Lincolnshire top in East Midlands for primary school performance

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.