Almost 600 arrests made in a year by Lincoln’s Neighbourhood Policing Team

Almost 600 arrests were made and more than 500 crimes were detected in the last 12 months by Lincoln’s Neighbourhood Police Team.

As part of a national Neighbourhood Policing Week running from until Sunday, the Lincolnshire force is highlighting the vital work officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) do to protect the public and keep people safe.

“From keeping the most vulnerable safe and carrying out school visits, to problem solving the issues that are affecting your community, neighbourhood policing is about connection, collaboration and long-term impact,” said a spokesperson.

“So much of their work is unseen. It takes place at strategic meetings with housing and anti-social behaviour teams at the local council, behind the closed doors of a vulnerable family, often with social services, or sitting down with teachers and pupils at local school. 

“This is alongside proactive foot and vehicle patrols, attending community events, working with local businesses, and following up on intelligence where potential crimes are taking place. All of it is vital.”

In the past 12 months the team has secured almost 160 prison sentences for crimes ranging from theft from shops and motor vehicles to drug dealing and burglary, as well conducting 590 arrests, and played a role in 58 Community Orders being handed out.

“They work 365 days a year, and are dedicated to their local communities, working to build trust, prevent crime, and foster a sense of safety and security.”

The highlights from the year include:

• 590 arrests.
• 30 of these arrests in the past 12 months were for people being suspected of being concerned in the supply of drugs and possession with intent to supply. The investigations into those cases are ongoing.
• 534 crimes detected and dealt with by way of charge or caution.
• 159 jail sentences for everything ranging from shop theft, assault, and public order offences, to burglary, theft of pedal cycles and theft from motor vehicles.
• 132 suspended prison sentences for a similar range of offences – these sentences mean that at court the offenders didn’t meet the threshold to be imprisoned at the time of the hearing, but if they breach licence conditions they can be recalled and their custodial sentence enforced.
• 58 Community Orders with probation. These orders were imposed on mean that the punishment and rehabilitation are carried out in the community instead of in prison. 
• 31 offenders recalled to prison.
• 45 warrants conducted at residential properties in and around the city centre. These were off the back of police-led intelligence along with information shared with us from the community where concerns are raised about potential crime. The warrants mostly focussed on drug-related activity.
• Obtained 30 Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) against the top shoplifters in the city.

Community Beat Manager for the City Centre team Sergeant Steve Parker, said: “Neighbourhood policing is about being proactive, while also solving the problems affecting our communities; we can’t do this alone, and we work really closely with other public agencies tasked with serving their community.

"Everything we have achieved over the last 12 months has been targeted and tactical so that we can maximise the benefit to the public, whether that’s keeping people safe or keeping crime levels low. 

"Like all police officers and staff, we sign up to tackle crime and keep people safe, and I’m extremely proud of the role we play, and how accessible and visible we are to local people.”