Lincolnshire Police are searching for a burglar who stole several watches from Debenhams after a break-in overnight on New Year’s Eve.
The burglary was reported to the force on the morning of New Year’s Day, and at this stage it is believed that the offender smashed a side door window to gain entry to the store.
Once inside, the burglar shattered numerous watch display cases, and stole the watches from each case.
Lincolnshire Police are currently investigating the burglary and would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at the time.
Anyone who has recently been offered watches for sale is also asked to get in touch with the police on 101, quoting incident number 246 of January 1.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This latest burglary follows a similar incident at Goldsmiths just before Christmas, which saw around 30 Tag Heuer and Carrera watches worth more than £50,000 stolen.
The family of the 17-year-old boy who died following a tragic fire in Lincoln just before Christmas have released a touching tribute to the teenager.
As previously reported, Thomas Taylor died in the fire at a magic shop and flat on De Wint Avenue on December 21, which destroyed the property.
The fire is being treated by Lincolnshire Police as accidental, with full details of the cause to be dealt with at an inquest later this year.
Tributes have already been paid by local residents and the headteacher of The Priory Witham Academy, the school which Tom attended.
Now Tom’s mum Helen, step-dad Max, and twin brother Jack have released their own tribute.
They said: “Tom was just such an amazing, kind, generous, humorous young man. He was such fun and was happiest when he was making others happy, and he always succeeded in doing that.
“He would do something daft and silly to make you smile but wasn’t a clown and was never reckless, he just knew how to make people laugh. He was constantly upbeat, cheerful and happy.
“Tom had hearing problems and wore a hearing aid to help him each day but he just took it in his stride. He said that, of course, he’d prefer not to have to wear an aid but it wasn’t an issue and would say that others were worse off so he didn’t let it get in his way.
“When he was young he wanted to be a pilot but found out that because of his hearing problems he couldn’t so just said ‘okay, what’s next instead’? He had then wanted to be a chiropractor after visiting one himself and seeing the good they could do.
“Tom would do anything for anyone and what he wanted to do in the future as a career really reflected that – it was all about doing things for others and trying to make them happy.
“It is telling that he could get along with anyone of any age or background, be it young or old, he never judged. He was such a modest, interested and engaging young man.
“People always had time for him and that must be because he had time for them.
“Tom and Jack were black belts in Taekwondo and they’re both incredibly proud of that, as we are of them. They have competed against each other in the past and it’s been difficult to know who to cheer on but they both were so pleased and proud of the other that it was never an issue.
“In 2013 they competed in the World Championships in Coventry and were aiming for the same competition in Birmingham this coming year (2016).
“Tom and Jack were extremely bonded, not just because they were twins but because they were best friends. They had their own individual personalities but also just loved spending time together – if one went to the shop, the other would follow, they walked to school together, they spent their free time together. Jack describes Tom as the best brother anyone could wish for.
“Tom was an incredible saxophonist after starting to play when he was at junior school.
“He had just passed a recent grade with absolute distinction and enjoyed spending some time busking at the recent Christmas Market in Lincoln. Tom and us all smiled as people danced in front of him as he played his Christmas repertoire including Fairytale of New York and All I Want For Christmas.
“He was talented in so many ways and interested in so many things – he was a superb student, he was athletic, musical, and a valued and treasured member of this family.
“He was also a wonderful self-dedicated office vacuumer at the family business!
“Tom had incredibly wide and varied interests. In 2014 he won a trip to Space Camp in Alabama, USA, where he participated in some once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
“Tom got to live like an astronaut for a few days and experienced zero gravity, took part in missions, and ate and drank like those living in space might.
“When he got home he told us all his tales with such enthusiasm and excitement but was also so aware that others had not been able to experience this amazing trip that he didn’t talk about it all the time. Tom was incredibly sensitive and empathetic towards others.”
Tom Taylor
“We are absolutely overwhelmed by the response of our local community and the messages people have been sending us. There are so many people we want to thank and we are completely amazed at the goodness and kindness that people have shown us – not only at the time of the fire but also in the days following.
“Even before emergency services could arrive a number of people risked their own lives by running back into the building as it was on fire to try and help and were trying to see if we were alright. We don’t know who they are but want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
“The community has offered us so many messages of sympathy, help, and support in the days since Tom’s death and we’ve been totally overwhelmed.
“We’re so very grateful to you all, it really is offering us some comfort during the most difficult time of our lives.
“We also don’t know how to say thank you for the colossal fundraising that has been going on, we’re amazed at the generosity of people, especially at Christmas time when money can be tight. Thank you.
