Five cars and two business premises have been damaged in the early hours of Sunday, August 24, off Dixon Street in Lincoln.

A Citroen C3, a Ford Focus, a Renault Kangoo, a Toyota Yaris, and a Vauxhall Astra that were parked on Dixon Way all had windows smashed.

A carpet centre and car wash on the same road also had some windows and doors smashed.

The incidents were reported to police on the morning of Sunday 24th August and are believed to have happened in the early hours of that morning.

Officers investigating the incidents, which are being treated as criminal damage, would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything or anyone suspicious in the area around the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 113 of 24/08/2014. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A Lincoln takeaway driver has been robbed of the food he was meant to deliver in Birchwood.

At around 9.45pm on Thursday, August 28, a 19-year-old Indian restaurant delivery driver at an address on Camwood Crescent in Lincoln with a food order.

Once outside the address, he was threatened by a group of three men who demanded he hand the food over to them. The driver gave them the food and left. He was not injured in the incident.

Police officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at the time.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 458 of 28/08/2014. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A local man has been jailed for 18 months for making and possessing indecent images of children in Lincoln.

Ntinos Mikellides, 40, of Carlton Heights in Nottingham, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on September 1, after pleading guilty to all nine offences of making indecent photographs and films of children, and three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children.

The offences took place in Lincoln on numerous dates between March 2010 and October 2013.

Mikellides, who was training to be a primary school teacher, was arrested on October 25 last year at his home in Mill Lane in Lincoln, after Lincolnshire Police received information that a computer at the address may have been accessing child pornography sharing sites and downloading images from them.

When officers entered the premises they found Mikellides in his bedroom with a computer that was turned on and downloading indecent images of children at the time.

Investigators seized and examined the hard drive of Mikellides’s computer and found that a total of 94,438 indecent images of children had been accessible.

A report from a forensic investigator revealed that they had been categorised by the names of children, their nationalities, and their activities.

DS Vicky Midgeley of Lincolnshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) said after the conclusion of the court case: “I am incredibly pleased with the sentence handed to Mikellides, which reflects the seriousness of his crimes.

“The amount and range of images he had on his computer and available to him was both horrifying and astounding.

“He claimed in interview that he essentially stumbled across these sites while looking for sexually explicit content but it was clear from his continued use of them that he got sexual gratification from them.

“We want others who may use and share indecent images of children on these sites to know that just because they are behind closed doors does not mean we will not find them.

“We will do everything in our power to identify them and see them answerable before the courts. We will also continue to work with partner agencies to identify any children who feature in these photographs and films to try to get them to a position of safety.

“Children are being systematically exploited by adults in this type of indecent content and we will continue trying to find those who access it and put a stop to it because the less demand there is, the less supply we hope there will be.”

Eight burglaries were reported in Lincoln between Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 29 – and four were due to forced entry.

Lincolnshire Police published details of the incidents as part of their Help Yourself campaign, which highlights to residents the importance of securing homes.

Of the incidents reported between 10.50am on August 21 and 2.44pm on August 29, three were due to properties being left insecure.

Items stolen included televisions, musical instruments and a bicycle.

The incidents were:

• South Park, Lincoln – Possible insecurity
• Householder found front door unlocked in the morning and unsure if it had been locked overnight. Burglary is believed to have happened overnight on Thursday, August 21 into Friday, August 22. A £400 bike was stolen. Incident 57 of 22/08/14
• Steep Hill, Lincoln – Forced entry
• Forced entry gained via a rear ground floor window. Two guitars and an amplifier were stolen. Incident 122 of 22/08/14
• Market Place, Lincoln – Forced entry
• Rear ground floor window smashed to gain entry. A television was stolen by offenders. Incident 94 of 23/08/14
• Newland Street West, Lincoln – Insecurity
• Entry believed to have been gained via an insecure ground floor window. A Playstation console and three games were stolen from inside. Incident 313 of 24/08/14
• Yarborough Road, Lincoln – Insecurity
• Believed to have happened overnight on Tuesday, August 26 after offender or offenders gained entry via an insecure rear doors. A television and tobacco were stolen. Incident 76 of 26/08/14
• Sidney Street, Lincoln – Insecurity
• Access gained via an insecure back door, thought to have happened sometime between 6am and noon on Tuesday, August 26. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles taken. Incident 340 of 26/08/14
• Unity Square, Lincoln – Forced entry
• Entry gained by smashing a first floor window sometime between 4pm on Tuesday, August 26 and 9am on Wednesday, August 27. A 42” flat screen television was stolen. Incident 102 of 27/08/14
• North Parade, Lincoln – Forced entry
• Access gained by forcing front door. Unknown at exactly what time the burglary might have occurred but thought to have been sometime between Friday August, 22 and Wednesday, August 27. A television, a CD player, and clothing were stolen. Incident 252 of 28/08/14

Lincolnshire Police would like to talk to a man and woman after they reportedly ‘confused’ a Lincoln shop worker before walking away with £90 in cash.

Officers are investigating the reported theft from the Grapevine off licence on Burton Road.

The man and woman entered the shop at around 8pm on Thursday, July 10.

They proceeded to confuse an employee at the shop by asking for a large amount of money to be changed into different denominations before walking away with £90 in cash.

Officers would like to identify the two people pictures to see if they can assist with the investigation.

Anyone who knows the people pictures is being asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 424 of 10/07/2014.

Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

British Transport Police have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to speak to in connection with the theft of £600 from a Lincoln man’s bag, which he left on a train.

A 62-year-old man from Lincoln had been travelling on the 1.43pm Manchester Piccadilly to Peterborough service with his wife on Saturday, July 26.

He boarded the service at Manchester wearing the bag around his waist which contained £600, three 500 Hong Kong Dollar notes, a mobile phone and credit cards.

When the train arrived into Grantham the couple changed seats.

On arrival into Peterborough they realised the bag was missing and raised the alarm with station staff who contacted Grantham station.

PC Helen Green investigating for BTP said: “After reviewing CCTV a group of three women spot the bag on the seat, one of them picks it up before they all leave the train at Grantham.

“One member of the group then removes the £600 from the bag and hands it back in to staff at Grantham station.

“I would like to speak to the woman pictured, as I believe she may have important information regarding this incident.

“If anyone recognises her please contact British Transport Police.”

Anyone with information on this incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or by text, on 61016, quoting reference PSUB/B5 of 3/9/2014.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A 23-year-old Lincoln man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary after a number of outbuildings were targeted in Welton.

Overnight on Tuesday, September 2 and into Wednesday, September 3 five garages were broken into in various addresses in the village near Lincoln.

Lincolnshire Police are advising Welton residents to double-check any outbuildings such as sheds or garages to make sure they have not been broken into, or an attempt made, and to ensure no items are missing.

The Lincoln man, arrested on suspicion of burglary, has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone wishing to report an incident is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 25 of 03/09/14 and related.

A 45-year-old Lincoln man who was walking along Lincoln High Street has been hospitalised after he was hit by a car.

The man was walking near to the Argos store at around 10.52am on Thursday, September 4 before he was hit by an oncoming silver Nissan Almera.

Emergency services attended the scene and the man was taken to Lincoln County Hospital.

He is suspected to have suffered a broken nose and a fractured cheek bone as well as multiple cuts and bruises.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 122 of September 4.

A Lincoln woman is appealing for information after her laptop, containing treasured photographs of her late daughter, was taken during a burglary at her home.

The laptop contained the only photographs she has of her daughter, who died three years ago.

The burglary occurred at her home in Foss Street, Lincoln, sometime between 7.30am and 2.45pm on Wednesday, September 3.

The laptop is a standard black Acer model with a white keyboard.

It is believed that an offender or offenders entered the property by forcing a ground floor window at the rear of the house.

Another laptop was also stolen, as well as an iPod, a wallet, and a quantity of jewellery.

PC Nial Evans, of Lincoln CID, is investigating the incident and said: “Any burglary is often traumatic for the victim involved and this one is particularly upsetting because of the sentimental value of what has been taken.

