CORONAVIRUS: Police and councils struggle to handle influx of lockdown calls

Authorities across Lincolnshire are calling on residents to think before they call as some face a surge in enquiries due to the coronavirus lockdown.
By Daniel Jaines, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 24th Mar 2020, 13:49 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2020, 13:50 BST
Authorities are being innundated with callsAuthorities are being innundated with calls
Authorities are being innundated with calls

Both Lincolnshire Police and Boston Borough Council have both put out calls on social media.

Boston Borough Council said: “Our business rates department is currently working hard in preparation of getting the government funding to businesses. Everyone will be notified in due course.

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“Please refrain from calling our offices if you can, we are working as fast as we can.”

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Meanwhile Lincolnshire Police said it had experienced an “extremely high volume” of calls following the Prime Minister’s lockdown broadcast.

“Please don’t call 999/101 unless it’s an emergency or you need a police response,” they said.

A number of councils have closed their face-to-face service centres in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, social distancing measures and staff shortages.

West Lindsey and North Kesteven both said they had seen an increase but were able to deal with the volume. However, advice included to use online measures to contact the authority if possible.