More than a third of call-outs for Lincolnshire Police assistance are related to mental health issues, as the force has seen spikes in suicide rates affecting young people disproportionately.
This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns across the UK, with Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Chris Haward expecting further increases in mental health reports as the county leaves lockdown.
In the latest incident on Wednesday, April 14, Lincolnshire Police had to close Broadgate in Lincoln to talk down a man who was on the bridge.
Chief Constable Haward said: “This is a real issue around partnership operation and actual mental health provision in the community.
“Whilst we can respond to the initial crisis, it’s actually how do we deal with those people in crisis once the police have been, and how do we engage mental health practitioners, how do we engage with the NHS and how do we work as a partnership to try and help these people who are so vulnerable.
“We’re definitely seeing a real spike in suicide rates and attempted suicide, and it’s a very sad state of affairs. It’s actually affecting young people more disproportionately than anybody else from what I can see from our figures at the moment. We’re just going through a review of that.”
CC Haward also believes there are more people who will need mental health support. He said: “People will feel anxious about coming out of lockdown in some cases, and that may exacerbate some of these problems, and it’s only when we come out of lockdown, when people start reconnecting, that we find we’ve got people in need of help.
He added: “There’s work going on with the Police and Crime Commissioner and NHS mental health services, looking at what our partnership response will be, and how we might address this, but I think as we come out of lockdown, we’re probably going to see a further increase in this.”
“As an emergency service, we’ve got to be there to help with that but we’ve also got to be mindful that there is a wider response that is required here from our health partners, ambulance services and our local authorities about what that care might look like in the community.”
It is an exciting time for retailers in Lincoln, as they welcome customers back into stores after the relaxation of lockdown guidelines, but not everyone on the High Street has reopened.
The financial turmoil of the last year, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and a long stretch of not being able to trade due to lockdown, has caused many companies to fall into administration and/or close stores.
Even big chains aren’t safe from this, and The Lincolnite took a walk down Lincoln High Street to see which stores haven’t reopened from April 12, when government guidelines allowed for them to return.
Patisserie Valerie
| Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite
There were initially big plans for Patisserie Valerie’s unit once the business was forced to close amid a national fraud scandal, with live music and coffee venue Stray’s scheduled to take over the shop in the spring of 2020. However, no progress has been made with that deal, presumably as a result of the pandemic, and the unit is still vacant.
Superfi
The shutters went down in February 2019. | Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
The tale of this electronics store on the High Street is a peculiar one. It closed all of its national stores in February 2019, then returned in Lincoln in May, then closed again for lockdown, and hasn’t reopened since.
Moshulu
| Photo: Guy Owen for The Lincolnite
The bright and colourful shoe retailer will be waiting before it welcomes customers back, choosing to open on Saturday, April 24.
Eqvvs/ Eqvvs Women
The Eqvvs store on Lincoln High Street.
A slightly delayed return for the fashion retailer, which has waited until Thursday, April 15 to open its Lincoln stores. This includes the Eqvvs store itself, as well as the Eqvvs Women store close by.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays on Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
After what feels like a never-ending wait, TGI Fridays is very nearly ready to open its doors in Lincoln. The American-style restaurant chain took over the unit from Carluccio’s, after the Italian brand went into administration in March 2020. Fridays’ move was announced in July, planned to open before Christmas, delayed until January, then delayed again before a promise of a spring opening.
Two Seasons
The store abruptly closed. | Photo: The Lincolnite
A shock departure from our High Street, Two Seasons quietly closed its doors overnight in August and hasn’t been open again since.
Intersport
Intersport did not reopen on April 12. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The sport retailer did reopen after the first lockdown, but its future is in doubt after not returning on April 12 this time round. The Facebook page has disappeared, and the website link to the Lincoln page doesn’t work. Could this be it for Intersport on the High Street?
Thorntons
Thorntons will leave Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Financial pressure brought on by COVID-19, as well as the “changing dynamics of the High Street”, meant the chocolate retailer closed all of its UK stores in March 2021.
Topshop and Topman
The new joint Topshop Topman opened in Lincoln Waterside Shopping Centre on July 19, 2018. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
After Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia Group fell into administration back in November, online fashion website Asos bought out the Topshop and Topman brands, but the physical stores were kept closed. This was also the case for the Lincoln branches inside Waterside Shopping Centre.
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse on Lincoln’s High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The mobile retailer was among the first to close its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic, shutting all 531 standalone stores in March 2020.
Monsoon
Monsoon is set to leave Lincoln High Street. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
After Monsoon Accessorize entered administration and announced 35 store closures in June 2020, it was expected that the Lincoln Monsoon branch would not reopen. However, Accessorize was open on the High Street this week, leaving Monsoon’s future in jeopardy.
Jack Wills
The sign has been painted over now. | Photo: The Lincolnite
This won’t come as a surprise to many, given the store’s abrupt end to life on Lincoln High Street back in July, with the sign painted over and a rumoured 50 stores closing across the UK.
Little Gift Shop
That Little Gift Shop on Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Little Gift Shop near the railway crossing on the High Street closed for good in September 2020 after six years in business. The unit has yet to be taken over by a new premises.
Linkage
The High Street charity shop has been closed down. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Lockdown has been difficult for so many charities across the country, and Linkage is no different to that. They lost the Lincoln High Street store last year and it is now up for let with JHWalter. There are now just two Linkage stores in the area, one on the Bailgate and another in Birchwood.
Boots Opticians
The Boots Opticians store moved up the road in 2019. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Boots Opticians had a change of scenery in 2019 when it moved into the main Boots store, also on the High Street. Planning has now been submitted for another opticians, Acuitis Optical and Hearing, to move in there, and is pending council approval.
Fone Doctor
Gametronics closed in 2019. | Photo: The Lincolnite
This unit has been an eventful one over the last few years, with Gametronics being there from 2014 to 2019, before a merger with Game saw that store close. It was replaced by Fone Doctor, which did not last long and ended up closing in January 2020.
Ruddocks of Lincoln
Work has already started inside the former Ruddocks of Lincoln. | Photo: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
The wait for a new tenant at the former Ruddocks of Lincoln site has been a long one. Ruddocks closed on the High Street in 2017, after more than 160 years in business. After a couple of years planning, work has now begun on replacing it with an arcade bar called Carousel, which will also have a Quickdraw virtual shooting range.
Madame Waffle
Madame Waffle will be planning a return for May. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The popular coffee bar will be reopening on May 19, should the government roadmap still allow it, due to a lack of outdoor space. Staff have refurbished the inside and have said they “cannot wait” to come back.
Stokes High Bridge Cafe
Delivery only for Stokes High Bridge Cafe, for now at least. | Photo: The Lincolnite
An institution in the city of Lincoln, the near 100-year-old coffee shop has been offering a delivery service throughout lockdown, and that has continued through April. Due to coronavirus measures not yet permitting people to dine-in for food or drink, High Bridge Cafe cannot reopen in that capacity until May. The Lawn on Union Road is open, however.
Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire have been protesting and campaigning for action on climate change for a number of years, and they’ve had a trusty sidekick with them every step of the way.
Snowy, a unique German Shepherd and chocolate labradoodle crossbreed, was employed by Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire as a de-escalation and therapy dog in 2018 and has been the talk of the town ever since.
His owner, Ian Rushby, called him “a special dog” that is “completely chilled out and gentle, with a habit of standing on your feet and leaning into you.”
This protesting is tiring work! | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
Born in October 2014 as the largest of five puppies, the six-year-old pooch has been attending Extinction Rebellion protests in Lincolnshire and beyond since the winter of 2018.
Ever since his first protests at Biscathorpe in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Snowy has been there to comfort rebels and be a calming influence during marches in Greater Lincolnshire, Hull, Manchester, Leeds and London.
Snowy is an avid attender of XR protests across the country. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
“Snowy steps forward and provides a safe, neutral, space where the people involved can find some common ground”, Ian said.
“He has been the starting point of great conversations and friendships across all cultural and demographic boundaries.
“I’ve lost count of the number of people who have been moved to tears, both grief and joy, by having Snowy around.”
Snowy is always eager to help out. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
He has also apparently defused potentially hostile situations at roadblocks and other protests, and this is due to Snowy “just being himself.”
It hasn’t always been the rebellious life for Snowy though, who has been to a number of countries with his owners since being born, including Morocco, Switzerland, Malta and Italy.
Even a therapy dog needs some me time. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
He was described as a bit of a celebrity everywhere he went, attracting attention and making an impression on the locals whenever he went out on walks.
