Wolds Area Partners Brief

Lincolnshire Police

WOLDS AREA PARTNERS BRIEF

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer East Lindsey

The data referred to throughout this briefing was taken from Lincolnshire Police’s Performance website and makes reference to data up until and including 5th March 2015.

The East Lindsey District has experienced a significant reduction in recorded crime since September 2014 as represented by the graph below. In terms of recorded crime current year to date performance reflects a +0.5% increase, resulting in 33 additional crimes recorded compared with the previous year. The graph demonstrates the seasonal decline in the number of recorded offences. The 5 year trend line forecasts continued reductions in the level of recorded crime.

So how are we doing in East Lindsey…? I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages):

ASB -0.2%, resulting in -6 less offences Violence with Injury -2.0%, resulting in -14 less offences Theft from Vehicle -2.4%, resulting in -6 less offences Shoplifting -6.7%, resulting in -33 less offences Criminal Damage -4.1%, resulting in -43 less offences (This category includes Damage to Dwelling, Other Than Dwelling, Vehicle, Arson & Other) Public Disorder -12.8%, resulting in -29 less offences

Crime category to monitor for East Lindsey: The crime type affecting overall performance for the East Lindsey Area is Violence without Injury, YTD performance is at +19.7% up by 93 offences. Local officers continue to proactively monitor and tackle the issue.

The Wolds (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015) Incorporating: Louth Town, Louth Rural, Horncastle, Wragby, Spilsby, Woodhall Spa, and Coningsby and Tattershall

The 5 year liner trend forecasts continued reductions in the levels of crimes recorded for the Wolds area. Current year to date performance reports a slight increase of +1.0% with 22 additional crimes recorded compared with the previous year.

NB The data set included within the graph is up until 28th February 2015.

There has been a notable decrease in recorded levels of ASB Incidents for the Wolds since July 2014. ASB for the Wold is currently reporting a reduction of -6.8% compared with the previous year to date, resulting in 108 less incidents.

NB The data set included within the graph is up until 28th February 2015.

So how are we doing on the Wolds…? I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): ASB -5.3%, resulting in -77 less offences Violence with Injury -7.3%, resulting in -17 less offences

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer Theft from Vehicle -15.4%, resulting in -22 less offences Shoplifting -28.5%, resulting in -51 less offences Criminal Damage -15.6%, resulting in -70 less offences (This category includes Damage to Dwelling, Other Than Dwelling, Vehicle, Arson & Other) Public Disorder -11.7%, resulting in -9 less offences

Crime category to monitor for the Wolds: The crime type affecting overall performance for the Wolds Area is Violence without Injury, YTD performance is at +43.9% up by 65 offences. Local officers continue to proactively monitor and tackle the issue. The resolution rate for this crime type is currently 53.0% exceeding the target has of 45% resolution rate. With more offenders being brought to justice sends out a clear message that violence is not and will not be tolerated.

Louth Rural (NC54) (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015)

Overall levels of recorded crime for Louth Rural is up 9.0% with an additional 36 crimes recorded compared to the previous year to date.

I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): Theft from Vehicle -9.1% (-3 less offences) Public Disorder -37.5% (-3 less offences) Criminal Damage & Arson -27.4% (-17 less offences) Domestic Burglary -3.6% (-1 less offence)

One crime type affecting overall performance is Theft of Vehicle YTD performance is at +114.3% up by 8 offences.

Louth Town (NC55) (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015)

Overall crime rates in Louth Town is up slightly to 1.1% with 8 additional offence YTD , however this is a reduction compared with January 2015 when overall crime was up to 2.2% with an additional 14 crimes recorded compared with the previous year to date.

I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): Violence with Injury -31.2% (-34 less offences) Burglary -7.9% (-6 less offences) Criminal Damage & Arson -4.7% (-8 less offences) Shoplifting -7.4% (-7 less offences)

The crime type affecting overall performance is Violence without Injury, YTD performance is at +40.0% up by 20 offences. Local officers continue to proactively tackle the issues in and around Louth Town centre. The resolution rate for this crime type is currently 50.7 exceeding the target has of 45% resolution rate. With more offenders being brought to justice sends out a clear message that violence is not and will not be tolerated.

Horncastle (NC56) (Incorporating Wragby) (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015)

Overall levels of recorded crime for Horncastle (incorporating Wragby) is up +8.5% with an additional 28 crimes recorded compared to the previous year to date.

I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): Shoplifting -29.6% (-8 less offences) Criminal Damage & Arson -17.4% (-12 less offences) Vehicle crime -34.1% (-15 less offences)

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer One crime type affecting overall performance is Burglary Other Than Dwelling YTD performance is at +66.7% up by 16 offences. Local officer continue to monitor and pro-actively tackle this issue.

Spilsby (NC57) (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015)

Overall crime rates in Spilsby continue to improve against the YTD comparison with a reduction of -10.7% resulting in -42 fewer victims of crime.

I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): Shoplifting -76.9% (-20 less offences) Burglary Dwelling -7.7% (-2 less offences) Criminal Damage & Arson -34.2% (-25 less offences) Vehicle crime -15.6% (-5 less offences)

Crime type affecting overall performance is Burglary Other Than Dwelling YTD performance is at +50.0% up by 19 offences. Local officer continue to monitor and pro-actively tackle this issue.

Woodhall Spa (NC58) (Incorporating Coningsby & Tattershall) (Data taken from Police Systems on 5th March 2015)

Overall crime rates in Woodhall Spa and surrounding areas continue to improve against the YTD comparison with a reduction of -2.1% resulting in -7 fewer victims of crime.

I am pleased to report reductions in the following crime categories (based on YTD percentages): Violence with Injury -12.9% (- 4 less offences) Shoplifting -63.0% (-17 less offences) Public Disorder -60.0% (-6 less offences) Criminal Damage & Arson -13.9% (-10 less offences)

Crime type affecting overall performance is Burglary Dwelling YTD performance is at +30.0% up by 3 offences. Local officer continue to monitor and pro-actively tackle this issue.

Update from Community Policing Teams

Sgt Lee Willoughby, Louth Community Policing Team Sergeant says; we are working closely with our rural communities, in particular the farming community to increase vigilance and security awareness regarding recent thefts of quad bikes and power tools from outbuildings. This includes not only conventional policing methods but the increased use of social media to help spread the message. We are supporting our colleagues at East Lindsey by working with Christine Yates to try and educate local youths and deter them from congregating near to Tedder Hall following reports of minor damage, anti-social behaviour and intimidation. We have also undertaken similar work in relation to some of the town centre car parks. We have been supporting some of the more vulnerable members of our communities by educating them as to the dangers of cold calling and phone scams trying to get people to part with money over the phone under the Police operation Op Solitude. Looking ahead, we will be focussing our attention as the weather improves towards making sure people secure their outdoor garden equipment such as lawnmowers and items within sheds and outbuildings. We will also be spending more time patrolling the public open spaces as the evenings get lighter to deter ASB.

Message from DS Andy Harwood, Wolds Detective Sergeant, I have returned back to Louth CID after a two year absence. We are currently dealing with a spike in Bank frauds which are fortunately mainly failed attempts. This is part of a National crime affecting a lot of forces where suspects are ringing the elder members of our community pretending to be bank fraud investigators or police officers from The Metropolitan Police. They then persuade them into thinking their account has been compromised by fraudsters and want them to move them to safe accounts. The fraudsters are very convincing and will use technical ways to clone bank fraud hot lines. Or they will keep their line

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer open whilst you speak to your bank. Please do not engage with them and go straight to your local bank or police station, do not believe them. We are also striving to minimise rural crime, working with the farming community. Unfortunately we have seen a few offences on the Wold’s near to Burgh On Bain where farmers buildings have been targeted for quad bikes. Uniform and covert patrols have been increased to catch the offenders. The Wold’s are still a very beautiful and relatively crime free area of the country that my team will be working hard to preserve.

