January 24, 2019 3.36 pm This story is over 62 months old

Police cuts to go ahead despite crime increase

The force saw a 12% increase in crime, which is 4% higher than the national average
Police stock image.

Lincolnshire Police cuts will go ahead despite a 12% increase in crime, which is 4% higher than the national average.

A new Office for National Statistics report revealed that sexual offences, possession of weapons and violence are all on the rise in the county.

Nationally the report, which recorded data from September 2017 to 2018, shows that there has been an 8% increase in crime.

Despite the rising figures, the data marks the county as the ‘fifth safest area in the country’.

Lincolnshire Police has attributed the increase to a change in the way they record crimes.

Along with other forces around the country, Lincolnshire now records incidents of stalking, harassment, controlling or coercive behaviour and modern slavery.

Where an offence is disclosed, for example violence, another one of the above offences is also recorded.

Lincolnshire has seen a 12% increase in crime.

Bill Skelly, chief constable for Lincolnshire Police, said: “Worryingly there are some underlying rises in crime across the county.

“The increase in violence is particularly concerning with these incidents typically happening in the night-time economy and being alcohol-fuelled.

“Unfortunately I currently have to plan cuts to our service due to our long-standing funding deficit and that will inevitably mean I can’t deliver everything I wish to.

“I will continue to work hard with the Commissioner Marc Jones and the Government to get a safer funding settlement for Lincolnshire.”