from a house in Sutton Bridge.
This incident took place between 12 noon on June 27 and 8.40am the following morning in Princess Street, Sutton Bridge. Offenders broke into the house through a back door and stole a wallet and a mobile phone.

Burglary – Albert street, Spalding – Inc 224 of June 28
Police are appealing for information after flat-pack furniture was stolen from a house in Spalding.
This incident took place sometime between 6pm on June 27 and 12.28pm on June 28 in Albert Street, Spalding.
Offenders broke in through a kitchen window and stole flat-pack kitchen units.

Missing Person Appeal - Robert Handley - Update - Found
Robert Handley, missing from his home in Dunston Fen, Metheringham from 5am on Tuesday 29 June was found locally on the same day at around 8.45pm. Police would like to thank the media for their help with this appeal. Lincolnshire Police apologise for the delay in this update.

Police Warn Householders to be Vigilant Against Hot Weather Burglaries
Police in Gainsborough are urging residents to remain security-conscious during this spell of hot weather. In the last couple of days, there have been two burglaries in the West Lindsey area, one in central Gainsborough and one in Willingham-by-Stow, whereby offenders have entered via insecure windows. In both cases, the occupiers were in the house at the time, and discovered the burglaries when they woke up. Leaving windows and doors open means not only risking the distress of becoming a victim of crime, but it may also mean that insurance companies may not pay out if the properties are not properly secured. Anyone who would like further information on ways to secure their homes can contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Theft of Registration Plates - £150 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction
Police in Stamford are offering a £150 reward for information after an increase in the theft of number plates from cars. Normally, when plates are stolen they are used on cars involved in crimes at a later date, but these plates do not appear to be being used for criminal activity and officers believe they may be being collected - possibly by youngsters.

Theft of Vehicle - Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping - Inc 420 of 22 June
Police are appealing for information after scooter was stolen and then involved in a collision. The red SYM scooter, registration AJ58NKA, was stolen from Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping, between 11am and 7.20pm on June 22. An off duty police officer then spotted it colliding with a car in Godsey Lane, Market Deeping, at around 2.20pm. No one was hurt and the scooter left the scene without stopping. Police are appealing for witnesses to the theft and the collision.

Diesel Theft - Northgate, Pinchbeck - Inc 108 of 22 June
Police are appealing for information after diesel was stolen from agricultural vehicles in Pinchbeck. This incident took place sometime between 6pm on June 21 and 9.44am the following morning on land off Northgate, Pinchbeck. Thieves siphoned off about 250 litres of diesel from the tanks of farm excavators.

Stabbing - Spring Gardens/Bedford Place, Spalding - Incident 9 of 22 June
This incident came to police attention at about 00:30am on 22nd June when patrolling officers spoke to a 22-year-old local man on Spring Gardens, Spalding and found that he was bleeding from knife wounds. The man was subsequently treated at Pilgrim hospital, Boston for three knife wounds which are not believed to be life-threatening. We have not been able to speak to the man at length but it appears that he has been assaulted by up to three men, possibly in the Bedford Place area. Police have arrested and released on bail the 23-year-old local man pending further enquiries until August 20.

Volunteer Police Officers

Lincolnshire Police are looking for members of the public to become Volunteer Police Officers, or Special Constables, as they are commonly known. As a Special you only have to commit four hours a week and once trained you will have the same powers as a Regular Police Officer and wear a similar uniform.

Come along and find out more at Bourne Police Station on Thursday 8 July 2010 at 7 pm.
People are invited to come along to this event to meet with Special Constables, Regular Officers and members of the Recruitment Team to discuss the role of a Special and to find out more about the recruitment process.

More information about eligibility and the role of a Special Constable is available on our website – www.lincs.police.uk/join-us. Follow the link to Volunteer Police Officer.

Say NO to Violence and Abuse during the World Cup 2010

Lincolnshire Police blows the final whistle on domestic abuse during the World Cup 2010 tournament.

Lincolnshire Police is using this year’s World Cup football tournament to highlight the support available to domestic abuse survivors using the message “Say No to Violence and Abuse” under Operation NOVA. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is keen to raise public awareness ahead of the tournament and highlight that research shows cases of domestic abuse increase by nearly 30% on England match days. Based on research carried out during the 2006 World Cup, concerns have been raised about the potential for domestic abuse to increase.

Over the next few weeks during the World Cup, people can expect to see posters reaching out to victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. They will be displayed in a variety of public places as well as police station front desk areas. There are two messages - one urging victims to “Blow the Whistle on Domestic Abuse”, the other aimed at perpetrators of such offences, “Domestic abuse - have you the bottle to stop?”

In an emergency always call 999.
Lincolnshire Police’s non emergency number: 0300 111 0300
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Respect (Perpetrators): 0845 122 8609

Operation Fusion – Class A Drug Raid – Inc 470 of 18 June
Police raided a house in Sandringham Close, Stamford, at around 9.50pm on June 18, acting on police intelligence. They recovered a quantity of what are believed to be Class A and Class B drugs, along with drug dealing paraphernalia. A 24-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. He was questioned by officers and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until August 17.

Cannabis Cultivation Charge – Inc 178 of 18 June
Acting on police intelligence, officers raided a house in Burghley Court, Bourne, at around 11.30am on June 18. They searched the property and recovered nine cannabis plants. Edward Naylor (21), of Burghley Court, Bourne, was charged with cannabis cultivation and possession of a controlled drug. He was bailed to appear at Grantham Magistrates Court on June 19. Please call the court for result.

Burglary – Postland, Crowland – Inc 151 of 18 June
Police are appealing for information after a boiler was stolen from a house in Crowland.
Thieves kicked in the door of the house, which is under renovation, and stole the central heating boiler sometime between 5pm on June 17 and 10.47am on June 18. This is not the first time the property has been targeted and in the past attempts have been made to steal the radiators.

Burglary - The Meadows, Market Deeping – Inc 48 of 16 June
Police are appealing for information after a TV and a car were stolen from a house in Market Deeping. This incident took place overnight on June 16/17 in The Meadows, Market Deeping. Offenders got into the house through an unlocked back door and stole a TV and a set of car keys. They then stole a silver Renault Scenic car, which was parked on the drive. Sgt Martyn Parker said: “People do become complacent about locking doors and windows during the summer months and thieves do patrol residential areas looking for opportunities like this. We would urge people make sure their homes are secure when they go to bed at night. It only takes a matter of minutes for a thief to sneak into your house and steal thousands of pounds worth of goods. It is also a good idea to take your car keys to bed with you. Many people leave them on window sills or on a hook downstairs in full view of anyone entering the house – it just makes it easier for them.”

Op Fusion – Theft of Vehicle – Charge
Yesterday Sam Stimpson (18), a landscape gardener, of Broadway Crowland, was charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent from North Street, Crowland, overnight on June 14/15. He is appearing at Grantham Magistrates Court this morning. Please call the court later today for the result.

