The City of Lincoln Council has barred current tenants and all others from entering a flat in the Stamp End area of Lincoln due to persistent reports of noise, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

The ‘Closure Order’ was granted at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 6 and has been served on 150 Cannon Street.

The order means no one, including the current tenants, is allowed to enter the flat for a period of three months, except council officers and contractors.

Since 2009, the city council has received a number of allegations of drug dealing at the property, as well as complaints about disturbances, the number of visitors, shouting, visits and noise at unsociable hours and fights in communal areas.

In addition, Class A and B drugs were discovered in the flat during raids by police in August.

The tenants will now have to find other accommodation arrangements, and the city council says there is housing help available to them.

Sam Barstow, Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour at the city council, said: “We have received reports of anti-social behaviour at this property for some time and, despite a number of warnings to the occupants, neighbours continued to suffer anti-social behaviour.

“We have worked closely with Lincolnshire Police and local residents to gather evidence in order to take this action to provide immediate protection for people living in the area.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities is a high priority for the city council and we’re pleased with the decision from the court and the support we have received from residents in the area.

“The council will now apply to Lincoln County Court for a possession order and, if successful, will re-let the flat as soon as possible to people on our waiting list.”

Inspector Pat Coates of Lincolnshire Police added: “We hope that this Closure Order sends a strong message to individuals engaging in any type of criminal or anti-social behaviour that there will be serious consequences.

“But we also hope that it sends an equally strong message to members of our communities who have reported these types of incidents that police and partners are listening and we are constantly doing our best to try and bring offenders to justice.

“We have worked closely with City of Lincoln Council to being about this Closure Order and hope it makes a real difference to the lives of those living in the local area.”

A child has learnt a lesson in the dangers of lasers after police identified him as the culprit of an alarming air ambulance incident.

As previously reported, an air ambulance was dazzled by a laser in the Witham St Hughs area on Sunday, October 4, sparking a police warning.

Officers now say the culprit has been identified as a child and the laser has been confiscated to be disposed of and “given suitable words of advice”.

He is also said to be writing a letter of apology.

A police spokesperson said earlier: “It is not only extremely dangerous but is also a criminal offence. It can dazzle or distract a pilot and can prove a considerable threat to safety.

“These devices are not toys and we would like to remind people of the seriousness of shining them at an aircraft.”

Police are searching for Lincoln teenager Gabreale Sommerford, who has been missing since Thursday, October 8.

Gabreale, 14, was reported missing yesterday from the Monks Road area of Lincoln. She was last seen around 2.30pm.

She is described as having blonde hair with blue streaks in it, around 5ft 3in in height, wearing a cream top, cream jeans and a black leather jacket. She may have a skateboard with her.

Gabreale also went missing this summer and was later found safe and well.

If you have seen Gabreale, or know where she might be, please contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 343 of 08/10/2015.

Organisations from across Lincoln have come together to show their support for the national Hate Crime Awareness Week which begins on Saturday, October 10.

The purpose of the week is to tackle hate crime issues by raising awareness of what a hate crime is and how to respond to it, by promoting local and national support services and resources.

Organisers say it provides an opportunity to increase awareness of all forms of hate crime including those based on disability, faith, gender identity, race and sexual orientation.

The organisations involved include the City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire Police, University of Lincoln, Just Lincolnshire and Voluntary Centre Services.

Wes Shelbourne from Just Lincolnshire said: “It is important we raise awareness of what hate crime is so that people recognise it and report it.

“The reporting of racial hate crimes is usually higher than others, which is more than likely because people are more aware of what’s acceptable with regards to race and ethnicity and feel more able to report it.

“However, there has been an increase in incidents of hate crime where someone’s disability and sexual orientation is targeted and it’s important that these are recognised and reported to either the police or Stop Hate UK, a national charity whose staff are able to offer support and guidance and have direct access to the most appropriate agency to meet a victim’s needs”.

City Councillor Roseanne Kirk added: “Everyone should be able to be themselves and live their lives safely and I strongly encourage people to report any hate crimes and incidents they are victims of or witness taking place.”

Hate crime is a form of abuse that specifically targets a person’s identity and has a huge negative impact on those that are subject to abuse, their families and by the community as a whole.

