Lincolnshire Police Media Briefing For The 24 Hours To 0700 Wednesday 13th July 2010
THE DIVISIONAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS FOR SOUTH AND EAST ARE WORKING TODAY AND WILL CIRCULATE FURTHER BRIEFINGS FOR THEIR DIVISIONS LATER TODAY. QUERIES FOR WEST SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HQ PRESS OFFICE, CONTACT DETAILS BELOW.
Voicebank - 0871 220 7791
WEST DIVISION
For further information on incidents occurring on West Division please contact HQ Press Office on 01522 558026 or email: media@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Distraction Burglary - Albert Street, Spalding - Incident 203 of 12 July 2010
(possibly linked to other West Division incidents - see below)
This offence was reported at about 10.40am on Monday 12 July. A man called at the home of a 59-year-old woman in Albert Street, Spalding. He claimed to be from Anglian Water, and that she had a leaky tap which was using too much water. She checked with her local water authority, to be told that no such persons were in her area, and the man ran away. The man is described as a white man, about 25-30 years old, very slim with short brown hair and a pale/pitted complexion. He was wearing a navy top and blue jeans, grey and white trainers, and a grey hooded top.
Distraction Burglary - Main Street, Ewerby, nr Sleaford - Incident 356 of 12 July 2010
This incident was reported at 3pm on Monday 12 July. A youth, aged about 17 knocked on the door of a the home of a 77-year-old woman in Main Street, Ewerby. He asked the lady to turn off the washing machine. He was joined by another youth who asked her to the washer off, as it was flooding next door's house. The lady managed to get them to leave the property. A black Audi TT car was seen parked near the Reading Room (village hall). It is not thought anything was stolen. Descriptions of the youths are: the first youth was approx 17 years old, 5ft 5" tall, very slim and pale, wearing a navy blue tracksuit and a grey and navy baseball cap. The second youth was of a similar age to the first youth, wearing a grey tracksuit and a white baseball cap.
Distraction Burglary - Side Bar Lane, Heckington Fen, nr Sleaford - Incident 382 of 12 July 2010
This offence was committed at about 3.10pm on 12 July and reported to the police at about 3.40pm. Two men visited the home of a 79 year-old woman in Side Bar Lane, Heckington, and said that they were there to fix the sceptic tank. She was enticed outside and it is believed that one of the men climbed through a window and stole £20 cash. Again, a black Audi TT was seen in the vicinity. The men are described as a white man, about 6ft tall, with brown medium length hair, aged between 35 and 40, wearing a blue work-style jacket and possibly jeans. He spoke with what is described as a local accent. The other man was not as tall as the first man, possibly with fair hair and white skinned.
Burglary - Sleaford Road, Cranwell - Incident 89 of 13 July 2010
This offence was reported at 9.30am on Tuesday 13 July. The offender(s) had forced entry to the property via a side window. The premises was searched. It is not known what, if anything was stolen. A black Audi TT was seen nearby. Two men were seen leaving the house and getting into the car at about 2pm on Monday 12 July. The descriptions are two white men in their mid 20s, one in a grey hooded top with a grey baseball cap, the other wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap. It is believed that all of the above offences may be connected. Late on the afternoon of 12 July, a black Audi TT was stopped in the Cambridgeshire Police area and two men were arrested on suspicion of stealing the vehicle from somewhere in Cambridgeshire. These men will be brought back to Lincolnshire after they have been questioned by Cambridgeshire Police, and they will be interviewed about the above offences. Anyone with any information about any of these offences or any other suspicious activity during Monday 12 July, particularly involving a black Audi car, is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jane Aves, of Lincoln CID on 0300 111 0300. Alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Police Warn Public to be Vigilant following Thefts from Vehicles in Gainsborough
Over the weekend, between Sunday 11th July and Monday 12th July, fifteen motor vehicles in and around Gainsborough were targeted by thieves. All these offences took place around the area from North Parade to Whiteswood Lane. The vehicles targeted were all small hatchbacks, and had their door prized open or window smashed and valuables, mostly CD players and stereos taken. Inspector Michelle Mcilroy from Lincolnshire Police would like to appeal for any witnesses who may be able to help identify the offender(s) as they all took place over the weekend in the early hours of Sunday morning. Last weekend the same area was targeted, with identical offences taking place. Inspector Mcilroy says, "We will be mounting extra patrols in the area, conducting house to house enquiries and working with vehicle owners to prevent their cars being targeted by asking them to remove all valuables from display when they lock up their cars". She urges all vehicle owners to exercise extra vigilance and security and asks anyone with any information to ring Gainsborough Police Station on 0300 111 0300 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
North Kesteven Re-Run Successful ‘Junior Crime Fighters’ Scheme
Media opportunity: Junior Crime Fighters Scheme will take place on Monday 26 July and Tuesday 27 July between 9.30am to 4.30pm at Witham St Hughs Primary School on Muntjac Way in Witham St Hughs.
Children in their final year at Bassingham Primary School, Brant Broughton Church of England and Methodist Primary School and Witham St Hughs Primary School are being invited, for the third year running, to take part in the Junior Crime fighters Scheme, run by the Hykeham Rural South Neighbourhood Policing Team. The children will participate in the scheme, which aims to give them information and awareness about a range of police and crime-related topics. At the end of the two days, a child will be chosen to receive that award of "Top Cop" and presented with a trophy to keep. In addition, the winner will receive a specially engraved shield for his or her school to retain for a year. Police Community Support Officer Chris Boyle, from the Hykeham Rural South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “Following the success of the last two years, I'm delighted that we're running the scheme again for the third summer". "The feedback we've received is that the children found this extremely interesting and enjoyable, and we were really pleased to have the opportunity to interact with them, and instil some awareness and understanding of some important issues to them at an early age".
Activities and talks taking place include:
- Crime prevention and property marking
- Tours around the Mobile Police Station, CCTV van and police car
- Personal safety and first aid
- Prison talk and drill moves
- Drugs - what they look like and how they can affect you
- Crime scene investigation with a ‘who dunnit’ mock crime to solve
- Conservation of the environment, litter-picking and looking at the impact vandalism has on the community
- Using speed guns to see how fast vehicles are travelling
The partner agencies who are taking part in the event with Lincolnshire Police are HM Prison Service, Hill Holt Urban Rangers, North Kesteven District Council. The Hykeham Rural South Neighbourhood Policing Team is based at Hykeham Police Station on Chatsworth Drive in North Hykeham and can be contacted on 01522 805720 or 0300 111 0300 for non-emergency enquiries.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300
EAST DIVISION
For further information on incidents occurring on East Division, please contact Nerys McGarry 0n 01754 614324 or mobile 07789 920683 e-mail: nerys.mcgarry@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Boston Neighbourhood Policing Area
Burglary, Frampton Roads, Frampton – Incident 405 of 12 July 2010
Police are appealing for information regarding a burglary that occurred between 2.15pm and 3pm on Monday 12 July at a property on Frampton Roads in Frampton. The offender used a small window to gain access to open the patio doors and, once inside, made an untidy search of the address. An amount of cash was stolen during the burglary.
Anyone with information should contact Boston Police Station on 0300 111 0300 quoting the above incident number or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Skegness Neighbourhood Policing Area
Burglary, Burgh Road, Skegness – Incident 527 of 12 July 2010 - Arrests
Police were called to a caravan site on Burgh Road, Skegness, at 8.25pm on Monday 12 July, in response to reports that a burglary was in progress. Officers discovered that a caravan had had a window broken in order to gain entry and two 18 year-old men from Skegness were arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary. One man has been released without charge and the other has been released on Police bail pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information should contact Skegness Police Station on 0300 111 0300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Distraction Burglary, Dutton Avenue, Skegness – Incident 331 of 12 July 2010 - Arrest
A 33 year-old Skegness woman has been arrested on suspicion of burglary following an incident at an address in Dutton Avenue, Skegness. At approx 2.15pm on Monday 12 July, the elderly occupant of the property was visited by a woman purporting to be delivering newspapers. The woman asked to come inside for a glass of water and it is believed that this distraction was used by the offender to steal a purse containing cash and bank cards. The arrested woman was taken to Skegness Police Station to assist with enquiries.
Anyone with information should contact Skegness Police Station on 0300 111 0300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300
SOUTH DIVISION
For further information on incidents occurring on South Division please contact James Newall on 01476 403316 or mobile: 07768 615853 or e-mail: james.newall@lincs.pnn.police.uk
South Kesteven (Grantham) Neighbourhood Policing Area
Diesel Theft - Wolley’s Lane, Lobthorpe – Incident 198 of 12 July 2010
Police are appealing for information after diesel was stolen from a bus. This incident took place sometime over the weekend (Fri July 9 to Mon July 12) in Wolley’s Lane, Lobthorpe. Offenders siphoned off about 400 litres of diesel from a white single-decker DAF bus.
Burglary - Manor Drive, Harlaxton – Incident 468 of 12 July 2010
Police are appealing for information after a car was stolen in a burglary in Grantham. This incident took place sometime between 8.45am and 6pm on July 12 in Manor Drive, Harlaxton. Offenders broke into a house through a window at the side and stole jewellery, watches, a Panasonic LCD TV and a set of car keys. They then stole a grey Nissan Murano, registration FV58 WHM, from the driveway.
South Kesteven (Stamford) Neighbourhood Policing Area
Theft From Vehicle - Spalding Road, Market Deeping – Incident 194 of 12 July 2010
Police are appealing for information after a disabled badge was stolen from a car in Market Deeping. This incident took place between 4pm and 5pm in Spalding Road, Market Deeping, on July 12. An offender reached in through the open window of a Citroen Picasso and stole a disabled badge from the dashboard.
South Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership - Market Deeping’s first No Cold Calling Zone
Working with Lincolnshire Trading Standards, the neighbourhood policing team in Market Deeping has signed up 180 houses to take part in the scheme. Residents in Wellington Way, Shackelton Close, Anson Court and Lancaster Way are all participating. Road signs have been put up and No Cold Calling posters and cards are being displayed in people’s windows and doors. PCSO Raechell Last said: “These zones are designed to stamp out the problem of bogus callers and distraction burglars. Anyone thinking of doing anything like that will know that all of the residents in the area are clued up on the issue and will call us immediately is the have any suspicions. This acts as a real deterrent and means these criminals just stay away.”A further zone will covering Court Fields and Glebe View in Market Deeping will be launched on July 30.
Warning to People Swimming at Quarry - Hansen Aggregates Quarry/Excavation Site - Langtoft Fen
Police are warning people not to use this land as a recreational area. Officers have received reports of people having BBQs and swimming at the site over the past couple of weeks. The quarry is owned by a firm and entering the area is trespassing. Swimming in the lake is also extremely dangerous. The company is in the process of improving perimeter fencing and officers will be visiting the area regularly to keep an eye on the situation.
South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Area
Burglary - Littlebury Gardens, Holbeach – Incident 209 of 12 July 2010
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 July 12. 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.
Missing Person - Christopher Branley
Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Christopher Branley. The 16-year-old boy went missing from an address in Clay Drove, Pinchbeck, on July 2. He is believed to be in the Peterborough area. Police are asking him, or anyone who knows him to get in touch with them as soon as possible to confirm he is safe and well. Christopher is 5ft 9in tall, of medium build and has blond hair in a short Mohican style. He also has a pierced lip. He was last seen wearing a red England football shirt, cream shorts and black and white trainers.
For all non-emergency calls contact us on: 0300 111 0300
GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
Metal Theft Day of Action - Wednesday 14th July 2010
In common with all other police forces areas in England and Wales theft of metal is an ongoing problem in Lincolnshire. Metal theft is not a victimless crime and has a negative impact upon the communities in which we live. As well as affecting businesses and organisations, it can also have a direct impact on the public, causing service interruption for the provision of utilities and services such as electricity, water, gas, telecommunications and rail transport. The police, government and industry representatives are working together in partnership to address the issue of metal theft, and on Wednesday 14th July there will be a national Metal Theft Day of Action, involving a number of agencies. The joint aim will be to work with the scrap metal industry to reduce opportunities for thieves to sell on stolen metal. Within each Neighbourhood Policing Area in Lincolnshire significant work has been done, not only to target offenders, but to build effective relationships with scrap metal dealers. This joint approach reduces the opportunity for offenders to dispose of stolen metal by supporting the dealers who are equally concerned about stolen materials being offered for sale. The Metal Theft Day of Action on 14th July is a national initiative led by British Transport Police. It will focus on what has become weekly business for Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Lincolnshire. Scrap dealers will be visited to check their records (by law they have to maintain records of people and vehicles weighing in metal). Roads Policing Officers will also be carrying out joint patrols with staff from the Environment Agency, checking vehicles laden with scrap metal to ensure compliance with legislation concerning vehicles and the carriage of scrap. Detective Inspector Chris Bennett of Lincolnshire Police says, “Raising awareness and building strong relationships with businesses, individuals and communities is the key to tackling this crime”. “The increase in the price of metal undoubtedly has an effect on the level of metal thefts, and we undertake work on an ongoing basis which aims at preventing and detecting metal theft offences”. “There are many ways in which can make a direct impact on the level of this crime, from the public reporting suspicious activity to us, to the provision of intelligence, and dealers enforcing rigorous checks to ensure that metal brought in to them comes from legitimate sources”. Detective Inspector Bennett went on to say, “The theft of metal is an ongoing problem throughout the county and nationally, and we want to send a clear message to criminals that we are doing all we can to ensure that it is not an easy crime to commit”. “By putting a few basic measures in place, such as working with scrap metal dealers, and raising awareness of this crime among the general public, we can make a real difference to the level of metal theft offences in our county”. British Transport Police and Home Office Police Forces have conducted many operations, made hundreds of arrests and secured convictions for metal theft offences. Those who steal cable from the railways and other areas are putting themselves in real danger. Railway lines are operational 24 hours a day and trespassing can prove fatal. Strong currents also pass through many cables and can seriously injure anyone who touches them. Those who steal cable are not only risking a prison sentence, they are risking their lives.
Anyone with information about individuals engaged in metal theft or dealing in stolen metal is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 0300 111 0300 or call the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. If you see a crime in progress call 999.