Burglary – Holbeach Road, Spalding – Inc 260 of 16 June
Police are appealing for information after alcohol was stolen from a house in Spalding.
Thieves broke into the house in Holbeach Road, Spalding at around 4pm on June 16 by kicking a door in. They stole several bottles of alcohol from a drinks cabinet.

Recovery of two Stolen Tractors - Jekils Bank, Holbeach St. Johns - Incident 337 of 11 June
At about 5.15pm on Friday 11 June Lincolnshire police Officers disturbed three men in the process of loading two John Deere tractors onto a lorry at premises in the vicinity of Fenland Airport, Holbeach St. Johns, Holbeach, nr. Spalding. One man was arrested immediately, and two ran off, but were arrested later, after a pursuit and a search by police officers and police dogs. The men were a 51- year- old man, a 33-year-old man and another man who refused to give any details. Enquiries revealed that the two tractors had been stolen from a machinery dealership in the Evesham area overnight between 9th-10th June. The arrested men were transferred to West Mercia Police, who are dealing with the original crime. Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to contact Spalding CID on 0300 111 0300 quoting incident number 337 of 11 June 2010.

Fatal RTC - A6121 Stamford Road at Toft, near Bourne - Inc 256 of 22 May - update
On Thursday 10 June, police investigating the fatal RTC which occurred at Toft near Bourne arrested the 17-year-old driver of the Ford Fiesta on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail. The 17-year-old driver of the VW Golf remains on bail. Police are continuing with their enquiries into the collision.

Fatal RTC - A6121 Stamford Road at Toft, near Bourne - Inc 256 of 22 May - previous releases
Police are now in a position to name the deceased. He is Terence Wheeler (68), of Playford Close, Rothwell, Kettering, Northants.
The 17-year-old local man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until July 14

Police Warn Against Telephone Selling of Homeopathic Medicines
Police are advising the public and in particular the vulnerable or elderly, about telephone calls which are being received from a private company asking if the patient was on medication. The caller stated that he was ‘undertaking a Government survey’ and said that ‘doctors prescribed too many medicines’, he also said that the ‘Government felt too much is spent on prescriptions’.
The caller said that the Government wanted to encourage the take up of homeopathic medicine, however he said that the patient should not discuss the call with their GP as GPs don’t approve of the use of homeopathic medicines.
He also said that a consultant would ring every 20 days to check how the patient was getting on with the homeopathic medicine. The cost of these medicines is approximately £30 a day.
Other similar calls offering homeopathic medicines for sale have been received by elderly residents in Lincolnshire and people should ensure their friends and relatives are aware of this.
Detective Sergeant Ian Jarman, Head of Lincolnshire Police Economic Crime Unit states that “people should be aware of these callers, as the Government is not undertaking any survey and patients should not alter any of their medications without consultation with their GP. Clearly if people wish to use complementary medicines, this should be based on individual choice and not pressurised by telephone sales.”

Parents are reminded that if their child’s date of birth falls between 1 September 2005 and 31 December 2005 the child must start school on 5 January 2011.

This is when children in this age group will be of statutory school age.

Peter Duxbury, Director of Children’s Services, advised: “The deadline for applications was 18 December 2009, so if parents have a child in that age group they should now contact the Education Team by ringing 01522 782030 to apply for a place. Parents may find that their preferred school is full but there will be school places for all children even if not at the school parents had in mind.”

All Lincolnshire infant and primary schools will admit children in this age group from 6 September 2010. Some parents may consider deferring the school start date until their child is of statutory school age which means that a child must start school the term after their fifth birthday. In this case parents should still apply for a school place. Once a place has been arranged parents need to talk to the head teacher of the school chosen to discuss a start date.

To help parents decide and apply for school places, including how to defer admission, a free book about education in Lincolnshire, called “Going to School in Lincolnshire 2010-2011” is available from schools or by ringing 01522 782030. In addition, all schools also publish a school brochure which contains detailed information about the school. These can be obtained without charge from the schools concerned.

Parents can visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions or they can e-mail schooladmissions@lincolnshire.gov.uk for further advice and information.

Free transport is provided to the school designated by the county council to serve a particular area or to a suitable alternative school which is nearer to the child’s home provided that in both instances the distance between home and school is more than two miles.

Some special transport arrangements may be available for pupils whose parents have strong religious reasons for wishing their child to go to a Church Aided School.

These arrangements apply to Lincolnshire schools only. Parents in North and North East Lincolnshire should contact their respective local authorities direct.

Financial Confiscation Order for Spalding Man
On Monday 7 June at Lincoln Crown Court, a Spalding man, Mark Drury was ordered to pay a further £47,000 following his conviction in June 2005 for a number of fraud and money laundering offences. At a confiscation hearing in November 2005, it was established that his financial benefit from the crimes was £59,775. However at the time he only had £10,100 available to make restitution, which he paid. Recently enquiries were undertaken by the Police into the outstanding balance from the initial hearing, to which further available money was identified. This led to the revisited confiscation order being granted this week. Part of the money recovered from criminals is used to benefit the community though ‘Community Cashback’ projects.

Assault - Kings Street, Sutton Bridge - Incident 276 of 6 June
Police were called to a house at Sutton Bridge just before 1600 on Sunday 6th June where a 4 x 4 vehicle had collided with the front of a house and then drove off. A 21 yr old local man who was not in the car was assaulted by up to 3 men who were in the car. He has been taken to Kings Lynn Hospital for treatment to a head injury. A 30-year-old man from Gosberton has been arrested in connection with this incident has been released on police bail to return to the Spalding Police Station at a later date. Two other persons have also been arrested, a 20-year-old man from Sutton St James and a 15-year-old youth from Long Sutton. They too have been interviewed and released on police bail to return to the same police station. Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Gareth Wigham of Spalding CID via 0300 111 0300.

Burglary - Fen Road, Holbeach, Spalding - Incident 129 of 6 June 2010
Police are appealing for information following a burglary which occurred at a property in Fen Lane, Holbeach, some time overnight between 5–6 June. Entry is believed to have been gained via a downstairs window and an untidy search was made. A laptop, along with other items, was taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 0300 111 0300 quoting incident 129 of 6 June 2010.

Volunteer Police Officers
Lincolnshire Police are looking for members of the public to become Volunteer Police Officers, or Special Constables, as they are commonly known. As a Special you only have to commit four hours a week and once trained you will have the same powers as a Regular Police Officer and wear a similar uniform.
We are currently in need of Special Constables throughout the county and because of this we are holding some open recruitment events for people to come along and find out more. Events are being held at the following locations:

Stamford Police Station - Saturday 12 June 2010 at 10 am
Spalding Police Station - Thursday 24 June 2010 at 7 pm
Bourne Police Station - Thursday 8 July 2010 at 7 pm

People are invited to come along to these events to meet with Special Constables, Regular Officers and members of the Recruitment Team to discuss the role of a Special and to find out more about the recruitment process.
More information about eligibility and the role of a Special Constable is available on our website – www.lincs.police.uk/join-us. Follow the link to Volunteer Police Officer.

