Violent crime and unemployment blamed for nightclub closure

Three organised crime gangs have been taken off North East Lincolnshire’s streets so far this year.

Members of another gang will also soon be sentenced, and are expected to be imprisoned.

This will effectively halve the number of local organised crime gangs (OCGs), which are mainly linked to drug dealing, home burglaries and rogue trading.

In 2018/19, there were five known to be operating in the area.

This rose to eight in both 2019/20 and 2020/21.

However, a report to North East Lincolnshire Council’s Crime Scrutiny Committee has revealed that several groups have been successfully disrupted or prosecuted since March.

It also sheds light on a huge crackdown on crime which Humberside Police carried out while the country was under Covid-19 lockdown.

A period of intense action saw 1,172 arrests and 537 warrants executed force-wide for offences relating to drugs, robbery, burglary, sexual offences, and theft.

Drugs with a street value of £9,715,195 were successfully seized.

During lockdown last year, offences dropped by 14% in North East Lincolnshire.

There were 17,524 reported in 2020/21, compared to 20,370 the year before.

Vehicle offences were down 50% as people were told to stay at home, and robberies, burglaries and thefts were also down by around 40%.

Three offences which did rise over lockdown were anti-social behaviour, drug-related offences and domestic abuse crimes.

The East Marsh became the hotspot for anti-social behaviour, overtaking the West Marsh as shopping centres and pubs closed.

Police anticipate that figures are likely to increase again over the coming months.

“As eased lockdown restrictions continue, overall crime figures are expected to rise again in line with previous trends,” the report says.

“As we enter the recovery phase of the pandemic we will focus our resources into protecting our communities from the most serious and prevalent crime, and support our most vulnerable communities.”

It’s nearly time for entrants to pull out their running shoes as the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k returns this Sunday, but there will be some disruption due to road closures in place for the event.

The race starting on Riseholme Road attracts thousands of runners every year. This year’s race begins at 10am on October 31 for both seasoned runners and also fancy-dressed fundraisers and beginners looking for fun.

Run For All is working in partnership with city of Lincoln Council to deliver the event. The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 4pm on October 30 and the same time on the day of the event.

Road closures for the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k.

See the full road closure list here

Route map

The route map for the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k.

Event timings

7am – Event car parks open

9am – Race office opens

9.45am – Baggage store truck leaves and relocates to event village. The race warm up is also at this time

10am – City of Lincoln 10k begins

10.30am – The winner is expected to finish by this time

There will also be a team of pacers on the day. They will be pacing at five-minute intervals between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours.

Event facilities

• The Race office is located in Yarborough Leisure Centre car park and will be open between 12pm-3pm on Saturday and from 9am on Sunday
• Baggage store – You can drop your baggage here at the Yarborough Leisure Centre car park before 10.40am. After the run, you can collect your baggage from the store in Westgate car park opposite the event village
• Drink stations – bottled water is available on the course and at the finish. Competitors are advised to ensure that they consider the effects of dehydration
• Support & entertainment – a variety of performers will be on hand to keep you motivated around the course
• Charity village – The Asda Foundation City of Lincoln 10k is partnered to several local and national charities. The painter charities will be on hand to meet and greet the runners, as well as raising awareness of their work
• First aid – personnel will be on hand to help at regular intervals on the course with fixed first aid stations located near to the water stations. In addition, there will be a first aid unit and recovery area located near to the finish
• Food and drink – there are a number of bars and cafes in the area that will be sure to welcome spectators and participants
• Parking – information regarding parking can be found here

A former tourist information office at Lincoln Bus Station – used to serve takeaway from the coffee shop next door during the pandemic – will become a watch repair shop.

Shaun Redfearn, who currently runs Full Circle Books at Lincoln’s Central Market, is one of the retailers having to leave the building as part of the City of Lincoln Council’s plans to refurbish the facilities.

Instead, he will be looking to reopen in the now-defunct information office at the bus station as The Watchman, supplying watch batteries, straps and other accessories.

Mr Redfearn said he had “come to terms” with having to leave the market, but said about the move: “I’m looking forward to it.”

An application has been made to the City of Lincoln Council for a change of use.

The booth which Mr Redfearn will be moving in to. An informative sign in the background has “Information” blocked out by tape. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

During the pandemic the Grand Coffee House, which is situated next door, used the booth to sell take-away food and drink.

The information centre was opened inside the newly-built bus station in 2018 following a £3million investment in a new Transport Hub for the city.

It was originally staffed by members of the council’s customer services team. A spokesman for the authority, however, said it was only ever intended to be a short-term introduction to the bus station.

How the booth looked when the bus station first opened. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The council spokesman said: “The reception desk was something we incorporated into the bus station when it first opened.

“It was intended to be used for a limited time period to issue bus passes, answer queries and deal with customer enquiries about council services.

“The desk closed at the beginning of 2020 and we are delighted to have found a tenant who we believe will provide a useful service and prove to be a positive addition to the bus station.”