Let’s make Rasen’s streets safe again

Councillor Steve Bunney says people living in the town must report all incidents they become aware of, and everyone must make sure they ‘support each other’.

It comes after Lincolnshire Police warned anti-social behaviour was on the rise in Market Rasen, as lockdown restrictions have been scaled back.

Coun Bunney, who is also a district councillor for Market Rasen, said: “Since the partial lifting of the lockdown restrictions last Wednesday (May 13) there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people, traffic and noisy motorbikes on our streets.

“Whilst the majority of residents have been able to continue their friendly way of life with socially distanced queues, chats, walks, bike rides etc.., sadly this has not been the case for all.

“In recent days there has been an increase in anti social behaviour incidents that have been reported on to the council and police.

“These include incidents of queue jumping, large gatherings of people, insults, unacceptably loud music and pedestrians and cyclists ending their exercise prematurely early because they feel in danger from passing motor vehicles.

“To help counter this we as residents need to continue supporting and helping each other by ensuring if we see or become aware of anything untoward, any upset or offended person we respond appropriately.”

Coun Bunney is encouraging residents to ‘provide a friendly face’ to others, inform the Market Rasen Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, call the Town Council on 01673 842479 and the police on 101 (999 in emergencies).

He is also encouraging residents to contact himself, as a district councillor, on 07506188570 or [email protected].

Resident Peter Dixon said: “The way I see it, is that the police station needs to be reopened and manned 24hrs a day.

“Get tough with these anti-social miscreants. The police have a very tough job as it is.”

Danielle Curzon said residents around the King Street area have to deal with anti-social behaviour ‘every night’.

Ms Curzon said it was ‘like there never was a lockdown in King Street’.

She said: “My CCTV has footage of certain residents being out at least eight times a day whilst full lockdown was on.

“A lot of the time in the middle of the night shouting and swearing up the street.

“The new Inspector Gail Hurley is very good and hopefully can get this under control.”

On May 13, at about 4.30pm, police received reports that a number of young men and women were shouting and swearing in the street and being abusive to other members of the public, in the Market Place and King Street area.

Despite comments on social media sites, police say they have ‘no credible evidence’ that any weapons were carried by anyone involved.

Inspector Gail Hurley, the local Policing Inspector, said: “The local community in Market Rasen are experiencing a rise in anti-social behaviour which is unacceptable.

“We all need to be considerate to our neighbours and incidents such as the one on Wednesday are unacceptable and we will not tolerate this behaviour.

“If anyone has any information they should call us.

“Our local officers are on patrol and will be focussing their efforts on dealing and resolving unacceptable behaviour.”

Police say they are investigating an offence of affray.

They have already spoken to a number of witnesses and ask that if anyone has information and has not spoken to local officers already to contact them on 101 quoting incident 289 of 13 May.

Lincolnshire Police said they had ‘nothing to add’ in relation to residents’ specific concerns about King Street.