Burglary – Redcot Gardens, Stamford – Inc 6 of 1 June
Police are appealing for information after three laptops were stolen from a house in Stamford.
This incident took place sometime over the weekend in Redcot Gardens, Stamford, while the occupants were away. Thieves smashed a door panel to get into the house and stole three laptops.

Burglary – Park Road, Spalding – Inc 211 of 31 May
Police are appealing for information after a laptop was stolen from a house in Park Road, Spalding.
Offenders smashed a window at the back of the house in Park Road, Spalding, to get in and stole a laptop.

Missing Person - Leon Slack - Incident 336 of 24 May 2010

Leon Slack has now been found. Officers would like to thank the press for their assistance.

LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE LOOK FORWARD TO A TROUBLE-FREE WORLD CUP 28 May 2010

Lincolnshire Police are sending out a message encouraging football fans to act responsibly, so that fans and all members of the community can have an enjoyable World Cup, free of anti-social behaviour.

Superintendent Keith Owen of the force’s Operations Support Department says, “We are not anticipating disturbances, and will be looking to take a low key approach to policing the World Cup. However, we will be constantly monitoring the situation and will deal robustly with anyone whose exuberance degenerates into drunken or anti-social behaviour”.

Superintendent Owen went on to reiterate that rumours that action will be taken against people hanging or flying St George, Union or any other country's flags, or wearing football shirts in the run-up and duration of the World Cup are completely untrue. He says, “Lincolnshire is a diverse county of races and nationalities, and we would not stop any fan from wearing their country's colours or displaying their nation's flag if they so wish to do so. This is all part of the World Cup, and what makes it such a well-loved and nationally supported event".

Whilst Lincolnshire Police are not expecting trouble from the county’s football fans, they will clamp down on anyone whose behaviour is anti-social, threatening or causes distress or alarm to others. “No-one should have to put up with people who behave in an intimidating way”, says Superintendent Owen. “If people break the law and we believe their offending behaviour to be football-related, we will work closely with the CPS in order to pursue Football Banning Orders through the courts”.

Football Banning Orders can last for three years and will mean that fans are banned from matches both in this country and abroad, as well as being subject to exclusion zones in certain city centre areas during specific periods.

Superintendent Owen finished by saying, “"The World Cup is a time for celebration and our aim is to make this a safe and trouble-free tournament for the thousands of fans across Lincolnshire, and to ensure that members of the local community who have no interest in football are not troubled or inconvenienced by it. We ask for the help of the community to bring to our attention any trouble makers so we can act quickly to ensure that their behaviour does not affect others. Fans who act responsibly and with consideration for others will find the tournament much more sociable and enjoyable.”

Vulnerable High Risk Missing Person – Elizabeth Sylvester
Police are extremely concerned for the safety of Elizabeth Sylvester (53) of Gosberton, Lincolnshire.
Ms Sylvester went missing from her home in the middle of the night on Fri May 21/Sat May 22.
Police believe she is in the Kings Cross area of London, is in a fragile state of mind and may be with someone who is a threat to her.
Anyone who sees Ms Sylvester is asked to call the police immediately, but not to approach her if she is not alone.
Ms Sylvester is described as 5ft 2in tall, thin, with shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes. She may be wearing a jumper, pinstripe waistcoat, light corduroy trousers and black shoes.

Op Fusion - Pub Burglary Arrests – The Bell Inn, Church Street, Pinchbeck – Inc 6 of May 25
Police were called to the Bell Inn in Church Street, Pinchbeck, at around 12.20am on May 25 after reports that the pub was being burgled.
Officers attended the scene and arrested a 22-year-old local man and a 38-year-old local man. They are currently helping police with their enquiries at Spalding Police Station.

Burglary – Spalding Road, Holbeach – Inc 45 of May 24
Police are appealing for information after a TV was stolen from a house in Holbeach.
Thieves got into the house in Spalding Road, Holbeach, between 11pm on May 24 and 8am the following morning, through an unlocked front door. They stole a TV.
Police are urging residents to lock all ground-floor windows and doors at night.

Fatal RTC - A6121 Stamford Road at Toft, near Bourne - Inc 256 of 22 May
A 17-year-old local man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until 14 July.
Police are now in a position to name the deceased. He is Terence Wheeler (68), of Playford Close, Rothwell, Kettering, Northants.
Police were called to the A6121 Stamford Road at Toft at 2.24pm on 22 May after reports of a collision. A black Ford Fiesta, a green Volkswagen Golf and a blue Hyundai had collided. The driver of the Hyundai, a 68-year-old Kettering man was taken to Peterborough District Hospital, where he died a short time later. A 14-year-old girl passenger from the Hyundai was airlifted to the QMC in Nottingham with serious injuries. She is now in a stable condition. Another 62-year-old woman passenger of the Hyundai was taken to Peterborough District Hospital with serious injuries. She is also now in a stable condition. The 17-year-old driver of the black Ford Fiesta, who was from the Thurlby area, was taken to Peterborough District Hospital and treated for serious, but not life threatening injuries. He is also stable. The 17-year-old local man driving the Volkswagen was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Police are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch with them as soon as possible - contact the witness hotline on 01522 558855 or 0300 111 0300. This brings to 12 the number of people killed on Lincolnshire's roads so far this year compared with 17 at the same time last year and a full year total in 2009 of 52.

Fatal RTC - A17 Washway Road, Fleet, near Holbeach - Inc 378 of 22 May
Police are now in a position to name the deceased. He is Lewis Warner (17), of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge.
Police were called to the A17 Washway Road at Fleet at 6.28pm on 22 May after reports of a collision. A silver Citroen had left the road and collided with a tree. A 17-year-old Sutton Bridge man was taken to Boston Pilgrim Hospital, where he died a short time later. The deceased is not likely to be named until Monday. This brings to 13 the number of people killed on Lincolnshire's roads so far this year compared with 17 at the same time last year and a full year total in 2009 of 52. Anyone who was in the area around 6.15 - 6.30pm on Saturday and saw the silver Citroen before the collision or saw the collision itself is asked to contact the witness hotline on 01522 558855 or 0300 111 0300.

Burglary – Winsover Road, Spalding – Inc 167/2105
Police are appealing for information after a laptop was stolen from a house in Spalding.
This incident took place sometime between 8.45am and 11.15am on 21 May in Winsover Road, Spalding. Thieves broke a window at the back of the house to get in and stole a laptop.

Burglary – Reynolds Gardens, Moulton – Inc 108/2205
Police are appealing for information after a laptop was stolen from a house in Moulton.
Thieves got into the house in Reynolds Gardens, Moulton, between 10pm on 21 May and 7.40am on May 22 through an unlocked back door and stole a laptop and a wallet.

