Commercial burglary series in Lincoln and North Hykeham

We are investigating links between a number of commercial burglaries in the Brant Road and Forum shopping centre areas in Lincoln and North Hykeham.

Over the past three weeks there have been nine break-ins at a number of different commercial premises, with a range of items and cash stolen.

As we follow up on a number of lines enquiry in each of the incidents, we are urging retail and business premises to ensure that their security is up to date, and recommend installing CCTV cameras, alarms, and approved locks if not already installed.

We are also appealing for anyone with information about who is responsible to come forward. This can be done to us directly, or anonymously via Crimestoppers and you will never have to reveal it was you who provided the information. Information provided could lead to an arrest and charge for the person responsible.

We are keeping an open mind about the circumstances and people responsible, but we are considering whether the incidents are linked.

The latest break-ins took place in the early hours of yesterday morning (2 August), where Betfred and Tesco in The Forum at North Hykeham were targeted.

Entry to the Betfred building is believed to have been forced, and betting machines have been damaged and contents removed.  Nothing is believed to have been stolen from the Tesco store. Both break-ins happened at around 2am.

Specialist officers were on scene at both locations yesterday, and we are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry for these and the other incidents.

Inspector Jon Birkin from the Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "These are all offences which have a serious impact on the local communities that these stores serve, and the employees. We are taking this very seriously, and acting on a number of lines of intelligence to find the person responsible. We know that coming forward with information can be daunting, and there was ways you can tell us what you know without needing to give your details by using Crimestoppers. I would encourage anyone who hasn't come forward to do so, and make use of the anonymous reporting option if that helps you feel confident in coming forward."

Here’s a full list of the incidents:

• Incident 40 of 7 July at McColls, Brant Road, Lincoln at 4.14am. Tobacco and whisky were stolen;
• Incident 98 of 9 July at Fone Doctor, The Forum in Newark Road broken in to at 2.33am. Laptops and ear pods were stolen;
• Incident 86 of 19 July at McColls, Brant Road, Lincoln at 3.23am. Alcohol and tobacco stolen;
• Incident 179 of 25 July at Lounge and Beauty Hair Salon in Brant Road, Lincoln. Attempted break in reported to have happened at some point between 5.30pm 23 July and 8.45am on 25 July.
• Incident 81 of 24 July at McColls, Brant Road, Lincoln at 3.16am. Cigarettes stolen;
• Incident 36 of 26 July at the Morrisons at Turner Avenue at 3.03am. Cigarettes were stolen;
• Incident 140 of 30 July, attempted break-in at the Sue Ryder shop in The Forum following report that their front door had been damaged. Incident believed to have happened at some point between 5.15pm 29 July and 8.45am 30 July;
• Incident 70 of 2 August at Tesco The Forum. Alarm sounded at 2am, nothing reported stolen;
• Incident 95 of 2 August at Betfred at  Machines broken open at around 2am.

If you can help with our enquiries there are a number of ways to get in touch:

• You can call us on 101 quoting the relevant incident number.
• You can email: force.[email protected] adding the relevant incident number in the subject line.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online