From Sgt Adam Syred, Horncastle Community Policing Team Sergeant; firstly we have a new Sgt who has joined us, Sgt739 Steve Williamson, a transferee with many years’ experience in Neighbourhood Policing who will be an asset to the team. He takes responsibility on the Wolds, Horncastle side, but more specifically Spilsby Beat. We wish him a warm welcome. We have also been joined at Horncastle Police Station by a volunteer, who again we would like to welcome. This is Christina, who will give up several hours each week to work behind the scenes at the police station in an administrative role to support the NPT.

In terms of good news stories following sufficient intelligence to obtain a warrant we have executed a Misuse of Drugs Act Warrant in Horncastle, resulting in the arrest of two persons for Cannabis Cultivation. This has resulted in a large amount of cannabis being seized and destroyed, before being available in the public arena. Following this the persons arrested have been evicted from the premises under existing housing powers. This is a fantastic result…

In Wrabgy there has been some recent ASB involving youths causing problems at a building site. This has resulted in work to identify the individuals concerned and the NPT are currently preparing a restorative justice package for those identified which includes litter picking locally and letters of apologies from those concerned. In Horncastle there have been a number of ASB incidents where again through local knowledge, the team have identified individuals for their behaviour. This has resulted in the youths being interviewed by police with parents and receiving youth cautions. Police and other services are also working with the youths to address their offending behaviour to stop escalation.

There has been a spike in ASB in the Spilsby Town area, a situation that, when it occurs, can spiral quickly with offences being committed. Officers have provided more patrols in the locality and with Response and NPT working together. Two individuals have been arrested for separate incidents (not connected) and having been questioned by police are on bail subject to further enquiries and disposal decisions by CPS. In the Coningsby area following reports of harassment by a member of the local community, the NPT took ownership of the enquiries resultant in the arrest of a suspect. As a result of those enquiries the suspect was subsequently charged with harassment, amongst other offences. Since those charges were laid there have been no further reports of issues from the victim, who felt confident in the police and reassured by police actions.

Update from the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector

As you can clearly see from the data provided by Helen our performance officer that there are some high performing areas and some areas for concern. We try not to knee jerk when things take a turn for the worse, focussing our attention on trends and what is hurting our communities most. My emphasis is on individuals and groups in order to target resources and endeavour to bring them to task and put them in jail. Quite simply, if they commit crime we want them to suffer the consequences and feel the impact the way their victims have to. We are using social media like never before and with reducing resources we need to rely on our communities to work alongside us, provide intelligence and to act as our eyes and ears on the ground. Our communities know who are dealing drugs, selling stolen goods and committing crime. There is no such thing as ‘things dropping of the back of a lorry’ and what seems too good to be true often is. We cannot afford our communities to turn a blind eye, as tomorrow they may be the victim of crime.

I have left the reports from my sergeants in this covering report as you can see independently they see the problems on the area as being similar. This is pleasing and lets me know they are focussed on what matters most.

This will be my last report as my post will be handed over to Inspector Colin Haigh from the 23rd March, who will be the new Wolds Community Policing Inspector. Colin is an experienced operational inspector with many attributes; he has worked in the Force Control Room and is a skilled firearms commander and public order specialist. I will not steal

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer his thunder as I have no doubt in future months he will brief you regarding his vision for the area and how he intends to translate your wishes and needs into his policing response. Colin can be contacted on 101 extensions 4620, Horncastle or Louth 01522947720. I will be retiring from Lincolnshire Police from 30th March so take this opportunity to thank you for working in partnership with me and assisting me in hopefully making the Wolds a safe and good place to live and visit.

Terry Ball Wolds Community Policing Team Inspector

Author: Helen Charity – Policy and Performance Officer