Burglary – Park Road, Holbeach – Inc 388 of 20 May
Police are appealing for information after cash was stolen from a house in Holbeach. This incident took place 6.20pm in Park Road, Holbeach, on May 20. Two men saying they were from the water board knocked on the door. One entered the house saying he needed to turn the water off. The only description available is that both men had short cropped hair.

Sentencing of Philip Staff (55), of Frostley Gate, Holbeach, accused of murdering Colin Fish (86) of Weston Hills, Holbeach.
Staff entered a plea of not guilty to murder on February 5. The CPS accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Lincoln Crown Court today. Judge Heath Jailed Staff to four years. He said: “This is one of the most unusual and saddest cases that we’ve had do deal with in the more than 20 years I have sat in the crown court.” The court heard Mr Fish had moved to the Holbeach area after his wife died in 2008. He initially lived at a caravan park at Holbeach Fen. It was here that he met Staff, a father of three, who had moved there after being made redundant and the breakdown of his marriage. Staff has a history of depression and was first prescribed antidepressants at in 1986 at the age of 31. In 1998 he was assessed by a psychiatrist who reported that he had feelings of inadequacy and difficulties coping with even slight changes in his life. The court heard that Staff and Mr Fish, who has suffering from “extreme grief” developed a close relationship during the summer of 2009 at the caravan park. This relationship continued when Mr Fish moving a bungalow in Broadgate, Weston Hills, in August last year. Judge Heath said: “This relationship between two men on their own rose. There was no sinister or mercenary motive on the part of Staff. Police Sgt Duncan Ashwell had met both men and described Mr Staff as a ‘real decent, genuine fella’ The court had that although Mr Fish was publicly jovial, but privately extremely emotional and devastated by the loss of his wife. Although he had expressed wishes to “join his wife” he was not considered to be a suicide risk. Staff was in daily contact with Mr Fish an often stayed at his house. The court heard that according to Staff’s account given in interview, on the night in question Mr Fish had been “upset and tearful” for a number of hours, leading Staff to become increasingly frustrated and angry. Staff challenged Mr Fish hoping to bring him out of his mood. Staff eventually went to bed, only to get up during the night to find Mr Fish still tearful and sitting with a tie on his lap. The court heard how Mr Fish said, “you have to pull it tight and that would be it.” Staff then strangled Mr Fish with the tie. Judge Heath said: “Two psychiatrists have examined you and they both agree you were suffering from a moderately severe depressive episode. This abnormality of the mind substantially reduced your responsibility for your actions. You took acre of Mr Fish because you genuinely wanted to help him and to give yourself a purpose in life, but you were psychologically unsuited to this role. “The stress of the situation fed your own depression . You were like a pressure cooker. You bottled up your emotions leading to an explosion of rage and frustration. You were unable to exercise control over your actions. “According to your psychological reports there is very remote if any risk of you doing this again.” Speaking after the case DCI David Wood said: “This was an extremely tragic set of circumstances and this process has been very difficult for the families of those involved. We hope the conclusion of these proceedings enables them to move on with their lives.”

Theft of Tractors - Sharmans Agricultural Machinery Dealers, Gonerby Moor, Grantham - Incident 112 of 14 May
This offence was committed overnight 13th - 14th May 2010. Two John Deere 7930 agricultural tractors were stolen from Sharmans compound. One is registered under FX09KKS whilst the other is brand new and unregistered. Another similar tractor was driven into a lagoon at the premises and the damage to that tractor is still being assessed. The tractors are in the usual green John Deere livery. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Grantham CID via 0300 111 0300.

Tractor theft arrests
Working with Essex Police, Norfolk Police and the National Plant Unit, officers located the £75,000 tractor stolen from Tydd (see incident below) in the back of an artic lorry parked in a truck stop in the Essex area yesterday. The lorry also contained another tractor which had been stolen in the Norfolk area on the same night. A 38-year-old Hartford man was arrested and brought back to Lincolnshire for questioning. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until 27 May. Investigations also lead to the arrest of a man on a farm off Chequers Lane, Kings Lynne, also on suspicion of theft of vehicles. Although linked, Norfolk Police are dealing with this prisoner and will have custody details.

Lincolnshire officers are still encouraging farmers to be vigilant and the public to report suspicious activity. A spokesman said: “We want to thank the public for their fantastic response. We have been receiving calls every day reporting the registration numbers of tractors on the roads so we can check them out. It’s exactly what we asked for and it is starting to bring results.

“We are stopping and checking every tractor we see on the roads and even though we know some farmers have been stopped more than once in a day, they still seem to be supporting our action - we’d like to thank them for their patience and support too.

“The possibility of further thefts has not disappeared, despite recent developments, and we are still asking farmers to consider their security and to think about investing in this area. It is clear that if we all work together we can tackle this issue.”

Further Tractor Theft
Thieves stole a yellow and green John Deere tractor from a compound at a pumping station off Station Road, Tydd, overnight on 25/26 April. The tractor was recovered in the Kent area earlier this morning and enquiries are ongoing in that area. Police are repeating the warnings/appeals below.

Burglary – May Blossom Walk, Spalding – Inc 65 of 23 April
Police are appealing for information after a wallet was stolen from a house in Spalding.
This incident took place overnight on April 22/23 in May Blossom Walk, Spalding. A thief got into the house through an unlocked back door and stole a purse, a wallet and a blood testing kit.

Burglary – Winsover Road, Spalding – Inc 80 of 24 April
Police are appealing for information after cash and mobile phones were stolen from a house in Spalding.
Thieves got into the house in Winsover Road, Spalding, through an unlocked front door between 3am and 3.30am April 24. Cash, a Nintendo DS and five mobile phones were stolen.

Theft of Lawnmower – Wignals Gate, Spalding
Police are appealing for information after a lawn mower was stolen in Spalding.
Thieves stole a green lawn mower worth about £300 between 10.30am and 12 noon on 21 April from a back garden in Wignals Gate, Spalding.

Warning to Farmers - Tractor thefts continue
Police are continuing to warn farmers about organised gangs stealing tractors after two more thefts. Last night a green John Deere tractor with a blue leak drill was stolen from a farm off East Bank, Sutton Bridge and a Green and yellow John Deere tractor was stolen from Manor Hill Farm, Sutton St James.
Police are patrolling rural areas and stopping and checking all tractors and they are appealing to the public to ring in the details of any tractors on the roads in the evening.
Please see previous release below and make reference to a number of similar thefts on East Division. Contact Nerys McGarry for details: 07789 920683.

