Police are cracking down on Lincoln beggars who have homes or refused help. The move comes after residents and businesses complained about the beggars who actually have homes and access to money, despite claiming to be sleeping rough.
Presently, beggars can earn up to £20,000 per year by sleeping on the streets, according to Lincolnshire Police. They earn around £40 during weekdays, and up to £100 on weekends.
“Over recent months we have received many verbal and written complaints from members of the public in relation to the problem of beggars,” said Inspector Mark Garthwaite of Lincolnshire Police.
“Having talked to other agencies and homeless groups, we have developed a process for dealing with these individuals. On the first occasion they are found begging they are given a letter, explaining why they are breaking the law and warning them that if they are found again in similar circumstances they will be arrested.”
It is an offence to ‘place oneself in a public place to gather alms’, according to the Vagrancy Act 1824. So far, three people have been charged under the act in Lincoln.
Daniel Christopher Terry (31), of Clarendon View, Robert James Reid (38), of Lawrence Close, and Richard Mettham (37), of Alness Close, will appear before Lincoln Magistrates Court at the end of the month due to begging offences.
“The key here is dealing with the symptoms of the problem and trying to get help for people who genuinely have no shelter and no money,” Garthwaite added.
“The letters also contain contact details of organisations and agencies in Lincoln who may be able to help them. If necessary, for genuine cases, our officers will even make contact with those agencies and set up appointments for people. We want to help anyone who is really in trouble.
“While we do have people who live on the streets of Lincoln, with serious personal and financial problems, there are also some who are using this as a way of making money, and sometimes they are threatening and intimidating to achieve their aim.
“For example, we are aware of one man [not one of the named above] who begs in the city centre, who is not homeless, but regularly makes more than £50 a day from passers-by. For me, this is tantamount to theft.
Police advise those who really want to help the homeless in Lincoln, that it is better to donate money or time to the Nomad Trust or the YMCA.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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