There are different forms of hate crimes that can take place:

• Physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbourhood disputes and arson.
• Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone call, intimidation or malicious complaints.
• Verbal abuse or insults – including offensive letters and posters, abusive gestures, and bullying at school or in the workplace.

Hate Crime incidents can be reported directly to Police on 101 or 999 or alternatively Stop Hate UK are commissioned to provide their independent 24 hour reporting service throughout Lincolnshire. You can contact the service via phone on 0800 138 1625 or online.

The treasurer of a Lincoln community club has been sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to the theft of thousands of pounds.

Mark Derek Wilkinson, 54, of Hardwick Place in Lincoln appeared before Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, October 9.

He had pleaded guilty to theft of £7,500 from the Castle Ward Club on Kingsley Street, over a period whilst employed as the treasurer.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years.

He was also given a Rehabilitation Activity Order and an Alcohol Treatment Order.

A 60-year-old biker has died after a crash involving a police car and a tractor on the A52 at Old Leake in Lincolnshire.

The incident happened at around 1pm on Sunday, October 11, near the junction with School Lane.

Lincolnshire Police said several vehicles were involved including a police car, a tractor and a motorcycle.

The rider of the motorcycle, a local man aged 60, died later in hospital from the injuries sustained in the crash.

Lincolnshire Police said an investigation is in the early stages and that the incident has been referred to the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission).

The force is also appealing for anyone who may have been in the area or witnessed the collision to contact the witness hotline on 01522 558855.

Marc Jones, the Conservative County Councillor for Bracebridge, has been chosen to contest next year’s Police and Crime Commissioner Election in Lincolnshire.

He was selected by party members from across Lincolnshire following a special meeting in North Hykeham.

Marc, 43, is also the Executive Member for Finance and Property on Lincolnshire County Council, and has previously been Deputy Leader of the City of Lincoln Council.

Born and raised in Lincolnshire, Marc has been married to Rachel for 21 years and the couple have one daughter, Tabitha, aged 7.

Marc Jones said: “It is a great privilege to be chosen by county residents as the Conservative candidate for next year’s Police and Crime Commissioner Election.

“As the father of a little girl it is so important to me that we have the safest streets possible here in Lincolnshire and a police force which is the envy of the country.

“My priorities will be boosting both neighbourhood and rural policing as working with our hardworking officers to ensure victims of crime are at the forefront of everything we do.

“I will also be a Police and Crime Commissioner who will work in a positive way with our Government and MPs to get the best funding deal for Lincolnshire Police.”

Following the first elections for Police and Crime Commissioners in November 2012, the next elections for the posts will be held on May 5, 2016.

Alan Hardwick, a former TV and radio presenter, and also former Police and Crime Panel spokesperson, has been the Lincolnshire PCC since 2012.

The Conservatives fielded Richard Davies in 2012 as their PCC candidate. Davies is currently a County Councillor and in charge of Transport and Highways in the county.

Marc Jones also ran for Grimsby MP for the Conservatives in the May 2015 General Elections.

A 58-year-old man from Newark has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for historic sexual assaults against a young girl in Lincoln.

Philip Butler (formally Philip Nelson), of Yorke Drive, Newark, was sentenced on Monday, October 12 at Lincoln Crown Court.

He was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14.

The offences were committed between 1978 and 1984 in the Lincoln area.

Investigating Officer DC Kirsty Longmuir said: “We hope that this is a powerful message to victims.

“That their bravery and courage in coming forward to help with enquiries such as this, will not be in vain.

“We treat reports of sexual abuse with the gravity that they deserve regardless of whether that abuse is current or historic.”

Police searching for a missing man have found his body in a river near Lincoln.

Nottinghamshire Police has been searching for Victor Goodridge-Suarez, 54, of Dunham-on-Tent.

He had not been seen or heard from since the weekend of October 3.

On Saturday, October 10, a body was recovered from River Trent near Torksey Lock, 10 miles north west of Lincoln.

On Tuesday, October 13, police formally identified the body as being that of the missing man.

The circumstances surrounding Victor Goodridge-Suarez’s death are still being investigated.

A file has been passed to the coroner, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Lincolnshire Police are investigating a curious incident at a Lincoln High Street shop, where offenders caused significant damage with what’s thought to be a wheelie bin.

