Calls for action after weekend of ASB in Horncastle and surrounding areas

Wolds NPT Inspector, Sarah Constantine, says that police officers are doing all they can to address ongoing issues in Horncastle and further afield.

She added that although she appreciates it can be frustrating, officers are limited in what they can do if incidents are not reported via 101/999.

It comes as there were four separate arson/suspicious behaviour incidents which all took place on the same evening in the Horncastle/Louth area.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for information following several arsons and suspicious incidents across the Wolds, reported to us on Friday (August 15).

“The incidents are:

• Several recycling bins burnt on Chapel Lane, Scamblesby. (Incident 562 of August 15 refers).

• Bins set alight at Upper Glebe Farm, Fulletby, near Horncastle. (Incident 564 of August 15 refers).

• Males seen getting out of a van and approaching a bale stack while holding canisters, at around 9pm, in Bridge Road, Somersby. (Incident 522 of August 15 refers).

• Deliberate ignition of a farm barn containing hay bales, at Covenham Road, Yarburgh, at around 10.30pm. (Incident 580 of August 15 refers).

Insp Constantine said: “There is an ongoing investigation into all of the incidents, and we would appreciate any information in relation to these.”

If you have any information, call 101 quoting the relevant crime reference number or email [email protected] quoting the relevant crime reference number in the subject line of your email.

Town councillors Alan Lockwood and Richard Barker contacted Insp Constantine after several further incidents in Horncastle including damage to a shop window and damage to Horncastle Community Centre.

Coun Lockwood said: “Dear Inspector Constantine - it seems your Community Policing model is not working.

“For the fifth consecutive Friday night into Saturday morning Horncastle has yet again been terrorised by the minority.

“Windows smashed in Banks Street, Horncastle Community Centre vandalised and yes I know you caught one of the suspects and I hope he is dealt with quickly and comprehensively but somehow I doubt it.

“Due to the lack of an ability to keep these people in order I imagine he’s back in Horncastle plotting the next steps he has in mind to persecute those who have the nerve to report them.

“I request you look at your policing model and tell me, and the town, how you are going to deal with this problem.

“People are also gathering at various points in the town, in cars suitably equipped with loud exhaust noise to race through the town.

“On August 15, I had several cars race up West Street at speeds I estimate exceeding 70mph, before turning at the traffic lights and racing back into town again.

“I felt this was a distinct hazard to life.

“I’m afraid policing in Horncastle at the moment is a joke.

“The closure notices recently served to close down trouble making properties has had little effect.

“The inability of the police to deal with these people who make life a misery for the majority is a result of poor prioritisation of the problem by the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Coun Barker added: “There is a total lack of police presence in the town at all times, no police cars visible around the town centre, there has been a serious escalation of bad driving, ASB problems and criminal damage.

“Police are also not dealing with the growing drug problem and the increase of alcohol-fuelled crime, and rehousing evicted people opposite the flat they were evicted from cannot be right.

“Police need to review urgently how they police Horncastle, as to date their presence is nil.

“A crack down on undesirable elements in Horncastle needs to be dealt with, applying a zero tolerance approach, before this escalates to even more unacceptable and life-threatening levels.

“There is a growing perception, that what was a peaceful market town, is becoming an undesirable place to be and this has to be changed.”

In a statement, Wolds NPT Inspector Sarah Constantine said: “I have met with Coun Barker and updated him on the reported damage and vehicle ASB and I am arranging to meet with Coun Lockwood.

“As always I am grateful for the support from the public and the town council.

“Every live incident that is reported to us is assessed by the FCR and available resources are deployed where necessary given the level of risk posed to the public.

“Given that we have finite resources, this assessment is crucial to ensure that those incidents that cause the greatest risk of harm are resourced.

“I would ask that matters are reported to us via 101. There may be a delay if there is a high volume of calls at that particular time but we do try and answer the phone as quickly as possible.

“Extra staff have been brought in to assist as we have been experiencing a higher volume of calls than normal.

“Response officers and Neighbourhood Policing teams are regularly on patrol in Horncastle and the Wolds at, and we have worked and continue to work hard to deal with ASB, by using the current powers and legislation that we have available to us and our partners.

“Officers where available will be deployed to deal with ASB at the time they are reported.

“All of the offences referred to are under investigation.

“Officers were deployed within minutes of the offences being reported and arrests have been made where we have evidence to do so.

“The latest damage took place in the early hours of 15/08/20.

“Incident 55 relates to damage to shop windows on the Bull Ring and incident 63 relates to damage to windows on the High Street.

There has also been damage to Horncastle Community Centre windows (reference 20000424610).

“In relation to bad driving, I would ask the public to provide as much detail as possible to us including the registration.

“Your local policing team do understand how upsetting these issues are and we share your concerns about those individuals who have little regard for everyone else.

“Police are not responsible for housing issues when people are evicted from their homes by either the courts or their landlords, and have no say in where people choose to live or where they are housed by either private landlords or housing providers.

“Any criminal investigation is time-consuming and in each case we need to obtain as much evidence as possible to proceed, including CCTV, forensic evidence and witness testimonies.

“Any potential suspects have to be interviewed and given the opportunity to give an account and the police have a duty to review this account and if necessary make further enquiries.

“It is not necessary in every case for those suspects to be arrested for those enquiries to take place.

“Once the evidence is gathered then this has to be reviewed by the officer and a supervisor to see if there is sufficient evidence to proceed on a criminal evidence threshold, and the case may then be passed on to CPS.

“All of this takes time and we are all innocent until proven guilty.

“It is our human right to have allegations made against us thoroughly investigated.

“Police have to be proportionate in any response that they make when dealing with crime and ensure that we are there for our community.”