Concerns over rural crimes

Police Roadshow at Sainburys car park with Police Commissioner and Depty Commissioner. Malakie Wyle 8 with PC Louise Ramsay. EMN-160829-124322001

Mr Jones was joined by local officers to answer questions from residents in a public engagement session at Sleaford’s Sainsbury’s store on Thursday.

Temporary Superintendent Paul Timmins and Chief Superintendent Shaun West from Lincolnshire Police also met with the public at the session.

Mr Jones said: “The idea of the sessions is to give the public a chance to ask questions and connect with their local policing teams.

Police Roadshow at Sainburys car park with Police Commissioner and Depty Commissioner. L-R Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, Deputy Police and Crimes Commissioner Stuart Tweedale. EMN-160829-124339001

“The main issue people talked about is rural crime and they were keen to talk about neighbourhood policing and what the future holds for Lincolnshire’s smaller communities and not just the larger towns.

“One of the main issues in rural crime at the moment is that the hare coursing season is about to start. We are launching Operation Galileo in September to tackle that head on.

“We’re working with police across Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. It is working effectively to share our intelligence across the forces.

“Another ongoing issue for people is speeding traffic in rural areas.”

He added: “The general reception from people at the session was good and well attended. We had the police cars there which children could have a look at, and try on police helmets and ask about the uniforms. We want to get across the message that the police are approachable.

“We also had a car there from the Nottinghamshire force.

“People wanted to come and talk to us to find out what is going on in the area.

“There weren’t any particular issues that came up regarding Sleaford. North Kesteven is the safest district in the country and people feel safe living here from a crime point of view.

“The feeling was that the police are doing a good job but funding is still an issue.

“What we feel is that we get the cheapest amount in the country for funding - just 42 pence per day per citizen for policing, whereas Devon and Cornwall, for example, get double that. We are asking the Government to review the funding.

“Taking it up to 44p per day - just an extra 2p will make a difference.”