Officers are appealing for information and witnesses to the criminal damage, which occurred at The Works book and stationary shop between 5.30pm on October 9 and 8.20am on October 10.

The glass panel of the front doors of was damaged, however entry was not gained.

Anyone with information should contact PC 402 Neal Thompson of Lincoln CID via the 101 number, quoting incident number 118 of October 10.

Can you help your friends, colleagues, neighbours or vulnerable members of our community?

Stop and ask yourself, “Could they be suffering from hate crime?”

A hate crime or incident is something that’s perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation or gender identification.

They can take many forms including physical attacks, threats, verbal abuse, neighbour disputes, arson, graffiti, intimation or harassment, bullying at school, college or work, harassment by phone, text, email or through the internet, taking money, theft and even murder.

At Lincolnshire Police we take positive action and investigate all hate crimes and incidents, but we can only take action to deal with it if it is reported.

I know that reporting an incident or crime takes courage, but the sooner we’re made aware that something maybe happening then the quicker we can investigate.

Speak to anyone who you think may be suffering from hate crime and support them to report these incidents either direct to Lincolnshire Police – ring 101 and tell our member of staff that you think this is a hate crime – or contact Stop Hate UK by ringing 0800 138 1625 or by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org.

Remember, anyone can report hate crime and it will significantly help the investigation if you are able to provide:

•          A description of the perpetrator(s)
•          Details of any witnesses to the incident
•          A diary record of any ongoing incidents and previous incidents you have experienced
•          Original copies of any hate mail that has been sent to you
•          Evidence of damage to property, graffiti etc. It is advisable not to clear these up before reporting the incident if possible

I recognise that when a hate crime or incident occurs it does not simply affect the victim but can, and often does, seriously affect whole families, the wider community and society as a whole.

If you suspect a hate crime or incident has been committed we need to investigate at the earliest opportunity to ensure the matter is resolved and that people aren’t living in fear.

A female pedestrian was knocked down in a collision with a car on Broadgate in Lincoln on the morning of Friday, October 16.

The crash, which was reported to Lincolnshire Police at 9.48am, involved a silver Ford Focus.

The pedestrian sustained injuries as a result of the collision, however they are not expected to be life-threatening.

It is not thought that the female driver of the car was injured.

Emergency services attended the scene and one lane of the carriageway southbound remains closed at the time of writing.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is being asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 110 of October 16.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses after burglars stole what has been described as a “large quantity” of fireworks from a discount warehouse in Lincoln.

Officers investigating the incident believe that the offender(s) forced entry to containers at the JTF premises on Greetwell Road overnight from Saturday, October 17 to Sunday, October 18.

The burglars subsequently made off with a significant amount of ‘Guy Fawkes’ brand fireworks.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area before the incident was reported at 8am on Sunday.

Officers have also asked the public to look out for fireworks sold at knock-down prices over the next few weeks, in the run up to Bonfire Night (November 5).

Anyone who is offered any cheap fireworks or who has any information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 104 of October 18.

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

Lincolnshire Police’s commitment to maintain staff numbers beyond next year is “not achievable”, a government report has claimed.

Findings produced by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) have said that the force is only partly prepared to address the future financial challenges it will face over this Parliament, and must consider cutting its staff numbers.

Inspectors said that improvements in efficiency must be made to ensure that people are kept safe in the county, and to reduce crime.

The report said: “The force and PCC has made a continued commitment to maintain current staffing levels and it is unclear how these levels can be sustained when faced with further savings requirements.

“At the time of inspection the force has no plans to use its general reserve to bridge the funding gap and the force reports a funding gap in 2016/17 and 2017/18. This means that the current plan to maintain workforce numbers is not achievable.”

Inspectors did praise Lincolnshire Police for its “robust financial management, accurate budgeting and a record of achieving planned savings.”

It also noted that the force managed to balance its budget for 2014/15, achieving savings in the region of £2.5 million, and has clear plans to balance its budget for 2015/16.

Despite this, Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick has questioned HMIC’s judgement that the force requires improvement in terms of how efficient it is at keeping people safe and reducing crime.

He said:

“Crime has continued to reduce, we have one of the highest workloads per officer and we remain the lowest cost police force of any in England and Wales. That looks like an efficient police force to me.