CCTV images of Robbery Suspect Released – Pics are available on request
At around 6.15pm on Tuesday 9 March a taxi driver picked up two men from High Road, Whaplode, near the Jet Petrol Station, and drove them to Holbeach. The men asked to be dropped off along Park Lane, Holbeach. The taxi driver stopped in Park Lane, just before the Hollies, Holbeach. The two males then assaulted the taxi driver. One held him around the neck while the other repeatedly punched him in the face, giving him a black eye and a nose bleed. They stole £70 from him, before getting out of the taxi and running anyway. One of the men went into the Co-Op in Whaplode before they got into the taxi and officers are appealing to the public to identify him from the CCTV images.
DC Claire Sloan said: “This was a particularly nasty robbery. Thankfully the victim was not badly injured, but he was left very shaken by the incident. Someone in the area will know who the man in these pictures is. This criminal does not deserve any loyalty, please call us and give us the name we need.”
Anyone with any information can call DC Claire Sloan on 0300 111 0300 ext 2642

Burglary - Spalding Road, Holbeach – Inc 322 on 18 April
Police are appealing for information after laptops were stolen from a house in Holbeach.
Thieves broke into the house in Spalding Road, Holbeach, overnight on 17/18 April through a window and stole a mobile phone and two laptops.

Warning to Farmers - Theft of tractors
Police are warning farmers to be vigilant after a number of thefts of tractors in the south of the county. And they are appealing for the public to ring in any suspicious activity like tractors being on the roads in the evening.

Three tractors have been stolen in the South Holland area recently. A JCB Fast Trac, registration AE08LMF, worth about £90,000 was taken from a farm in Crowland between Friday April 9 and Monday April 12. It also had a fertiliser spreader worth about £15,000 with it. A John Deere tractor, registration FX08LJC, worth about £65,000 was taken from a farm at Shepeau Stow, Whaplode Drove, overnight on March 25/26. And another John Deer tractor, registration FX06 EZW, was taken from a farm off Bidder Road, Donington, overnight on March 21/22.

Head of Spalding Vehicle Crime Unit Dave Sargent said: “This is a real emerging trend and we need farmers and the public to be vigilant to prevent more thefts and to help us catch these criminals. If anyone sees tractors on the road in the evenings, possibly in convoy with another vehicle, then please call the police with the registration details. It doesn’t matter if it hasn’t been stolen, you won’t be wasting our time, we’d rather check and if we start getting calls like this we have a much better chance of getting out there and making an arrest. These types of crimes are a huge blow to farmers and the local rural economy as a whole and we need to work together to tackle the problem.”

Burglary – Bramley Road, Market Deeping – Inc 39 of 14 April
Police are appealing for information after a TV was stolen from a house in Market Deeping.
Thieves got into the house in Bramley Road, Market Deeping, through patio doors overnight on April 13/14 and stole a TV and two mobile phones.

Criminal Damage – Crowson Way, Deeping St James – Inc 169 of 11 April
Police are appealing for information after cars were vandalised in Deeping St James.
This incident took place between 6.30pm and 11pm on April 10 in Crowson Way, Deeping St James.
Offenders scratched a blue Vauxhall Corsa, a silver Vauxhall Astra and a Blue Ford Fiesta with keys.

GBH Arrest – Severn Road, Spalding
Police were called to an address in Severn Road, Spalding, at around 2.06pm yesterday after reports that a 38-year-old local man had been stabbed. Police attended the scene and a short time later a 31-year-old local woman was arrested. The victim was taken to Boston Pilgrim hospital and treated for a minor stab wound. He has now been discharged. The offender has been questioned by police and released on conditional bail until 6 May.

Burglaries – Stone Gate (Inc 96 of April 10) and High Road (Inc 58 of 10 April) in Weston
Police are appealing for information after two burglaries in Weston. Both occurred overnight on April 9/10. Thieves broke into a house in Stone Gate through the front door and stole a TV, a DVD player and a Wii console. Thieves also broke into a property in High Road and stole the keys to a silver Mercedes panel van. They took the van, which was later found burnt out in Crowland. Police are looking into the possibility that the two incidents are linked and are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward and help them with their enquiries.

For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300

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Friday 9 April 2010

LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE OFFER FREE SKIDPAN TRAINING TO NEW AND YOUNG DRIVERS

Lincolnshire Police are recommencing their popular programme of skidpan training for the county’s new and young drivers. This is aimed at instilling good road practice into drivers who are 25 years old and under, or who have passed their driving test in the last 12 months, to enable them to be as safe as possible on the roads.

Lincolnshire Police’s Driver Training Manager, Clive Pouncey said, “Statistically, young drivers have a high likelihood of being involved in road traffic collisions. This programme gives young drivers the chance to improve their skills and build up their driving experience, particularly in adverse conditions. This is done in a safe environment with individual tuition from advanced police driving instructors, in police cars. We hope that young people will take us up on our offer, which is completely free of charge. The sessions will be enjoyable and fun, as well as teaching skills which may well save lives.”

The sessions will be held at the skidpan at Lincolnshire Police Headquarters in Nettleham, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer. They will commence on Tuesday 20th April. Anyone who would like to book a session should contact Lincolnshire Police on 01522 558936. To be eligible, people must be 25 years old or under, or have passed their test in the last 12 months, and reside in the Lincolnshire Police area. Appointments will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Theft of Canaries - Little Common Lane, Holbeach Clough, Holbeach - Incident 211 of 7 April
This offence is believed to have been committed overnight 6/7 April from an aviary in the garden at the above location. Twenty birds were stolen. Any information as to the current whereabouts of the birds should be passed to Holbeach or Spalding police via 0300 111 0300.

Theft of Vehicle – Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge – Inc 44 of 1 April
Police are appealing for information after a moped was stolen in Sutton Bridge.
Thieves stole the red Leike moped, registration AJ58TZL, from a back garden in Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, sometime between 11pm on March 31 and 6.45am on 1 April.

LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE APPEAL - MISSING PERSON - Leah Lloyd

Police in Lincolnshire are appealing for information about Leah Lloyd, who has been missing since Tuesday 23 March 2010.

Leah left Healthlinc House in Welton, Lincolnshire on 23 March and bought a train ticket on the same day. It is believed that she travelled to Hull and at about 7pm used an ATM machine near the Odeon Cinema in Hull. She is 20 years old and 5’6” and stocky build. She has shoulder length black hair with a blonde streak at the front. When she left she was wearing dark blue jeans, a grey and orange hooded top, a black coat and black trainers with a pink trim.

Leah has a number of health issues and police are concerned for her welfare and believe that she may not be taking her medication.

Information indicates that she could be in the Eastfield area, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Anyone who has seen Leah, or who has information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 0300 111 0300 quoting incident number 243 of 23 March 2010. Please also quote the Personal ID (PID) reference number 1716.

Burglary – Carrington Road, Spalding – Inc 526 of March 27
Police are appealing for information after a car was stolen in a burglary in Spalding.
Offenders broke into the house in Carrington Road, Spalding, through the back door and stole a set of car keys. They then took a black VW Golf GTI, registration Y806PDN, from outside.

Theft of Vehicle – Dowsdale Bank, Shepeau Stow – Inc 329 of March 26
Police are appealing for information after a tractor was stolen in Shepeau Stow.
The John Deer tractor was taken from a locked shed in a yard off Dowsdale Bank, Shepeau Stow, overnight on March 25/26.

