Lincolnshire Police used the new GT: Sport racing game. Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Lincolnshire Police have been testing out the new Gran Turismo Sport PlayStation game to look at new driver training methods.
Four operations officers went to Silverstone race circuit to test the new game and its effects on driving and to see if additional methods could help increase the police training structures.
Assistant Chief Constable Shaun West, said: “Our officers met with experts at GT Academy at Silverstone to investigate whether the alternate route they offer to professional drivers – training players virtually using Gran Turismo and then transitioning them to real-world track driving – could offer Lincolnshire Police an alternate way of looking at how we develop and supplement our existing training methods.”
After doing a lap at Silverstone, the four officers were coached using the new virtual reality mode to develop their driving skills which identified if the officers under or oversteered, carried too much speed into corners and their breaking.
When returning to the circuit, some officers reduced their lap time after the training.
“There will never be a replacement for traditional training methods but we are always looking for innovative ways to supplement the learning of our officers and staff,” said Shaun West.
“If Gran Turismo can help to train world class racing drivers, then we were keen to explore whether it could offer anything to our officers and help expand the way we think about evolving and refreshing our training methods.
“It’s important to emphasise that exploring other methods such as this is not in any way seeking to substitute the rigorous training we already have in place but is simply another way to potentially bolster those existing programmes that our officers undertake.”
Assistant Chief Constable Shaun West
Laurence Wiltshire, managing director of GT Academy said: “GT Academy has proven that the skills learned via Gran Turismo directly transfer from the virtual track on to there alone.
“This is thanks to the incredibly accurate simulation of the tracks but more importantly the simulation of the cars, their physics and how they handle.
“GT Sport is the best in the series history and, with the addition of VR mode, offers the most realistic driving simulation yet.
“It’s one thing to train racing drivers but the idea that a game could help officers respond to emergencies more efficiently is mind-blowing.”
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Palm oil which can be fatally toxic to dogs was found on Cleethorpes beach behind Thorpe Park on Thursday.
At least three large lumps of the substance washed up on the beach.
Cleethorpes Beach safety team said on Friday, March 5 that it has since had reports of possible palm oil in different spots along the whole beach.
Palm oil can be fatally toxic to dogs. | Photo: Cleethorpes Beach Safety
The team will be out checkin on Friday and removing any that it finds, so people are being advise to be extra cautious.
In a video about the discovery resort manager Scott Snowden said the palm oil can be hazardous to dogs if ingested, so they need to be kept on leads.
He added that anyone finding any palm oil must not touch it and needs to ring the resort office on 01472 323356 or contact the Facebook page.
HM Coastguard Donna Nook Rescue Team added: “It’s not unusual for anything washed up on the beach at Cleethorpes to be present further down the coast too. Please report any sightings to the coastguard.”
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “We’d ask dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on leads while walking along Cleethorpes beach after palm oil has washed up on the sand. While not dangerous to humans, it can be toxic to dogs.
“Palm oil can become contaminated with fuel waste and other toxins and, in solid form, can be extremely harmful to dogs and wildlife. When washed up on shorelines, the waxy white substance can lead to boulder-sized chunks emitting a smell of diesel which is attractive to animals.
“If you spot something you believe to be palm oil, please contact the beach safety team on 01472 323356 who will immediately collect and dispose of it properly.
“If owners suspect their pet has eaten the oil, they are advised to contact a vet immediately.”
Executive member Nick Worth will not be standing for re-election to Lincolnshire County Council in May.
He says the time has come to step down from his role on the authority, but will continue as a South Holland District Council member for at least another two years.
Cllr Worth, 63, has responsibility at the county council for culture and emergency services.
Serving 12 years as the Conservative member for Holbeach including a rollercoaster eight years on the executive – with among other things overseeing the controversial issue of handing over the running of libraries to communities – has been a “tough but enjoyable” period.
“Ironically, I decided not to stand again about 18 months ago, before lockdown,” said Cllr Worth. “With the portfolio for leisure, culture and fire and rescue, I was covering a large amount of the county – quite often in excess of 20,000 miles a year. I actually got tired of it.
“Since lockdown, I’ve probably done about 2,000 miles maximum.”
That reduction in travel and having more time at home in Holbeach St Marks has only served to underline the decision he made known to county council leader Martin Hill a year-and-a-half ago.
Naturally, the leader wanted one of his most hard-working and respected colleagues to continue, but Cllr Worth had made up his mind.
“I also felt that sometimes you can go on too long. It’s easy to say ‘I’ll stand for another four years’,” he added.
Cllr Worth said he has enjoyed his time on the executive, but the libraries saga – including a dogged fight with campaigners against the move and the county council twice having to go to the High Court to defend its actions – had been a particularly difficult challenge.
“I’m quite proud of what we achieved in the end,” he said, also pointing to the revamp of Lincoln Castle and new appliances for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as two other satisfying achievements.
“Locally, the big thing which I’m really pleased about – and one of the issues I came on to the council for – is getting the roundabout at Peppermint Junction. That was a real coup for me.
“And that all led on to [the establishment of] the Food Enterprise Zone. It’s had national recognition and is looking like a world-class facility.”
He added: “I shall miss being on the county council because it’s a real challenge. It’s much more strategic, looking at a bigger picture and much bigger numbers – scarily so in fact.
“One of the biggest challenges of having a cultural portfolio is constantly fighting for money after adult social care, children’s service and highways.
“Two years ago the culture portfolio was set the target of breaking even over four to five years. It was a massive challenge with savings in excess of £1.5m, but credit to the staff to get to the point where we think we can do it.”
He says he is proud to have flown the flag for the south of the county as it is a constant fight to get things away from being “Lincoln-centric”.
As for the future, his decision to leave the county council has been made easier knowing that there is someone “younger, very efficient and enthusiastic” looking to keep the seat for the Tories.
Fellow district councillor Tracey Carter has confirmed that she will be standing.
Meanwhile, Cllr Worth will complete 21 years as a Holbeach member on the district council when the elections come round again in 2023. The deputy leader will make a decision then on whether to stand for re-election again.
In the meantime he’s looking forward to spending more time with his partner Sally Horne and arranging the annual Holbeach Food Festival at Carter’s Park, which this year is scheduled for September 4 and 5.
A Skegness-based artisan cheese company launched a new luxury truffle infused cheddar on Friday.
The Chuckling Cheese Co’s latest product is available to buy online from March 5, as well as in six shopping centres across the country once they are allowed to reopen again on April 12. This includes Hildreds Shopping Centre in Skegness.
The new truffle infused cheddar is described as heady, with earthy aromas, sweet and buttery, musky and with a semi-firm texture.
The firm’s most luxurious cheese is now available to buy individually with 150g of Truffle Infused Cheddar Cheese priced at £4.50 a truckle, or on offer at 3 for £12 and 6 for £20.
It can also be purchased within many of the company’s hampers, including in the build your own Truckle Gift Box costing £15.
The truffle infused cheddar is the company’s most luxurious cheese yet. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Chuckling Cheese Co was founded in 2012 by Emma and Stuart Colclough and offers over 30 flavours of cheddar cheeses.
It also sells a wide range of other artisan products, including chilli jams, chutneys, biscuits, giant meringues, craft beers, gins, vegan and gluten free products, and a large selection of build your own and ready-made gift hampers.
Company director Emma Colclough said: “We are super excited about launching such a luxurious cheese, we think it could be one of the tastiest cheddars yet.
“Not only are we bringing out this new cheese flavour we have got lots more products lined up for this year.
“We look forward to hearing the reviews from our customers and would like to thank them for helping us get through this pandemic.”
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