December 2, 2016 9.04 am This story is over 87 months old

Policing Minister meets frontline Lincolnshire officers to discuss funding

Policing Minister Brandon Lewis met with frontline staff at Lincolnshire Police to discuss funding, the impact of summer visitors and assaults on officers. Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and other senior officers spoke with the minister at the force’s headquarters in Nettleham on Thursday, December 1. The minister also had discussions with a group of frontline staff and was…
Policing Minister Brandon Lewis (left) with Chief Constable Neil Rhodes

Policing Minister Brandon Lewis met with frontline staff at Lincolnshire Police to discuss funding, the impact of summer visitors and assaults on officers.

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and other senior officers spoke with the minister at the force’s headquarters in Nettleham on Thursday, December 1.

The minister also had discussions with a group of frontline staff and was briefed on the Blue Light Collaboration project as well as the way the force is developing the use of mobile data and body worn cameras.

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The visit was part of ‘Operation Cops’, which involves the minister visiting a number of forces to meet frontline staff and hear first-hand about the issues affecting them and the work they do in the community.

The minister also visited the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue training facility at Waddington and met Chief Fire Officer Nick Borrill and colleagues, Victoria Atkins MP and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Stuart Tweedale.

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After watching a tri-service rescue demonstration, the group was briefed on the facilities available to the emergency services at the site.

They also visited a farm near Lincoln and met a group of NFU members including Deputy Chair of the NFU Tim Casey and Councillor Graham Marsh, Deputy Leader of East Lindsey District Council and member of the Police and Crime Panel, to discuss the Lincolnshire Police response to rural crime

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Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said: “In addition to a half hour one to one with me when we discussed the good operational performance of the force and our challenging financial circumstances, he has heard some pretty straight talking from our officers about the challenges of their role.

“He was impressed by our Blue Light Collaboration plans and has agreed to return in May 2017 to formally open our shared police and fire headquarters.”