Cybercrime on Lincolnshire Police strategic plan hit list

Online crimes are to become a priority for Lincolnshire Police after the launch of a new strategic plan.

The Distinctively Lincolnshire report was launched today (November 21) and looks to explore four key areas in ensuring that the county becomes a safer place, with one of them ensuring people are kept safer online.

The police aim to “prevent and investigate crimes connected to the digital world and maximise engagement with online communities”, as well as focus on domestic violence and sexual assaults.

Talking to The Lincolnite, Chief Constable, Bill Skelly, said: “We have seen growth in the digital space online with things that happen to people and their vulnerabilities, particularly with young people.

Issues with funding

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Bill Skelly. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Bill also mentioned that force does have issue with funding, but is hoping that this can be resolved very soon.

There have been campaigns for more funding for Lincolnshire Police for many years, however the force could receive information in the next few weeks.

“People will be aware we have an issue with funding for Lincolnshire Police and we are hopeful that over the next six months we will see the government stepping in and giving us a fairer deal that we absolutely expect we should get.

“Am I confident? Well we have had the Policing Minister and the Home Secretary here to talk about the work that is going on in Lincolnshire, so we’re certainly on the government’s mind.

“Whether that translates into the cash we’ll have to wait and see.”

Distinctively Lincolnshire

The new document outlines Lincolnshire Police’s commitment to support the Police and Crime Commissioner in the aims of the Police and Crime Plan:

• Community safety and prevention in partnership
• Listening, responding and being accountable
• Protecting and supporting victims and the vulnerable
• Policing that works

Bill Skelly added: “The mission of the force is to empower and involve communities working to prevent and reduce harm.

“I see the role of policing in our county as playing a leading part in making the lives of our public as safe as possible.

“We have been involved in things such as policing and responding to domestic abuse and sexual crime and these areas are the ones we are going to concentrate on.”