‘Boston is getting a bad name’: Residents claim serious crimes now ‘an everyday occurrence’

Concerned Boston residents have spoken of their fears about the town’s safety and perceived negative image after a man died at the weekend.

Lincolnshire Police are treating the death of the man found seriously injured on Pen Street at around 4.30pm on Saturday, September 23, as murder.

Forensic teams have been on the scene of the suspected murder throughout the morning of Monday, September 25, with police vans guarding the area.

Dean Gross, 48, is the landlord of the New Inn pub which is next to the crime scene on Pen Street.

He told Lincolnshire Reporter that events like this were sadly “an everyday occurrence in the town”.

“I saw two police cars on Saturday afternoon and numerous amounts on Sunday,” he said.

“I didn’t really think anything to it as it’s just the norm and it’s an everyday occurrence in the town.

“It’s not safe to go around the town anymore and my wife feels unsafe, and I think many others don’t feel safe.

“This weekend my business has been very quiet.”

The attack happened on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Guy Owen for Lincolnshire Reporter

Tom Hall, of Tom’s Sandwich Shop on Pen Street, was similarly concerned by the incident.

He said: “There was a stabbing a few weeks ago and it is quite worrying.

“Boston is getting a bad name for these types of crimes.”

An unnamed male resident, who was walking along Pen Street, added: “You’ve got to be careful which streets you go down now. It does give a bad name to the town and people will be scared to visit Boston.”

Photo: Guy Owen for Lincolnshire Reporter

Detective chief inspector Diane Coulson, from the major crime unit EMSOU, said: “We continue to investigate the circumstances that have led to this man’s death. This is now a murder investigation.

“We have seven people in custody. There is a lot of work to do to establish the criminal activity in this case.

“Officers will be on patrol in the area; while they cannot discuss the specifics of the investigation, please take the time to talk to our staff and pass any information you may have that will help with our enquiries.

“We will not tolerate violence of any sort in our community and will leave no stone unturned to bring those responsible to answer for their action.”

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police should call 101, quoting incident number 336 of September 23.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.