The acting town mayor of North Hykeham has called on Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle anti-social behaviour, including boy racers, as the problem continues to plague the area.
The car park at Memorial Hall was closed last month after “increasing problems regarding drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, littering, irresponsible dog walkers, fly tipping, planned car meets, and ‘boy racers’ causing more damage”.
Councillor Bob Jackling wrote to Lincolnshire’s PCC Marc Jones on June 29 to raise the issue on behalf of all the town councillors about the “degenerating situation within North Hykeham regarding anti-social behaviour in and around our public places”.
The council has seen a “logarithmic scale rise in unacceptable behaviours” and the letter states: “Our open spaces and public facilities are being overwhelmed by a tide of rubbish, unsanitary practices, drug taking, nuisance, graffiti and lawlessness and our roads are plagued by speeding drivers and noise nuisance from individuals who feel it is their right to modify vehicles to an extent that they emit sounds that would exceed Formula 1 events, not something proper to suburban and estate roads.”
Staff at Memorial Hall said the ongoing problem is very frustrating.
The council has had acknowledgement of receipt of the letter and has increased its litter picking and inspections of the local open spaces.
In a statement issued to The Lincolnite, Marc Jones said: “I’m always keen to hear from the community about issues they are facing and keen to work with appropriate partner agencies to find solutions where possible.
“I had, ahead of receiving Mr Jackling’s letter already spoken to the local MP and the Leader of the district council to understand the issues and sought assurance from the force that an appropriate response would be provided to support the community.
“It is clearly a matter for the chief constable to decide what that response should be and how to deploy resources to meet the full range of operational demands placed upon the force as a whole.
“It must be said that North Hykeham is a very safe and desirable place to live and work and I would not wish to see an over exuberance of language lead to the falsehood that the area has become ’lawless’ which is quite simple not the case.
“There are always going to be societal challenges for communities to resolve and I have every confidence that working together more can be done to keep us all safer together.”
North Hykeham Town Council sent this letter to Lincolnshire’s PCC Marc Jones.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said last month that they received several reports of people on the field by Memorial Hall. A man was arrested and released under investigation, while the force continued to patrol the field by the hall.
Councillor Steve Clegg, of North Kesteven District Council, said that a dispersal over is in place across North Hykeham’s park, along with regular patrols, enhanced enforcement and increased litter collection in parks and open spaces.
He said: “Councillors and officers of the town and district councils are working closely in partnership with the police to address the escalation of such incidents which are causing distress across North Hykeham.
“It is important to see this situation in the context of an increased problem not only locally, but across the county and the entire country and I implore everyone involved to show more respect and consideration for the residents living nearby and others wanting to use these open spaces for their lawful relaxation and recreation.”
He added that arrests have been made and undercover police operations are taking place in relation to concerns over drug dealing. Drones are also being used for monitoring and to capture evidence.
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Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “In Lincoln, we are very fortunate to have some incredible parks and green spaces, with Hartsholme Country Park being a much-loved spot for families and visitors.
“The park has been especially popular over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, being a haven for residents to enjoy outdoor spaces close to their homes.
“I would urge anyone to help us crown this fabulous park as one of the UK’s favourites.”
Once voting has closed on 18 August, the one park with the highest number of votes in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland will be shortlisted.
The overall winner of UK’s Favourite Parks 2022 will be revealed in late-August.
Works to make the A52 Somerby Hill roundabout larger, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, are now finished.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “People in and around Grantham will be very happy to know that the A52 Somerby Hill roundabout is now fully back open without any traffic management.
“Over the past eleven months, the team has worked tirelessly to make the roundabout larger as part of the relief road project. Not only did this include fully rebuilding sections of the roundabout, but the team also installed new drainage, street lighting and kerbs here.
“Moving forward, the team will be installing four sets of bridge piers and preparing a planning amendment for the new River Witham/East Coast Main Line bridge. We’ll also be focusing on completing the section of new road to the east, between the new mid-route development and Somerby Hill roundabouts.
“I want to thank everyone for bearing with us while we upgraded the roundabout and for your patience moving forward as continue building your new Grantham Southern Relief Road.”
The Grantham Southern Relief Road project is being led by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by South Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Highways England, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Homes England and local businesses.
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