Guy Owen

Lincolnshire Police has launched a campaign to raise awareness about consent when it comes to sex.

They are sending the message that ‘sex without consent is rape.’

The police have teamed up with Rape Crisis, Trust House, Victim Support, Spring Lodge and the University of Lincoln to promote the scheme.

As well as working with the County Council Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership, and as part of the wider #NoMore campaign, the police are engaging on the importance of being 100% clear on sexual consent.

Lincolnshire Police are using a video called Tea and Consent to promote the misconceptions when it comes to consent in sex.

Launching the campaign in Lincoln city centre, Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor said: “What is, and is not consent may seem obvious to many of us but the awful truth is that rape is reported to us every week.

“We are committed to looking after survivors of sexual violence, investigating crimes to a high standard and educating those who could otherwise become perpetrators.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, added: “Consent really is a simple concept and yet misconceptions and myths sadly still exist in some minds. I fully support Lincolnshire Police in this campaign to educate those people who still don’t get it.

“You need to be clear on consent; there is no place for ambiguity, presumption or pressure.”

The old Ruddocks store on Lincoln High Street has been taken over temporarily to provide over 500 needy families with Christmas presents this December.

Volunteers from Bridge Church Lincoln have been working like elves wrapping and delivering Santa sacks to families across Lincolnshire.

Christmas Sacks started ten years ago, but this year has been the biggest year to date, with over 150 people volunteering to help out.

The scheme looks to give donated gifts to families in need and will also provide 330 families with food hampers.

Photo: Guy Owen for The Lincolnite

Sian Wade runs the Community Larder at Bridge Church Lincoln. She told The Lincolnite: “We’ve been running it for the last ten years and this year has been our biggest ever. 501 families will receive sacks this year and 330 families will also receive food hampers.

“Ten years ago we were approached by a group who had lots of donations to give to families in need, so we decided as Bridge Church that we would administrate this project.

“We started off with one children’s centre and now it’s exploded to 40-50 referrers who refer families to our project.

“All the gifts we give out is to people of Lincoln, Gainsborough and some areas in Lincolnshire.

Photo: Guy Owen for The Lincolnite

“The gifts have either been donated or we have been donated cash so that we can buy gifts.

“People have been amazingly generous this year.

“Trees have been donated from Tesco and the Waterside Shopping Centre, and businesses such as Siemens and RAF Waddington have donated lots of gifts.

“We had 150 and 200 people volunteer over the last week to sort and wrap all of the presents.”