“HMIC recognise that we cannot maintain officer numbers without more money. They also say, quite rightly, we have a high reliance on local funding.

“It is therefore essential that the new Home Office funding formula delivers a fairer, more transparent and sustainable model that will ensure better outcomes for Lincolnshire and communities across the country.”

Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, Neil Rhodes, added: “”We have long supported the reform of the current complex and opaque police funding formula that the government is currently carrying out.

“We have actively and constructively informed the debate about the development of new arrangements which are needed to maintain acceptable standards of policing in Lincolnshire.

“We have an approach that works in Lincolnshire; performance is very strong, costs are enviably low. In our last assessment HMIC judged us as outstanding in terms of our provision of affordable policing.

“The focus is now on the government to implement a fair financial settlement that will mean we can maintain it for many years to come.”

Two 20-year-old men and a 40-year-old woman have been interviewed by Lincolnshire Police after a furious chase through the streets of Lincoln.

The incident took place on Napier Street and the surrounding roads in the Stamp End area of the city at around 4:00pm on Monday, October 19.

A man was seen running in pursuit of another man in what police have described as “an aggressive manner.”

The three people were arrested on suspicion of affray and interviewed about the incident by officers.

They have since been released on police bail.

An ambulance was requested for a woman who had been injured but her injuries were not thought to have been life threatening.

Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 288 of October 19.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a domestic incident and a helicopter search in Lincoln.

The incident reportedly began at about 2.30pm on October 20 on Uffington Avenue. Police say it arose from a domestic incident.

A police helicopter began a search as police were concerned for the wellbeing of the man who left the scene and was thought to be in danger of self-harming.

The man was arrested in Lincoln at 4.30pm on suspicion of committing criminal damage.

Officers said his welfare needs will be assessed at the Lincoln Police Station.

Police are searching for a man captured on CCTV at a Lincoln Tesco store around the time a bicycle was stolen.

Officers say the man may be able to assist with their investigation of the bike theft outside Tesco Express on Newark Road on September 13.

An appeal has been issued for anyone with information to come forward with the identity of the man pictured.

He is white, of slim-medium build, aged late 20s or early 30s. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, black jacket and jeans.

Anyone that can help should call 101 quoting the incident number 311 of September 13.

A Lincolnshire Police officer tasked with tackling domestic abuse in the county has been awarded a national Guardian Angel award for her efforts.

Sarah Norburn, Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator for the force, received a Safeguarding Recognition for her dedication and devotion to duty at a special ceremony in London.

The event was organised by the National Centre for Domestic Violence and the College of Policing to celebrate the achievements of professionals addressing domestic abuse.

Sarah said she was honoured to be presented with the special Guardian Angel award and paid tribute to all the work that goes on around the country.

She said: “Everybody in this room does amazing jobs and I happily accept this with all of my colleagues in mind. I am delighted to have been recognised.”

“The job of a Domestic Abuse Champion is also to provide clear information and services to victims, survivors, dependents and their wider family which leads to increased confidence in reporting.”

Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton, Head of Public Protection for the force, added: “It’s great Sarah has been recognised for all her hard work at a national level.”

Lincolnshire Police have launched an appeal for witnesses of a racially motivated road rage incident in the Cathedral Quarter of Lincoln.

On Monday, October 19, at approximately 5.30pm, a road rage incident was reported on Priory Gate, near to the Lincoln Hotel at the traffic lights.

A man exited a black Ford Focus and approached a silver Honda Civic. He attempted to gain entry to the Honda Civic.

When he was unsuccessful he verbally racially abused the driver of the Honda Civic.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call the 101 non-emergency number, quoting incident number 336 of October 19.

The investigating officer is Constable Mark Loughton.

The family of a 35-year-old woman from Lincolnshire are growing increasingly concerned for her safety.

Leah Palushi has not been seen since she went missing from her home in Gainsborough on Tuesday, October 21.

She is believed to have been wearing a green parka coat, jeans and brown Ugg boots.

Police have said that it is unusual for Leah not to be in contact with her friends or family, and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Gary Brockie, Duty Inspector for Gainsborough, said: “I’d really like Leah to get in touch with us or her family, if anyone can help with information about where Leah is, please ring the force on 101.”