Lincolnshire Police will crack down on drink and drug driving as pubs prepare to reopen their doors this weekend for the first time since lockdown began in March.
Police said they will have extra patrols on at key times and will specifically be “seeking out anyone driving whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs”. Anyone found guilty of drink or drug driving could face a prison sentence, a ban from driving and a fine.
Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are urging anyone heading out to make sure they have a plan to get home safely.
Inspector Marc Gee said: “Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your judgement and ability to drive safely.
“You will be endangering the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well as your own. Aside from the greatly increased risk of causing a collision, being caught drink or drug driving has consequences including a criminal record and a heavy fine.
“We have extra patrols on at key times in response to the pubs reopening and we will specifically be seeking out anyone driving whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.
“The reopening of pubs might feel like a new freedom to be celebrating, but that would be very short lived if you are arrested for causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving.”
Lincoln Centre Police is urging people to ‘take it easy’.
John Siddle, of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “Drivers may see the reopening of pubs this weekend as an opportunity to get back to some sort of normal, go out and enjoy the company of friends, celebrate being back in their local pub.
“We would ask anyone tempted to drive, knowing that they will drink too much to think again. We know you would rather not use public transport or get a taxi.
“What we would say is if you can’t drink less than the legal limit to drive or find a way to celebrate safely without putting yourself or others at risk on the road, then stay at home. One incident of drinking and driving may alter your life, or at worst case, may end someone’s life.”
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A 48-year-old man who police believe is now living in Leicestershire is wanted over an indecent images offence that happened in Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for information to help locate Darryl Faulkner, who has a tattoo on his neck.
He is wanted in relation to a disclosure of private sexual images offence.
Anyone who has seen him or has any information regarding his whereabouts should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting reference 21000020888.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.
The Prime Minister said “itwillnotbepossibletoreopenschools after the Februaryhalfterm,” with the hope to bring pupils back from March 8.
Boris Johnson also told MPs that UK nationals and residents returning from “red list” countries will be placed in a 10-day quarantine in government-secured accommodation, such as hotels.
He explained in the House of Commons on Wednesday: “Ouraimwillbetostartagradualphasedapproachtowardseasingtherestrictionsinasustainablewayguidedbytheprincipleswe’veobservedthroughoutthepandemic,beginningwiththemostimportantprincipleofallthatreopeningschoolsmustbeanationalpriority.”
He added: “Itwillnotbepossibletoreopenschools after the Februaryhalfterm.”
This comes after COVID-19 deaths surpassed 100,000 on Tuesday.
Mr Johnson also outlined new measures for travellers to the UK.
He said: “Icanannouncethatwewillrequireallsucharrivalswhocannotberefusedentrytoisolateingovernmentprovidedaccommodation,suchashotelsfor10dayswithoutexception,theywillbemetattheairportandtransporteddirectlyintoquarantine.TheDepartmentofHealthCareisworkingtoestablishfacilitiesasquicklyaspossible.”
Study Group’s International Study Centre at the University of Lincoln will close this summer, with formal redundancy proceedings understood to have begun.
Study Group is an external provider who specialises in pre-degree and pre-masters programmes to support students coming to the UK to study.
Brighton-based Study Group, has been in partnership with the university since 2010, but the contract is ending and is not being renewed so the centre will close on August 31, 2021.
The option was given by the university, who are working on offering alternative provision, to go through a tendering process and this was not taken up by Study Group.
It is understood that formal redundancy proceedings will affect around 15 to 20 Study Group employees.
However, Study Group did not provide an answer when questioned about the number of employees or the redundancy process. Instead, it said it is working with staff directly to discuss their roles and next steps.
The centre currently teaches the international year one programmes in business and management, engineering, computer science and media. There is also teaching for international foundation years.
The closure will mean the Lincoln ISC’s last student intake was in January 2021 and any due to start in September will be offered alternative provision.
The Lincoln centre will close only once current students have completed their pathway programme by August 31.
A spokesperson for Study Group said: “We appreciate that this news may be unsettling to our current cohort of international students studying at the Lincoln ISC.
“However, we would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that this news will have no impact on current students studying at the Lincoln ISC.
“We will continue to deliver our pathway programmes at the Lincoln ISC in the same way, supporting current students to achieve their education goals and progress to the university programme of their choice at the University of Lincoln.
“Study Group is working with staff directly to discuss their roles and next steps considering the Lincoln ISC closure. We would like to thank our staff for their exceptional commitment and unwavering professionalism and support at this time.”
A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “The university is planning to develop its own internal suite of preparatory programmes to enable it to be more flexible to the needs of international students and to manage the quality of teaching and learning.”