September 2, 2010 2.25 pm This story is over 175 months old

City Hall resumes services after axe attack

Target: City Hall is beginning to resume its services after an axe attack last week by a disgruntled individual.

The City of Lincoln Council’s Property Shop will be resuming all normal benefit and housing services by next week, after it was destroyed by an axe attack.

Following the incident where Daniel Seaman (28) trashed the Property Shop area of the City Hall, windows, offices and equipment were damaged, meaning the council had only been able to offer limited services.

Though some repairs will still be incomplete, all services will be available from September 7. Until then only emergency homelessness cases or appointments can be dealt with in the limited interview rooms. Benefit services are being operated from the Customer Service Centre, with some individual appointments being rescheduled.

Deputy Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, Councillor Marc Jones said: “The incident on Friday, August 27, left us with a Property Shop area that was too badly damaged to be used.

“Our teams have worked quickly to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs so that we can welcome our customers back as soon as possible. The interview rooms were a particular priority as this is where our staff can have private and confidential discussions with our customers.

“I would like to thank all of the staff who have reacted to a very difficult situation with great professionalism.”

The incident which took place on August 27 at City Hall was because Seaman had a grudge against Lincolnshire County Council due being abused while in care.

He took to the City Hall with an axe and then began a rampage through the Property Shop, damaging various pieces of equipment. He also punched a council member in the face.

In court, he pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage, affray, and punching a member of City of Lincoln Council staff in the face, and also admitted he meant to go to the County Council, not City.

The damage comes after the City of lincoln Council spent around £300,000 on revamping the new area for the Property Shop in July.

Repair work includes replacing internal and external windows, display units, furniture and electronic equipment.

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo: The Linc