“The lady involved is distraught that the pictures of her daughter have been taken.

“I would like to reach out to anyone who knows anyone who might have carried out this offence or who knows where the stolen property is so we can make sure it is returned to this lady.”

Anyone with information about this burglary should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 276 of September 3.

Police are appealing for information after a distinctive garden furniture set, including a pink bench, was stolen from a Lincoln garden.

The furniture was stolen from a back garden on Hillside Avenue, Lincoln some time between August 31 and September 3.

An offender or offenders gained access to the garden through a rear gate which is accessed via a cycle path in the area.

A garden table, four chairs and a bench were stolen.

The bench that was taken, which has great sentimental value to the owner, was painted fuchsia pink and had a central divider on the seat that separated it into two seats.

If anyone has been offered the bench for sale or has any information about the incident or any of the items stolen they are asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 121 of September 3.

Alternatively people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Disorder broke out at the Morton Hall immigration removal centre near Lincoln following the death of a man at the facility.

An investigation has been launched after the man, a detainee at Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre in Swinderby, died on Friday, September 5.

Morton Hall is a centre holding male detainees over the age of 18 and is run on behalf of the UK Border Agency.

Reportedly some 300 inmates are without food and refusing to obey orders on Saturday.

Staff at the centre have been withdrawn from the building to a “place of safety” and emergency services attended.

A riot team were also reported to have been in attendance with batons, shields and dogs.

No staff has been seriously injured in the incident.

The situation was resolved by 10pm.

Audio of the telephone conversation with a witness from inside Morton Hall has been released online.

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.

“Deaths in removal centres are rare but tragic events.

“We take our responsibilities towards detainees’ health and welfare extremely seriously.

“As is the case with any death in detention a full investigation has been launched.”

Lincolnshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Keith Smy will have his last day with the force on September 12, after 30 years of service.

Keith Smy started at Lincolnshire Police in 2009 as Assistant Chief Constable with the Safer Neighbourhoods portfolio from Staffordshire Police.

His career in policing began in Staffordshire in 1984; then graduating from the national High Potential Development Scheme, he rose to Chief Superintendent before selection for the Strategic Command Course.

Before moving to Lincolnshire, he was responsible for Protective Services, managing Crime and Operational policing covering 500,000 people living in six large towns in Trent Valley. He had also headed training, recruitment and human resource functions.

Returning to Lincolnshire was not difficult for Keith due to growing up in the village of Billinghay, studying and being Head Boy at Lafford School.

In his five years at Lincolnshire Police, he oversaw the move to a ‘whole force’ policing model by merging the East, West and South Divisions and spearheaded a multi-agency approach to dealing with violence and anti-social behaviour — Operations Fusion (crime reduction) and NOVA (say NO to violence and abuse) were his ideas and will continue beyond his retirement.

He is a passionate supporter of the development of volunteering in the force, working closely with Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick to create and launch the V1000 Project, which aimed to find 1,000 volunteer PCSOs.

Keith also had primary responsibility for the ongoing development of the partnership between the PCC, the force and G4S.

He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my career and was honoured to be appointed to Lincolnshire in 2009. That was against stiff competition and I hope I have repaid the faith the selection panel showed in me.

“When I applied to Lincolnshire, some of my colleagues thought I was taking a backward step moving to a relatively small force with financial problems and limited resources.

“But I disagreed and have relished the challenge and been proud to work with a team of people passionate about delivering excellent policing services at good value for the public purse.”

Keith is particularly proud of the most recent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Report.

“It cited us as ‘outstanding’ at providing affordable policing and in effect vindicated our approach and rewarded the tenacity and creativity we have shown as ‘team Lincolnshire’,” he added.

Paying tribute

Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick said: “All of us who have had the pleasure of working with Keith will miss his enthusiasm and tenacity. Above all, Keith embodies public service at its best and I wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Chief constable Neil Rhodes added: “Keith has been a devoted servant of Lincolnshire Police and the public for the last five years of his 30 years of distinguished service.

