May 17, 2019 1.17 pm This story is over 64 months old

Rise in violent and sexual offence reporting sparks call for intervention

The centre teaches those with special education, mental or physical needs

One incident of violent and sexual offences was reported for every day in February this year in some parts of South Kesteven, sparking calls for more funding and officers.

Deeping St James Independent councillor Phil Dilks will tell fellow members in full council next Thursday that he has “serious concerns about rising crime in [his] ward and across South Kesteven at the same time as police officer and PCSO numbers are in the process of being cut throughout Lincolnshire”.

In a motion, he calls for the chief executive to lobby for “urgent intervention” and a scrutiny agenda to be carried out on “Local Crime Statistics and Police Funding”.

South Kesteven District Councillor Phil Dilks. Photo: SKDC

As part of that he wants witnesses to be and evidence to be scrutinised as appropriate.

In the motion he says that 2018 saw a 69% rise in the numbers of violent and sexual offences from 135 to 229.

“The increase became even more worrying in January this year which saw another big rise, followed by an even bigger rise in February (the most recent figures available),” he says.

“In my ward of Deeping St James and my neighbouring ward of Market and West Deeping, the official police figures show there were three violent and sexual offences reported in February last year.”

Mr Dilks goes on to say that services have been “cut to the bone nationally” with Lincolnshire suffering a “historically low and unfair Government funding formula.”

Police officers have been cut by 150 since 2010, with potential future losses of 103 roles still predicted despite a rise in the forces council tax precept of 11% – £23.94 for a Band D property.

At the time of the rise, Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones confirmed that by 2022/23 the force is set to target a workforce of 1,100 officers.

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