All frontline police officers across Lincolnshire have been told not to take a holiday during the Brexit deadline week as the force prepares for possible fallout.
Operation Yellowhammer, a leaked government report into no-deal Brexit preparations, expects food and fuel shortages, as well as protests and counter-protests, with police time majorly devoted to handling “community tensions” that might happen.
With the current political situation in flux, it’s unclear whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be able to secure a new deal with the EU, or whether Parliament, due to return on Wednesday, will approve a deal — or whether an extension will be needed until January 31, 2020.
Currently, Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Bill Skelly is on annual leave for several weeks.
Temporary Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, Jason Harwin
Temporary Chief Constable Jason Harwin said: “Here in Lincolnshire Police, as in many other forces throughout England and Wales, we have made detailed plans ready for if Britain leaves the European Union on October 31.
“These plans prepare for a number of contingencies and, as ever in policing, are based on a number of possible scenarios and are assessed around possible threat and risk.
“We prepare for everything because to not do so would be doing a disservice to the people of Lincolnshire.
“A request has been made of frontline officers to not take any leave during the week that we are due to leave the European Union.
“This is simply a precaution should extra resources be needed and is an action that we take relatively often in times of predicted high demand, for example.”
Temporary promotion for officer with driving conviction under investigation for misconduct
Temporary Chief Constable Jason Harwin added: “Unrelated, Chief Constable Bill Skelly is currently on annual leave, which was planned some time ago, and will return in mid-October.
“I am acting as Chief Constable in his absence, and Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson is acting as my Deputy Chief Constable.”
However, not all officers within the force are happy with the temporary promotion of ACC Wilson, who was convicted for driving without due care and attention in August this year after a crash near the force’s HQ in December 2018.
Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson has been temporarily promoted to Deputy Chief Constable
The Assistant Chief Constable was due to attend a driver improvement course in June but was refused at the door when she turned up ten minutes late.
She didn’t show up for the court hearing either, but sent a legal representative instead.
Kerrin Wilson was given seven points on her license and fined a total of £1,460, including a £125 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Wilson is still being investigated for misconduct, which was downgraded from gross misconduct earlier this year.
The whistleblower within Lincolnshire Police told The Lincolnite they found this “particularly awful” as the Deputy Chief Constable is the senior officer in charge of discipline, making decisions on the fate of other officers.
Lincolnshire Police added in a statement: “After the criminal investigation relating to ACC Wilson’s motoring offence concluded, a misconduct investigation was initiated, which is standard practice, and is still being carried out by Derbyshire Police.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of that investigation until its conclusion.
“There is nothing in police regulations to preclude a temporary promotion under these circumstances.
“A temporary command structure has been thoroughly considered by all chief officers and is currently in place during Chief Constable Bill Skelly’s absence on annual leave.”
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: