Operation Calibre: tackling robbery

Operation Calibre, a national initiative to tackle personal robbery, launches this week in Lincolnshire.

As part of an intensified effort under the operation, we aim to enforce against this violent crime and engage with our communities to reassure, encourage reporting and provide crime prevention advice.

Detective Inspector David Penney said, “In Lincolnshire, we have a comparatively low number of robberies and we have seen that figure reduce further over the last year. However, to be a victim can be truly traumatic. The harm caused is long lasting and far reaching, affecting families and communities. One incident is one too many. Our work to tackle this crime is year round, but we want to use this week as a focus for engagement, education and enforcement.”

The robbery rate for England was 1.3 crimes per 1000 people for the year ending June 2023, whereas Lincs recorded 0.5 crimes per 1000 people. In the East Midlands region, Lincolnshire has the lowest rate.^[1]

DI Penney explained how communities can support the drive to tackle robbery. He explained, “While we are doing all we can to detect and deter this crime, there are several tips you can follow to protect yourself. We are emphasising these tips today. I encourage everyone share this information with family and friends. If you become a victim, or witness an incident, please report it. It’s really important that we know about each case and have any details that will help us take action against the perpetrator. If you have information, but prefer to call anonymously, Crimestoppers are available on 0800 555111. In an emergency always call 999.”

In Lincolnshire, we have seen a decrease of 10% in personal robbery in the current year compared with the same time period in 21/22 – this is a reduction from 334 to 299 incidents.^[2] However we know that in November, with the nights drawing in, and more people out shopping ahead of the festive period, we could see an increase in the numbers. DI Penney explained, “We know there will be more people out shopping for gifts for loved ones and celebrating with friends and colleagues in the weeks ahead, so the time is right to arm our communities with advice and information to help protect them against robbery.” 

Where and when

As the most populated area, Lincoln had the most recorded robberies in the last 12 months, followed by Boston. Skegness, Grantham and Gainsborough also had a higher number of incidents reported. This will be a countywide campaign with targeted communications focusing on Lincoln and Boston, where we see this concentration of offences.

The time you are most likely to be a victim of robbery in Lincolnshire is between 3pm and 10pm with approximately half of all incidents falling into this time period.

^[1] Source: Crime in England and Wales: year ending June 2023, ONS

^[2] Personal robbery, November 2022 to October 2023, compared with the same time period in the previous year  

Personal robbery safety tips

•  Anyone can become a victim of robbery. Be aware of your surroundings and confident of your direction. Offenders target any perceived vulnerability.
• Plan your route and keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV.
• Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.
• Keep your mobile phone and valuables out of sight.
• If you’re using your phone it’s more likely to be snatched from your hand as you’re not paying attention to your surroundings, so look around you.
• Never leave a mobile, any other device, wallet or purse on the table of an outdoor café, pub or restaurant.
• Keep jewellery covered.
• Finally – and this is vital – if you’re threatened with violence, don’t risk your personal safety. Property can be replaced, you can’t.

The Happening – knife crime initiative  

Pilot schools in Lincolnshire have been working with education coordinators from the force to explore a new knife crime educational space at Sleaford Police Station.

The Happening – knife crime initiative is an immersive, educational experience that aims to prevent and divert young people away from carrying a knife and being involved in serious violence.

It will challenge thinking, capture the reality, and look to dispel the myths and remove the glamour that is spoken about openly within young people’s lives and social media streams.

The project has been built within the station’s old custody suite and has seen a number of rooms converted into state-of-the-art spaces centred around knife crime.

Each room is unique and utilises real world props, videos, graffiti, posters, written content and more to help educate and inform young people.

Find out more about The Happening