Theft from Vehicle – Bridge Road, Long Sutton – Inc 276 of March 28
Police are appealing for information after diesel was stolen from lorries in Long Sutton.
This incident took place sometime between 4.30pm on March 26 and 5pm on March 28 at a commercial yard in Bridge Road, Long Sutton. Thieves broke into the petrol tanks of two lorries and siphoned off diesel.

Rogue Trader Arrests – Hereward Way, Deeping St James – Inc 239 of March 19
Police were called to Deeping St James at around 1.25pm today after reports that two men were approaching elderly residents offering quotes for roofing work and insisting on blank cheques as payment.
Officers attended the scene, searched the area and arrested a 33-year-old man and a 21-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation a short time later. They have been taken to Spalding Police Station for questioning.

Court Notice – Update
Matthew Barry Parr and Adam Leonard Woolf appeared at Grantham Magistrates Court this morning. Both were remanded in custody and will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on March 26
Matthew Barry Parr (38), from Harlow in Essex and Adam Leonard Woolf (27), from Bishop Stortford in Hertfordshire have both been charged Kidnap, assault and possession of a firearm in relation to an incident in the Spalding Sector Area on June 24 last year. They have been remanded in custody and will appear at Grantham Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (FIRST APPEARANCE).

Burglary - Roman Bank, Spalding – Inc 207 of March 18
Police are appealing for information after electrical goods were stolen from a house in Spalding.
Thieves broke into a house in Roman Bank, Spalding, overnight on March 16/17 by kicking the back door down. Once inside they stole a Sanyo TV, A Wii, a Wii Fit board, a DVD layer and a number of DVDs.

Burglary – Broadgate, Gedney – Inc 79 of March 18
Police are appealing for information after china was stolen from a house in Gedney
Thieves broke into a house in Broadgate, Gedney, between 7pm on March 17 and 8.30am the following morning through a window at the front and stole china, pictures and crockery.

Theft of Vehicle – North Road, Gedney Hill – Inc 34 of March 15
Police are appealing for information after a car was stolen in Gedney Hill.
Thieves broke into a black Nissan Navara in North Road, Gedney Hill, overnight on March 14/15 and stole it.

Theft from Vehicle – Cross Road, Sutton St Edmund – Inc 257 of March 13
Police are appealing for information after a stereo was stolen from a car in Sutton St Edmund.
Thieves got into an unlocked blue Peugeot Vivant in Cross Road, Sutton St Edmund, between 1pm and 3.10pm on March 13 and stole the CD player and a number of CDs.

Theft from Vehicle – Cross Road, Sutton St Edmund – Inc 94 of March 14
Police are appealing for information after a school bag was stolen from a car in Sutton St Edmund.
Thieves broke into a blue Vauxhall Astra overnight on March 13/14 in Cross Road, Sutton St Edmund, and stole a school bag, keys and a rent book.

Theft from Vehicle – Quadring Road, Donington
Police are appealing for information after a DVD player was stolen from a car in Donington.
Thieves broke into a black Vauxhall Astra in Quadring Road, Donington, between 12.30am and 6.30am on March 13 and stole a portable DVD player.

For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300

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Op Fusion Activity – Burglary Arrest
Police arrested a 33-year-old local man in Gosberton on March 5 in relation to a burglary in Albion Street, Spalding, on February 26. He has been questioned and released on bail pending further enquiries until April 6.

Garage Burglary – Aalsmeer Rise, Spalding
Police are appealing for information after alcohol and bikes were stolen from a garage in Spalding.
Thieves broke into the garage between 5.30pm on March 3 and 8am on March 5 and stole £350 worth of wine, £50 worth of lager, a child’s Raleigh bike, and child’s Apollo mountain bike an adult Giant mountain bike.

Burglary – Pipwell Gate, Moulton Seas End
Police are appealing for information after a computer; jewellery and clothing were stolen from a house in Moulton Seas End.
This incident took place sometime between 8pm on March 5 and 3am the following morning in Pipwell Gate, Moulton Seas End. Offenders broke in through the back door using a spade and stole an HP laptop, jewellery, including a pocket watch and a wedding ring, shirts, trainers and a rucksack.

Op Fusion Activity - Burglary Arrest/Charge
Police were called to an address Wignall’s Gate, Holbeach, yesterday afternoon after reports of a burglary in progress. Officers attended the scene and arrested unemployed 32-year-old Jamie Moore, of High Road, Whaplode. An LCD TV, a DVD player and a Nintendo Wii had been stolen from the address in question. Moore was questioned and charged with burglary. He was remanded in custody to appear at Grantham Magistrates Court this morning (please call the court for the outcome).

Attempt Robbery – Gallery Walk, Pinchbeck
Police are appealing for information after a man tried to rob a 90-year-old woman.
This incident took place at around 11am on February 27 in Gallery Walk, which is a narrow alleyway off Knight Street in Pinchbeck.

The woman was approached by a man, or teenage boy (not really clear how old) on a bike. He tried to snatch her canvass shopping bag from her. The woman refused to let go and a tussle led to her being pushed into a hedgerow at the side of the lane. The offender then left the scene empty handed. The victim was extremely shaken, but not hurt.

Lincolnshire Police spokesman James Newall said: “This was a particularly nasty incident against an elderly member of our community. The woman was extremely brave in her actions, but has been left very shaken by the ordeal. We are appealing for anyone who saw a man, or teenager on a bike in the area at that time to get in touch and help them with their enquiries.”

Burglary - Piccard Drive, Spalding
Police are appealing for information after a car was stolen in a burglary in Spalding.
This incident took place between 2am and 8am on February 24 in Piccard Drive, Spalding. It is believed offenders used an implement to reach through a cat flap and take the keys out of the door on the inside to get in. Once inside they stole car keys to a red BMW 316, which was parked on the drive.

For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300

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RTC - Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge/Death in Custody at Spalding
Police were called to Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, at around 11.40pm on February 24 after reports of a single vehicle collision involving a VW Sharran. Police attended and arrested the 69-year-old driver on suspicion of drink driving. He was taken to Spalding Custody, but died a short time later. The IPCC has been informed and they are currently conducting an initial assessment into the circumstances surrounding the death of the driver - Lincolnshire Police are conducting an investigation into the RTC and the death of the driver.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the accident to come forward with any information they may have.

Burglary Warning/Appeal for Information – All Spalding residents
Police are warning residents in the Spalding area after an ongoing spate of jewellery thefts from houses.

There have been about nine of these burglaries in than last month and police believe they are all being committed by the same offender(s)

All have occurred between 9am and 2pm on days towards the end of the week like Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The criminal(s) tend to get into the houses by climbing through an unlocked window, or smashing it and then going in.

The upstairs rooms are then searched and jewellery is stolen. They are all “pocketable” items that can be slipped in and are not too heavy.

The occupants have always been out when these offences have been committed, although sometimes for very short periods of time like half-an-hour – suggesting that the criminal is watching the property.

