July 27, 2018 10.22 am This story is over 67 months old

Public pressure achieves police drugs crackdown

Multiple arrests have been made in the city

Several arrests have been made by police this week after The Lincolnite highlighted the extent of the drugs and anti-social behaviour problem in Lincoln.

Lincolnshire Police admitted they were struggling to keep up with demand caused by the problem, but Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones promised to commit more officers to the city.

Here is the latest police action:

  • Two people were arrested in Lincoln City Centre on suspicion of drugs offences and are currently in custody. Two men, aged 26 and 31, from the Lincoln area were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.  They have since been released under investigation.
  • Sharon Coleman, 38, and Jason Smith, 44, both of no fixed address, were arrested on High Street on July 25 and charged with breaching a dispersal order in Lincoln. They have been bailed to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court in August.
  • Andrew Atkin, 29, of Monks Road in Lincoln, was initially arrested on Wednesday, July 25 following reports of drug taking in Clasketgate.  He has now been charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour and will appear in court on August 24.
  • Paul Bradley, 34, was charged with possession of a Class A drug after being arrested in Lincoln on Saturday, 21.
  • A 36-year-0ld Lincoln man was also arrested in the city on the same day on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs.
  • Local teenager Declan Reece Massingham, 19, was arrested at St Swithin’s Square on July 18 and charged with multiple drugs offences.
  • Two men are due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 27 charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.
  • Anthony Kimani, 23, of Honeysuckle Court, Woodston, Peterborough, was also charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. Louis Holden, 20, of no fixed address, was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon. They were arrested following a police pursuit through Lincoln City Centre on Wednesday, July 25.
  • In a separate incident three men – aged 20, 22 and 29 – and an 18-year-old woman were arrested on July 26 on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.
Inspector Simon Outen said: “As part of the continuing police activity in Lincoln city centre concerning the use of drugs, officers on patrol have stopped two individuals under the influence of a substance.“Consequently two males were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and a quantity of an unknown substance recovered.

“Enquiries remain ongoing whilst the substance is sent for testing to establish exactly what it contains.

“Lincolnshire Police remain determined in their efforts to deal robustly with this issue and continue to encourage calls to the police regarding any activity relating to drugs and drug taking.”

Police said the arrests resulted from ‘proactive policing in the city centre following issues reported relating to the use of drugs’.

Council action

City of Lincoln Council Leader Ric Metcalfe admitted its powers are “limited” and more funding is needed to tackle the issue.

City of Lincoln Council will spend £61,000 to fund an ‘intervention team’ to tackle the city centre’s anti-social behaviour and drug addiction problems.

The team will be based at City Hall once it is launched this Autumn and will focus on outreach and enforcement.

How you can help?

With the visible rise in the number of people openly taking drugs in Lincoln City Centre, The Lincolnite put together a guide with advice from the police and ambulance services of what to do if you spot someone on so-called spice.