“We don’t know yet what we will put that money towards but we want it to be a legacy to Tom, something that can make people happy and continues his good work.
“As well as people we don’t know, family and friends have been a constant help and support – thank you so much to you all. Also Anita and Dan from the Red Cross have helped us every step of the way and continue to do so during this gruelling journey; Becky and Karl who set up the fundraising page have been a huge help and we are so very grateful to you.
“A number of local businesses and organisations have offered us help and support – Tesco, Asda, DJ Roadshow, and the Co-op. They have offered us everything from shoes to wear to food to eat, we perhaps wouldn’t have thought of those practical things in a time of such grief and sorrow. Thank you so very much.
“We are so incredibly proud of Tom and so acutely aware of the wonderful, modest young man we were blessed to have in our lives.
“He touched so many people, more than we ever realised, and had the best qualities that we all wish we could possess.
“We told him all the time how unique and special he was and we are so grateful that he knew how much we loved him.
“We are still in the process of planning Tom’s funeral but we are absolutely adamant that we want it to be a celebration of his life.
“We want anyone who knew Tom or whose lives were touched by him to attend, details will follow shortly.
“He spent his days happy and would want people to be as happy as possible at his funeral.
“We mourn the loss of the brother and son we love so much but celebrate and rejoice the 17 years we were lucky enough to have with him.
“We miss him every day but try to remember him with the smiles and laughter that he brought to our lives on a daily basis.
“We love you and miss you, Tom, but we remember you with such love, gratitude, and with hearts full of happiness.”
Figures have revealed Lincolnshire Police spent over a third of a million pounds on translation services in one year, for languages including Tagalog and Urdu.
A translator was needed to deal with people who spoke 34 different languages in the year 2012/13 at a cost of £373,958.
The sum has been highlighted by the Conservative candidate in next year’s Police and Crime Commissioner election Marc Jones who said the money should have been spent on “more pressing needs”.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the councillor showed the translation services were used for languages such as Tagalog, a Filipino language, Tigrinya, which is spoke in the Horn of Africa and Urdu, associated with the Muslims of the region of Hindustan.
The force now outsources the translation service to private company G4S.
Lincolnshire Police did not hold the relevant information for the years 2013/14 or 2014/15.
Marc Jones said: “Nearly a third of million pounds is a lot of money for Lincolnshire Police to spend on translation especially when there are more pressing needs.
“Add this to the thousands squandered by the current Police and Crime Commissioner on the unnecessary removal of our Chief Constable and you see the waste just getting bigger.
“It is a shame that not more energy and resources could not have been devoted to tackling the steep rise in sexual crime and the persistence of rural crime.
“If given the privilege of becoming Lincolnshire’s next Police and Crime Commissioner I will always prioritise the right issues.”
Lincolnshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Heather Roach said: “The population of the Lincolnshire Police area has become increasingly diverse over the last few years.
“It follows that the number of contacts that the force has with residents and visitors who cannot speak English or who have a limited grasp of the language has increased accordingly.
“It is very important that we are able to communicate with victims, witnesses and offenders as well as with people who have problems and concerns that we need to address.
“The cost of translation services is unavoidable as we must provide access to our policing service for everyone in the county.
“We constantly review these costs and seek the best value for money services from different providers. Currently we believe that our arrangements with G4S offer the best solution to our responsibilities in this area.”
Remote-controlled drones could be used to help police catch criminals, find missing persons and assist with high-risk operations in Lincolnshire.
Following a trial of the devices by police forces in Surrey and Sussex, more than a quarter of forces in England and Wales are reported to be considering the benefits.
Lincolnshire Police outlined their position, stating they would not ‘rule out’ the use of drones.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Whilst Lincolnshire Police have yet to embrace this type of technology, we are always looking to enhance our effectiveness in the various operations and investigations we carry out.
“With this in mind the use of drones or other forms of technology by the force cannot be ruled out in the future.”
The drones could be used to monitor events such as protests, conduct area searches and assist burglary investigations.
Steve Barry, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead on drones, told The Times the devices could be “effective” at searching for suspects.
“You could send up a drone and use a videolink before making a decision on how to proceed.”
The increasingly affordable aircraft was originally designed for military use, but has become a popular purchase among civilians and amateurs.
Certain risks have been signalled by police forces in the past when unauthorised flights were reported.
A number of people got in touch with concerns about theft in Lincoln, specifically of pushbikes and motorcycles. What work is ongoing in this area to prevent this happening?
In broad terms we’ve been operational for a couple of years now and I’ve been lucky enough to be the Chief responsible for managing it. In essence, we have one Command providing armed policing, roads policing, dogs, specialist search and public order co-ordination. For a large rural county with a relatively small police force it gives us really good resilience and support and it’s worked extremely well for us.