South Holland NPT Area Inspector Paul Timmins said: “We have launched an operation involving overt and covert tactics, which we are confident will lead to arrests, but in the meantime we need residents to consider their security and be extremely vigilant. Leave a radio, TV or lights on when you leave the house – a little bit of noise is often enough to spook them. And when you do leave your house look around for people in the street or sitting in cars – could they be watching you? If you think they are then call us immediately. Don’t worry about being paranoid or wasting out time, we need these calls if we’re going to sort this problem out. If we work together we can beat them.”

Houses in the Wygate Park and West Elloe Avenue areas have been most affected, but residents in all areas of the town are being warned to be on the lookout.

Despite the current problems, burglary is still down 0.5 per cent compared to this time last year in the Spalding Area.

Warning to users of Castle Leisure Centre, Albion Street, Spalding – Thieves Operating – Inc 425 of February 23
Police are warning users of a Spalding leisure centre to be vigilant after car keys were stolen from a changing room and a vehicle was taken from the car park.

This incident took place at round 8.10pm at Castle Leisure Centre in Albion Street, Spalding, on February 23.

The victim left his car keys in a jacket which was hanging up in the changing rooms next to the gym. An offender stole the keys, went into the car park and then stole a red Mini Cooper, registration AP04KWZ. It is possible the victim had been followed from the car park and watched in the changing rooms by the offender.

Police are asking leisure centre users to use a secure locker at the very least and to be vigilant in the car park when they arrive.

Pub Burglaries - Spalding area - 8 February 2010
Police in Spalding are appealing for help from the public after a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries in and around the area during the early hours of this morning (Monday 8th February). The incidents started just before 0310 when The Plough Inn at Holbeach St John's was entered and £10 stolen from the till (Incident 21 of 8 February); then at 0314 a member of the public alerted police after he saw three men with a torch around his house in Weston Hills - they made off in a dark car with a loud exhaust (Incident 22 of 8 February); then at 0325 two men were disturbed on the roof of the Bell Inn public house at Weston Hills and made off without gaining entry (Incident 24 of 8 February); then at 0335 a man was disturbed on the flat roof of the Royal Mail Cart public house, Pinchbeck Road, Spalding - he made off without gaining entry (Incident 26 of 8 February); finally about 0410, three men wearing masks broke into the Duke of York pub in Gosberton. They attacked the gaming machines and stole cigarettes, money and jewellery. They also threatened the occupiers of the pub, a man and a woman. They were shocked but not physically injured and the 3 men made off; the value of the property is not yet known (Incident 28 of 8 February).

Spalding Detective Sergeant Steve Knubley says he believes the five incidents are connected and is appealing for anyone who was out and about around the relevant times and saw anything suspicious to call in confidence on 01522 532222 and give their information or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"I am also in touch with officers in Cambridgeshire where two incidents on their area may also be connected," he said. "The couple who were threatened in the Duke of York in Gosberton were obviously very frightened when the three men threatened them but thankfully they were not physically assaulted. It is also possible that whoever carried out these burglaries and attempted burglaries are travelling criminals and came from outside the County. Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence and I urge anyone with any information to get in touch."

Attempt Burglary – Cowbit Road, Spalding – Inc 279 of February 2
Police are appealing for information after a man tried to break into a house in Spalding.
This incident took place at about 4.15pm in Cowbit Road, Spalding, on February 10.

A thief climbed over a wall at the back of a house using a plank of wood as a ramp. He then climbed onto a sloping roof and smashed a window. But while the offender was trying to climb through the window, the resident, who had heard the glass break, beat him back with a broom. The offender ran off.

Police are keen to trace the suspect, who is described as between 25 and 30-years-old with light brown hair and blue eyes. He was clean shaven and had prominent cheek bones. He was wearing a black zip-up top.

Update 14 - New CCTV Image and Reward Upped to £20,000 - Alan Wood - Murder Investigation: Lound, near Bourne - Inc 197 of November 4

Officers nearing the end of their review of thousands of hours of CCTV footage have found another image of the suspect in Bourne. This is a head-on shot. Some of the suspect’s face is covered by a scarf, but it is by far the best picture so far. It was not used on Crime Watch. Crime Stoppers has also matched Sainsbury’s reward - giving a total of £20,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Det Supt Stuart Morrison was available for pre-record interviews at 1pm at Sleaford Police Station on Wednesday. He also set aside time for phone interviews.

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For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300

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Operation Fusion - Burglary Warning To Residents in Spalding and Holbeach Areas

There have been a number of burglaries in the Spalding and Holbeach areas over the weekend and police are advising residents to make sure their homes are locked up and look occupied.

South Holland NPT Area Inspector Paul Timmins said: “As part of Operation Fusion, we are dedicating a significant amount of resources to nipping this series of burglaries in the bud. Operationally, overt and covert tactics are being used. A number of potential targets have been identified and it’s only a matter of time before arrests are made. From a reassurance and crime prevention perspective, beat teams are out on the streets, visiting victims and their neighbours to make sure they feel safe and have the advice they need. They will be joined by the Neighbourhood Action Team, which has been deployed to the area to boost police numbers.

“We need two things from the public. Firstly we want reports of all suspicious people and vehicles near your homes. Secondly, we want people to really focus on their security. Make sure doors and windows are locked, even when you’re in. And leave lights and radios on to make your house look occupied. If you have environmental concerns then buy low-energy light bulbs and timer devices for your switches – they’re very cheap these days. For any advice please contact your beat teams.”

Details of burglaries: Langwith Gardens, Holbeach, between January 27 and January 29. Offenders forced open UPVC window and searched through the whole house. It is not yet clear what has been taken. Wygate Meadows, Spalding, between 11.30am on January 30 and 1.20am on January 31. Thieves broke in through a window and stole two Canon cameras and a laptop (£1,000 worth in total). Park Close, Spalding, between 1.30pm and 11.22pm on January 30. Keys were stolen and £100 worth of damage was caused to the window. Also in Park Close, Spalding, between 6.30pm and 10.30pm. Thieves broke in through kitchen window and stole a watch, four mobile phones, a Dell laptop and around £500 cash. Glenside North, Pinchbeck, between 11pm on January 30 and 12noon on January 31. Thieves have broken into the garage and stolen two petrol hedge cutters. Fairfields, Holbeach, between 10am on January 27 and 9.30am on January 30. Thieves broke in through a window and stole passports and jewellery worth more than £500.

South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Area

Lincolnshire Police, South Division is currently looking at neighbourhood policing. As part of this review we have made changes to some of the names we use. To help you understand, I have included a list of key changes for your information.

§ Sectors will become Neighbourhood Policing Areas, eg South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Area, Grantham Neighbourhood Policing Area, Stamford Neighbourhood Policing Area
§ Sector Inspectors will become Neighbourhood Policing Area Inspectors, eg South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Area Inspector, etc.

