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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.

Officers responded to three house parties on Monday, April 12 after the gatherings were reported at properties in Dunholme Court, Pine Close and Longdales Road.

Police said a relatively small number of people were found at each property, between six and 10 people. Those involved breached the national restrictions that are still in place for socialising indoors.

All three parties police disbanded were in the Ermine area of Lincoln. | Photo: Google Maps

Outside of Lincoln, there were no other significant gatherings indoors across Lincolnshire brought to police’s attention.

Police added that they were not alerted to any significant incidents relating to the reopening of businesses and services on Monday, April 12.

Chief Superintendent Jon McAdam said: “Firstly I’d like to thank the vast majority of people across Lincolnshire for being responsible since the latest easing of the lockdown restrictions, and the positive measures taken by local businesses in ensuring this is managed as safe as possible.

“The reopening of pubs, shops, gyms and outdoor venues is welcome news for us all, but it is crucial that we don’t become complacent and we continue to stick to the rules; ensuring we all play our part to keep ourselves and others safe and to prevent any possible resurgence of the virus.

“This has been a difficult time for everyone and whilst we have reached the next stage for the easing of restrictions it is important to remind ourselves that indoor gatherings are not permitted at this time.”

Humberside Police said the majority of the region enjoyed their first evening of socialising in local establishments.

However, the force also said that there were “lots of incidents of alcohol-fuelled disorder in Ashby, Ferry Road, Westwoodside, West Butterwick and Barnetby, resulting in five people in custody.”

Darren Downs, Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside Police, said: “For many people, yesterday’s lifting of restrictions meant a socially distanced queue at the barbers or hairdressers, for others it was the long-awaited ability to meet with family and friends in a social setting, be it the local outdoor facilities of a restaurant, café or pub.

“We are pleased that the majority of the region enjoyed their first evening of socialising in local establishments. We did see some incidents reported but they had no direct connection to the lockdown restrictions easing and involved disputes between families and friends.

“I would take this opportunity to remind people that we still remain in a situation where we need be responsible for our actions, and make sure we observe social distancing guidance that is in place for the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

“People should remain vigilant and do everything they can to continue to prevent the spread of the virus. Whilst restrictions have eased, adhering to guidelines to prevent the virus spreading must remain a top priority.”

Meanwhile, police also reported that two men died in separate incidents in Cleethorpes after collapsing in the street, but neither death is being treated as suspicious.

Lincoln famous Castle and Steep Hill feature in footage for the new Age of Empire IV video game which is due to be released this autumn.

Age of Empires IV is being developed by Relic Entertainment. The game is described as taking players “on a journey through the ages as they command influential leaders, build expansive kingdoms, and fight some of the most critical battles of the Middle Ages”.

At the start of the Norman campaign, which is just one of four in the game, William of Normandy “sets forth on the hard-fought road to conquer England and become its new king”. Lincoln Castle and Steep Hill are shown in the ‘Normal Campaign Reveal’.

Steep Hill appears in footage of the Norman Campaign Reveal. | Screenshot: Age of Empires

Lincoln Castle features in the video game, which is expected to be released in autumn 2021. | Screenshot: Age of Empires

The other civilisations you’ll be able to play in are Chinese, Delhi Sultanate and Mongols.

IGN contributor and Age of Empires superman Leana Hafer got a first look and the game and a chance to talk to the development team at Relic.

She shared her thoughts and what she learned in a video uploaded to YouTube, including about the Norman campaign which shows footage appearing to represent Lincoln.

Recently Lincoln and Grimsby also featured in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, but not such true to historic form as the AoE4. Read more here and here.

Marc Jones, incumbent Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), will fight to keep his position to continue his “unfinished business” and challenge four other candidates in the PCC elections on May 6.

The PCC role oversees the strategy and finances of the police force and hires and fires chief constables, who are responsible for the daily policing operations. Mr Jones (Conservatives) was the second elected PCC of Lincolnshire in May 2016, and the role is paid £65,000 per year.

Labour City of Lincoln councillor Rosanne Kirk, David Williams from Lincolnshire Independents, Liberal Democrat Ross Pepper and Reform UK party member Peter Escreet are the other Lincolnshire PCC candidates.

Mr Jones said: “There hasn’t been a single day that I’ve not thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been endlessly challenging, interesting and it’s unique because not only do you get the responsibility of shaping policy, but you actually have the responsibility of managing the budget.”

His said he is standing again for PCC because he has “unfinished business” and wants to continue his work.

“I have built the local, regional and national connections to make sure Lincolnshire’s voices are heard and equally been successful in bringing in additional funding.”

His plans, if re-elected, include a new £250,000 anti fly-tipping fund and £500,000 rural crime fund to tackle crime in rural areas in Lincolnshire.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PCC elections were delayed a year, meaning the next term is only three years instead of four. Mr Jones believes this is not a enough time for a new PCC to “get their head around the job.”

“We need three years of absolute delivery to really get the very best out of Lincolnshire Police and the best for Lincolnshire and I honestly think I can deliver that.”

Marc Jones assured that he will continue to have a deputy PCC “because it’s simply too big a job for a single individual to do properly on their own”.

He said: “My personal views are that the morale and safety of officers and staff is paramount” and freeing up officer time to make them better trained is vital as well as having more police.

On the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Jones said there will be “lasting effects, particularly on our younger population and as partners, we need to really recognise that and get together and really have a plan for what we’re going to do to support our community.”

“It’s absolutely imperative that the next three years build on what we’ve already delivered and I would urge people to do that.

“I am confident that as a resident of Lincolnshire, as somebody who cares passionately about their community, that I’m in this for the right reasons and I want to be able to deliver my plan to keep people safer over the next three years and beyond.”

More on how Marc Jones plans to make Lincolnshire safer can be found on his campaign website.

Read more about all the other candidates and their priorities. Also see the candidates running for Humberside PCC, which covers Northern Lincolnshire.