You mentioned the East Midlands Operational Support Service (EMOpSS), a unique collaboration of services from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. How else does the organisation benefit the county now that it’s almost two years in operation?
Throughout all of my Police service I’ve been dealing with terrible accidents on Lincolnshire’s roads and working to see the number of people who are killed or seriously injured reduced. The good news is there’s a really strong downward trend and we take it very seriously. We have a lot more consistent, sustainable and professional roads policing response over the last two years with the creation of the East Midlands Opertional Support Service where we work with four forces to provide expert roads policing. Alongside that the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership has doe a massive amount to drive down the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our county’s challenging roads.
On a more serious note, many of our readers highlighted to us the number of road incidents in the county such as crashes and fatal incidents. Is this something that is high on the agenda for the force? Do the number of incidents appear to be higher than in previous periods and are you putting crashes down to any recurring issues?
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes has joined us at The Lincolnite offices and will be here for the next hour responding to questions sent in by our readers. Welcome Neil!
We’ll start with a very easy question from one of our readers to get the Q&A rolling: “What’s your favourite sandwich?”
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Saxilby.
Five reports of burglaries or attempted burglaries at properties in the area around Westcroft Drive, St Georges Mews, and Torksey Avenue overnight on January 5.
Investigations are being carried out in relation to each of these incidents and police are keen to hear from anyone who may have experienced anything similar overnight and who hasn’t already reported it to us, or anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area.
The force also believes that several residents have personal CCTV at their properties and would like to speak to them to see if they have any footage that could assist the investigation.
Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 37 of January 6 with any relevant information.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A 27-year-old man who was last seen at Lincoln County Hospital has been reported missing.
Update at 8.20pm: Daniel Whitmore has been found safe and well. Police thanked all readers for sharing their appeal.
Daniel Whitmore was last seen leaving the Accident and Emergency department at around 2.30pm on the afternoon of January 6.
Lincolnshire Police are asking people making their way home from work to keep an eye out for Daniel.
His silver Vauxhall Corsa is parked on Lincoln Lane in Middle Rasen (registration S329 DWT) but the force does not know if he is intending to head back to his vehicle or elsewhere in the Lincoln area.
Daniel is described as around 6ft in height, of stocky/large build, with a crew cut and wearing a grey hooded top with a white zip and a black band around the bottom and a logo on the left top breast pocket area, dark jeans and beige shoes.
Contact Lincolnshire Police as soon as possible on 101 quoting incident 227 of January 16 if you have seen Daniel or know of his whereabouts.
A 38-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with multiple Lincolnshire charity shop burglaries over the Christmas period.
Sometime between 6.45pm on Sunday, December 13 and 7am on Monday, December 14, Oxfam on the High Street in Stamford was burgled.
Entry was gained by offenders who smashed a rear window. Two charity tins were stolen from inside.
Police said the perpetrators also managed to force their way into a neighbouring business’ stock room, which belonged to Savers, and stole a quantity of stock.
The Penny Lane charity shop on St Pauls Street in Stamford was targeted sometime between 6pm on Sunday, December 13 and 8am on Monday, December 14. Entry was not gained by offenders.
Sometime between 4pm on Monday, December 28 and 9am on Tuesday, December 29, Cancer Research UK on Southgate in Sleaford was broken into.
A quantity of cash was taken from the till float and in loose change, as well as a charity tin and its contents.
On Monday, January 4 an attempt was made to enter the British Red Cross on North Street in Bourne but offenders were not successful.
The British Heart Foundation on the High Street in Stamford was broken into sometime between 4pm on Sunday, January 3 and 9am on Monday, January 4.
Offenders gained access by smashing a rear window. The till float was stolen, four Slazenger watches, and a charity collection tin.
The arrest of a man and woman was made in connection with all incidents.
Police investigations continue.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing to hear from anyone who may have information in relation to these incidents.
Anyone with information should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Four masked men broke into a Lincoln village home before being confronted by a person inside, fleeing the scene and leaving a vehicle burnt out in the city.
Just after 8.30pm on Thursday, January 7, a burglary was reported at a property on Sykes Lane in Saxilby.
Four men dressed in dark clothing and with their faces covered were reported to have forced entry to the address.
At the time, three people – two men and a woman – were in the property.
The offenders were challenged by one of the members of the household. Nobody was injured and nothing was stolen.
The offenders left the scene in a silver Vauxhall Vectra, which was later found burnt out on Millbeck Drive, Lincoln.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended the fire and it was extinguished.