Other terms that the police commonly use and you may hear in conversation are:

§       Response and patrol units, which will become Neighbourhood Response Teams
§       Response and patrol inspectors, who will become Neighbourhood Response Inspectors
§       Response and patrol officers, who will become Neighbourhood Response Officers

To maintain a clear neighbourhood focus in the way we carry out our policing, Neighbourhood Policing Area Inspectors will take the lead for the policing priorities and the alignment of resources in their areas. As part of this, we are committed to maintaining clearly established neighbourhood policing priorities for every Neighbourhood Policing Area and ensuring these are updated on a regular basis.

Caravan thefts – Mill Drove, Bourne (Inc 328 of Jan 28) and West Road Pointon (Inc 36 of Jan 29)
Police are warning caravan owners to review their security as thieves are targeting the vehicles.
Thieves tried to steal a caravan in Mill Drove, Bourne, between 8am and 7.55pm, on January 28.

They forced a lock off the vehicle, but were prevented from stealing it due to a large wheel clamp that had been fitted by the owner. Officers are advising other owners to take similar action.

A caravan was stolen in West Road, Pointon, between 10pm on January 28 and 5.55pm the following day.

Officers are also suggesting that owners take advantage of firms offering long-term storage services in secure compounds

Robbery – Inc 275 of 22 January 2010
Police in Spalding are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in Sheep Market, Spalding on Friday between about 4.30pm and just after 5pm. About 5pm a man went into the Society, with what appeared to be a gun concealed in a bag and demanded money.

A substantial amount of cash was handed over and the man made off on foot towards the town centre. He is described as between 5’5” and 5’8” tall, proportionate build and a dark complexion. He was wearing a grey or green coat with epaulettes on the shoulders and when he carried out the robbery, had a black hood over a pale blue beanie hat. He was in possession of a black draw-string bag.

Detective Sergeant Steve Knubley of Spalding Police says there were large numbers of people around the area at the time. “I am keen to hear from anyone who saw a similar man hanging around prior to going into the Building Society or saw him walking off afterwards. This kind of offence is extremely rare in the Spalding area and the staff who were threatened by the man were shocked but not physically harmed by the man. I urge anyone who thinks they may have seen anything to contact me in the strictest confidence,” he said.

DS Knubley said he hoped to issue an image of the man entering the Building Society after he has examined CCTV footage early next week.

DS Steve Knubley can be contacted in confidence on either 0300 111 333 and ask for his extension or dial 01775 722233

Burglary – Warning to Residents – Barrett’s Close, Holbeach
Police are appealing for information after a man posing as a Neighbourhood Watch worker stole cash from a pensioner.

The offender knocked on the door of an elderly woman in Barrett's Close, Holbeach, at around 8.20pm on January 12. He said he was from Neighbourhood Watch and that he needed to check premises for security and signs of an intruder. The woman let him in, he searched around the house and when he left the woman found an amount of cash had been stolen. The man is described as in his early 20s and dressed in black.

South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Area Inspector Paul Timmins said: “Neighbourhood Watch representatives do not knock on doors asking for access, if anyone comes to your door claiming to be from Neighbourhood Watch, do not let them in and call us immediately.”

Burglary/Distraction – Trafalgar Square, Long Sutton – BD/10/108
Police are appealing for information after a substantial amount of cash was stolen from a pensioner in Long Sutton.

A 91-year-old man answered a knock on the door of his house in Trafalgar Square, Long Sutton, at around 4.40pm on January 8. The man at the door said he was from the gas board and that there was a possibility of an explosion. He claimed he needed to check his gas supply. The offender went into the house and was followed by two other men who searched the property. They stole cash and a carriage clock.

Residents are being warned to be on the lookout for people posing as utility company representatives and to always ask for ID and to check that ID by calling the companies before letting them into their homes.

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For all non-emergency calls contact Lincolnshire Police on: 0300 111 0300

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Burglary – Back Lane, Long Sutton – BD/10/100
Police are appealing for information after cash and jewellery were stolen from a house in Long Sutton.
This incident took place sometime between 7.20pm on January 7 and 6.20am on January 8 in Back Lane, Long Sutton.
Thieves broke in through a ground-floor window and stole cash, bank cards, a sat nav and jewellery.

Burglary – Grevel Close, Spalding – BD/10/104
Police are appealing for information after thieves stole computers and jewellery from a house in Spalding.
Offenders broke into the house in Grevel Close, Spalding, through the front door sometime between 8.30pm on January 4 and 3.30pm on January 8.
They stole a Sony Bravia TV, a Hewlett Packard laptop, an Acer laptop, an Ipod Nano and jewellery.

Burglary – Garnsgate Road, Long Sutton – BD/10/122
Police are appealing for information after a car was stolen in a burglary in Long Sutton.
Thieves broke into the house in Garnsgate Road, Long Sutton, between 12 noon and 6.50pm on January 9, and stole a set of car keys.
They then took a blue Ford Fiesta, registration R297YEW, which was parked outside.

Burglary – Broadgate, Whaplode Drove – BD/10/109
Police are appealing for information after jewellery was stolen from a house in Whaplode Drove.
Thieves broke into to a house in Broadgate, Whaplode Drove, through the bathroom window between 11am on January 3 and 8pm on January 8. They stole a quantity of jewellery

Update 12 – Crime Watch - Alan Wood - Murder Investigation: Lound, near Bourne – Inc 197 of November 4

The Alan Wood murder investigation will feature as the lead story on the BBC’s Crime Watch programme on January 27. It will involve a full reconstruction of events leading up to and after the murder. BBC crews will be filming in and around Lound, Stamford and Bourne in the next couple of weeks. If any individuals or businesses are asked to contribute to the filming, and they are happy to do so, Lincolnshire police would greatly appreciate their help.

Update 11 – Release of New CCTV Image - Alan Wood - Murder Investigation: Lound, near Bourne – Inc 197 of November 4

Please click on the following link to download footage and a still image: http://www.lincs.police.uk/video/bourne_cctv.zip

Det Supt Stuart Morrison will be available for interview from 4pm onwards at Sleaford Police Station.

Alan Wood (50) was found dead in his home in Lound, near Bourn on Saturday October 24 and a murder investigation was launched.

Enquiries have shown that the suspect then used Mr Wood’s bank cards at cash machines in Stamford and Bourne.

This latest footage is of a man officers believe could be our suspect, walking through Market Place, Bourne at around 9.40pm on October 22.

Det Supt Stuart Morrison said: “The image is the clearest we have released so far. We can see clearly that he is wearing a scarf, a dark coloured jumper and a baseball cap. This footage also gives a much better idea of build, posture and gait. We believe that people will be able to recognise this person from the footage if they know him. We are again asking people to take the time to study the footage on the force website and call us immediately, or crimestopers anonymously as soon as possible.

“The investigation is still progressing well and extensive enquiries are ongoing. Searches and house to house enquiries are now almost completed and forensic analysis is still being carried out. The trawl of 5,000 hours of CCTV footage is now also nearing completion.”

To view the footage and look at the E-fit visit: www.lincs.police.uk

To call with information dial: (01522) 882222, quoting incident number 197 of November 4