Ian said: “Because of his striking looks, friendly and relaxed manner, everyone wants to stroke him, which has created a virtuous circle, of looking even cuter in order to be stroked again!”
Snowy was one of five puppies, and was the only one with white fur. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
If you want to follow Snowy’s story, you can visit his Instagram page.
A Lincoln-based tech CEO has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for technology.
Leo Scott Smith was recognised by Forbes for his work as CEO of Tended, the Lincoln-based tech firm which has famously pushed boundaries with live-saving technology.
He set up Tended at just 22-years-old back in 2017, with the vision of putting an end to avoidable injuries and deaths in a workplace environment.
Since its inception, Tended has expanded massively and now has offices in London and China, as well as right here in Lincoln.
Leo was also included in The Lincolnite’s 2019 30 Under 30 list for Lincolnshire after the launch of his Tended Protect product, a wrist-worn device that detects danger in the workplace.
Leo Scott Smith is the CEO of Tended, based in Lincoln.
It was during a charity visit to Nepal where Leo first had the idea for his technology, realising that if he were to be in danger, he may not be found.
This prompted the beginning of Tended and the subsequent Tended Protect wristband, which can call for help in case of an emergency, and even sends GPS locations to trusted contacts.
In 2020 he continued to innovate and create, launching a vibrating wrist strap that can sense when someone comes within a pre-set distance of you, helping businesses to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If staff breach a minimum separation distance, their wearable will vibrate to notify them to move away.
Now his efforts have been recognised even further, with famous clients such as Rolls Royce, Network Rail and Siemens all using his company’s technology.
Speaking about his inclusion in the Forbes list, Leo said: “It’s really great to be recognised for such a highly acclaimed award. It’s a huge achievement and a testament to the team at Tended as without them, the award would not have been possible.”
Lincolnshire’s Police Chief Constable says lockdown rule enforcement and relaxing COVID restrictions are the main challenges the force has at the moment, especially with a high demand for holidaying in the summer in coastal areas.
This comes as between 45 and 50 coronavirus breaches are reported each day to Lincolnshire Police.
Chris Haward became the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire on December 19, 2020, moving his role as East Midlands Deputy Chief Constable, and replacing Bill Skelly who retired.
CC Haward said: “We’re now planning for June 21 [when further restrictions are lifted], and what that might mean to our resources and our resilience.
“We know for the east coast it’s mainly going to be people holidaying in the UK this year, and probably for next year as well, that the demand for holiday homes and caravans across the east coast is huge.
“We’re expecting a real rise in the population through the summer months. So that’s definitely a challenge for us.”
He added: “When we first started COVID enforcement, we were getting between 12 and 15 calls per day about COVID breaches, we are now averaging over 45 to 50 per day. So that’s definitely a big demand on us as we come into the summer months.
“It will be about antisocial behaviour and public order and rowdiness, particularly in our coastal towns.”
Lincolnshire Police handed out eight fines after three house parties in the Ermine area of Lincoln, on the same evening COVID lockdown restrictions eased for outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail shops reopened.
CC Haward said: “I urge people to abide by the roadmap that the government have set out. If we if we take our time, and we do it properly, then we’re more likely to come out of lockdown, and will be able to remain out of lockdown.
“We’ve come this far and for the sake of another two months, let’s just hold on to the discipline that we’ve had.”
He reflects fondly on his first 100 days in the role: “It’s been fantastic. Because of the time that I’ve joined with leading up to March and the new financial year, all the planning has given me an opportunity to go out and meet a good proportion of my officers and get out to some of the stations.”
Lincolnshire Police issued 367 COVID-19 enforcement fines, including those under local lockdowns, between March and December last year.
Eight fines were for breaches of face coverings regulations and another eight for international travel regulations.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested after crashing his car into a house in Skegness, and he allegedly didn’t have a licence or insurance.
The man was arrested for driving offences after an Insignia car hit a house on the A52 Croft Bank, near the Lomax garage in the seaside town at around 11.40pm on Monday, April 12.
He then fled the scene after the incident, causing significant damage to the property — but luckily nobody was injured, and police issued an appeal to track him down.
Officers eventually found and arrested a 26-year-old on suspicion of failing to stop at a road traffic collision, driving without a licence and without insurance, as well as aggravated vehicle taking.
He has been released on bail while investigations continue, and anyone with information is being asked to call 101 and quote incident 514 of April 12.