21:27 Lincoln North attended Millbeck Drive, Lincoln. Fire damage to 1 car. Extinguished using 2 breathing apparatus & 1 hose reel.
Witnesses in this area are also asked to call us if they have seen anything suspicious.
Lincolnshire Police are conducting enquiries in relation to the incident and want to hear from anyone who may have any information that could assist the enquiry.
Anyone who heard anything suspicious should call 101 quoting incident 357 of January 7.
Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information after several cars were damaged in Lincoln.
Five cars were scratched by what police are describing as “a sharp implement” on Shakespeare Street sometime overnight on Saturday, January 2 into Sunday, January 3.
Two nights later, the force received another report of numerous cars having been scratched by a sharp implement while parked on Hermit Street.
Police would like to hear from residents who may have witnessed anything or anyone suspicious, or anyone who may have heard anyone talking about carrying out this criminal damage or similar.
Contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 83 of January 3 for the damage on Shakespeare Street and incidents 174 and 206 of January 5 for the Hermit Street incidents.
Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A driver who beeped his horn when a car tried to cut into his lane was assaulted and had his van damaged by two men.
The 46-year-old man was driving a Western Power van on the A46 Nettleham Road, close to the Nettleham roundabout, at around 5pm on Thursday, January 7 when the car attempted to cut in front of him.
When he horned the driver, two men got out, damaging the van and assaulting him.
The victim was not seriously injured as a result.
Lincolnshire Police are unsure of the make and model of the car the two offenders were travelling in, but believe it is possible it could have been a white Mercedes.
The force have also been unable to obtain a description of the offenders but are appealing for witnesses and information.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 271 of January 7.
Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Joint efforts by police forces in the East Midlands, including Lincolnshire, to reduce costs and improve services have been applauded by Chancellor George Osborne on his visit to the region.
The Chancellor attended an early morning briefing with chief constables from the East Midlands, including Lincolnshire Police’s Neil Rhodes, to learn more about the East Midlands Operational Support Service.
The scheme, known as EMOpSS, is a collaboration between Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Police, established in December 2013.
EMOpSS provides roads policing, armed policing and firearms training, specialist search, specialist and general purpose dog support, and collision investigation to the 2.9 million people living in the four counties.
At the half hour meeting held at Nottinghamshire Police HQ on January 8, the chief constables were able to pitch the success of the service to the Chancellor, and describe how it could be used as a “blueprint” for the rest of the country.
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: The Lincolnite
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said: “The service has real advantages in improving the quality of service, driving costs down and ensuring that our forces across the region remain resilient.
“It’s encouraging that such a senior politician as the Chancellor came on board and listen to our ideas. He wanted to know about the advantages we’ve found from our collaboration, particularly around the financial efficiencies we’ve delivered.”
Early meeting with George Osborne. Chance to showcase @LincsRAPT@SouthTRPT and collab work. East Mids blueprint captured his interest
Around 600 EMOpSS officers operate across the region, with the service generating savings of approximately £4 million.
Despite this, it is highly unlikely that any of the savings made by the service would be kept by the forces and reinvested into policing.
Chief Constable Rhodes added: “The East Midlands is already regarded as a pathfinder with a strong track record on delivering a quality, affordable service, with shared benefits.
“We welcome any future visits from the Chancellor and look forward to his seal of approval by using this scheme as a blueprint across the country.”
Lincolnshire Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to contact in connection with a burglary in Lincoln a week before Christmas.
An offender entered a property on Staunton Court sometime between 2.45am and 3.10am on Friday, December 18, taking advantage of an insecure front door.
An iPad was stolen while the family were asleep inside the property.
Police would like to talk to the man pictured to see if he has any information that could help the enquiry.
Anyone who knows who he is should contact Lincolnshire Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 36 of December 18.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A man has died in Lincolnshire after the car he was driving left the road and smashed into a tree in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency services were called to Holbeach Road near the A151/A16 junction in Spalding shortly after 3am after a silver Rover collided with a tree.
The driver, a 31 year-old foreign national who was living in Spalding, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say his immediate family have been informed and other relatives in Poland are being notified.
There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw the vehicle prior to the incident, is being asked to contact the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.
Police are searching for a prisoner who has absconded from HMP North Sea Camp prison near Boston.
Ryan Taylor (30) was reported missing from the open prison at 1am on Saturday morning, January 10.
Taylor is 5’9″ tall, of medium build, with brown hair and green eyes.
There is no description of the clothing he was wearing.
Taylor is originally from Leicestershire and it is possible that he may have made his way in that direction.
Anyone who believes they have seen Taylor, or who has any information concerning his whereabouts, is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police in 101, quoting incident 20/10/01.