“He has maintained his enthusiasm and commitment throughout – from the moment he arrived until the moment he leaves. He and his constantly affable nature will be sorely missed by us all, as friend, colleague and highly experienced police officer who was able to bring so much to the Lincolnshire Police table! We wish him well in his retirement.”

Keith Smy will return to Staffordshire in retirement, to be closer to his family and to publish one of his many manuscripts, improve his farming and smallholding skills and do some volunteering work.

“I wish everyone in the force every success for the future. I have been very proud to serve alongside so many dedicated, professional and perhaps more importantly, thoroughly nice people,” he said.

Lincolnshire police are looking for witnesses after a single-vehicle collision on the A46 Lincoln bypass.

The incident happened just before 2.45am on September 10, between the Skellingthorpe and Doddington roundabouts on the A46.

A silver Vauxhall Vectra left the road and collided with trees at the side of the carriageway.

The 30-year-old local driver is at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he is currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

The bypass between the two roundabouts was closed until around 6.50am while removal and investigations took place.

If anyone saw the vehicle leave the road or before the collision, contact the force on 101 or leave a message on the witness hotline, 01522 558855.

Four local men have been arrested over football-related disorder at the Lincoln v Grimsby (3-2) match on September 9, while a steward has suffered a head injury.

Three of the men were from the Lincoln area. One 22-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer. A 20-year-old man was arrested for breaching S5 of the Public Oder Act and a 49-year-old man was arrested for affray. A 26-year-old Louth man was also arrested for affray.

The arrested men will be interviewed on Wednesday.

During the match, a 41-year-old steward within the ground was knocked to the floor after a chair was thrown.

The man was one of the stewards from Grimsby who had travelled to the match to assist the Lincoln City stewards.

He suffered a head injury which was treated at the ground, he did not require hospital treatment. Police are investigating the incident concerning the steward.

Anyone with any information regarding any of the incidents is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police via the 101 non-emergency number, quoting incident number 282 of September 9.

Lincoln rock band Lock Up Laura’s latest music video is inspiring hundreds to remember lost loved ones, with a song telling the story of a challenging cancer battle.

After drummer Kareem Mahfouz lost his mum Jacqueline Mahfouzl Green to cancer two years ago, his band mates decided to write a song in her memory, and invite fans to pay their own tributes in the video.

‘Remember You’ was written by lead vocalist Lee McCusker, who said he wanted to support his band mate during the difficult time.

The American-style band released the final single from their debut album Running in the Dark on September 8 and already it has over 500 views on Youtube.

Fans were asked to contribute special videos in tribute of the people they miss the most, of which a selection was chosen to be included in the production.

The band consists of drummer Kareem Mahfouz (28), guitarist and vocalist Sam Buckthop (26), Bassist Liam Giles (20), guitarist Aaron Hall (27) and lead vocalist Lee McCusker (26).

Lee said: “This song has always been my favourite on the album and the one I’m most proud of.

“When you see one of your brothers go through such a devastating loss, you feel quite helpless and this was our way of supporting Kareem during that time.

“We all knew Jacqui and she really was a diamond, and to be able to write and perform something that not only was a tribute to her but for so many people, was really important to all of us.

“It was Aaron that first mentioned the idea of inviting the fans to get involved and trying to make the song accessible for as many people as possible.

“Warren Hayward from Any Idea shot the video at Insonic Studios in Lincoln with us, and we all collectively had an input on how we wanted it, but Warren really got into the idea from day one of discussing it.

“Opportunity to shine is very important for most emerging bands, and we’ve been incredibly fortunate from the start with loyal fans and some really supportive people around us.”

Lock Up Laura are looking forward to heading back to the studio to start recording the next record, Masquerade, and will be supporting The Brew at The Engine Shed on November 18.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for two witnesses to come forward after the collision on the A46 Lincoln bypass earlier this week .

As previously reported, a 30-year-old local man was hospitalised when his silver Vauxhall Astra left the road and crashed into trees between the Skellingthorpe and Doddington roundabouts on the A46 bypass.

