Combined efforts to tackle vandalism and drug misuse on Sleaford’s railway station

Action is being taken to deal with reports of young people being involved in criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the railway station and Nags Head Passage areas of Sleaford.
Sleaford railway station. EMN-210315-124614001Sleaford railway station. EMN-210315-124614001
Sleaford railway station. EMN-210315-124614001

Lincolnshire Police, North Kesteven District Council, East Midlands Railway and British Transport Police are working together to address crime and safety concerns raised by incidents in the area including 10 reports of criminal damage

at the station since December.

British Transport Police Sergeant Charlotte Greig said: “A number of windows on the overbridge at the station have been damaged and this caused a danger to station staff and other passengers. People are also gathering in the station to

socialise, despite Covid regulations, and this can be intimidating to other station users.

“In addition to crime and anti-social behaviour at the station we are in the process of reporting two 16-year-olds for trespass, having found them beside live railway lines – actions which could have resulted in them being seriously injured or killed.

“Working with local community police officers, North Kesteven District Council’s community safety officers and East Midlands Railway, we are in the process of identifying those involved, serving anti-social behaviour notices and we will

prosecute those responsible for serious offences,” she said.

“We are also investigating reports of illegal drug use and would urge parents and carers to check where young people are hanging out.”

Coun Sally Tarry, the lead for Community Safety at North Kesteven District Council, said it was sad in these challenging times that a group of young people were behaving in such a dangerous way.

“A very proactive approach is being taken by the agencies to resolve this issue and I hope that this will send a clear message that this type of behaviour is not acceptable and this is especially the case when the country is in lockdown.

“We will continue to work with other agencies and these young people to ensure they understand the impact their behaviour has had on our communities so that there are no further problems.,” she said.

“However, we would ask that if people do experience a crime or witness anti-social behaviour that they report it.”

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Mark Hillson said the Sleaford Neighbourhood Policing Team had been working with British Transport Police to identify people involved in recent incidents at the railway station and there had also been a joint county-wide operation led by BTP to target use of the railway by those involved in drug dealing and carrying weapons.

“Officers have increased patrols in the area around the railway station, including Nags Head Passage, and have been speaking with the community to fully understand the experience of local residents.

“The team are also working closely with North Kesteven District Council on longer term preventative measures against those who seek to commit offences and anti-social behaviour in Sleaford,” said Insp Hillson.

Anyone with information about criminal behaviour at Sleaford Railway Station or while travelling on the trains can call British Transport Police on 0800 405040, text BTP on 61016 or pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For issues not related to the railway please contact the police on 01522 532222