The incident happened just before 2.45am on Wednesday, September 10, and the 30-year-old driver was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he remains in a serious condition.

The two men police are looking for are an ATS worker and the driver of an HGV which had broken down near the Skellingthorpe roundabout to get in touch.

They were spoken to on the day, but their details were not taken, so Constable James Bennett is keen to get in touch.

Anyone with any information, particularly the two men, should contact 101 or the collision hotline on 01522 558855.

Seven people have been arrested following three drug raids in the south of Lincoln.

In the last three months, Lincoln South Neighbourhood Policing Teams and colleagues raided properties in the Moorland Estate and Birchwood Estate areas.

Drugs were seized in two searches at addresses in the Moorland Estate.

One address contained a cannabis grow and a woman aged 21, and a man aged 24, were arrested and are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

At the second address, powder substances were found and seized.

A man and a woman, both aged 42, are now on police bail whilst further investigations takes place.

During this search another male aged 26 was also located in the house. He was wanted for theft offences and also arrested.

A third address was searched on the Birchwood Estate where quantities of controlled substances were seized.

Two females, both aged 27, who were present at the address, have been arrested and are also on police bail.

Police hope news of the numerous arrests would encourage local people to come forward with information.

Neighbourhood Sgt Gary Brockie said: “Lincolnshire Police is committed to taking positive action. Where we receive information, and can take appropriate action, we do so.

“If anybody has anything they want to tell us about criminal activity or anti-social behaviour then please contact us.”

You can contact your neighbourhood team by calling 101.

Lincolnshire Police are warning city residents to make sure they secure their bikes properly after a significant spike in thefts across Lincoln in the past month.

Some 47 bike thefts have been reported to police in the last 28 days, predominantly in the city centre.

Police say thieves are getting more blatant and going well-equipped for stealing, as they even bolt crop the bike locks in broad daylight.

Lincolnshire Police say there is still a lot cyclists can do to protect their bikes. They recommend cyclists use D locks, and it is also recommended to register their bike on Immobilise.

Further police advice for cyclists includes:

• Always secure your bicycle to a robust structure such as a lamp post or bicycle rack
• Choose a site which is well lit, visible to members of the public and if possible in view of a CCTV camera.
• Remember to secure your bicycle when you get home to a robust structure or locked shed

In another measure to tackle the crime, Lincolnshire Police has designed a Bicycle Passport to record the details of your bicycle, which can be used by officers to trace your bicycle, should it be stolen. Download your copy.

Police are asking members of the public and cyclists to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around bicycles, or let them know if they’re offered a bike for sale that they believe may be stolen. Thieves must be disposing of the bikes somehow.

If anyone would like more information about bike security, please contact the relevant Neighbourhood Policing Team.

A Lincoln road was closed throughout the early hours while an overturned car was recovered.

The crash happened at around 11.26pm on September 15 on Greetwell Road, near Greetway Hollow, where a Ford Focus from Woodhall Spa left the road and overturned.

The incident involved the single vehicle, but both the driver and passenger only sustained minor injuries.

The 20-year-old female driver from Woodhall Spa sustained cuts and bruises, while the female passenger (19) from Lincoln had some whiplash.

Greetwell Road was closed off while a recovery vehicle removed the car from the scene, and the road reopened later in the morning on September 16.

Any information should be given to Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 519 of September 15.

Police are appealing for information after a house and a boat which was moored on Foss Bank in Lincoln were broken into.

The first incident, when a boat was entered by forcing a panel, happened between September 4 and September 18.

It is believed that nothing was taken.

A second burglary, at a residential property on Foss Bank, was reported to police on September 17.

At around 8.15pm, a burglar is believed to have reached through an open window and taken a laptop.

Anyone who may have witnessed this or seen anyone in the area acting suspiciously is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 436 of September 17, and incident number 27 of September 18 for the boat break-in.

Lincolnshire Police are also asking residents to ensure all windows and doors are secure and valuable items are not left in view of opportunists.