Mayor says council 'not satisfied' after police answer questions on Skegness break-ins

The issue was raised at the first full council meeting chaired by Coun Kirk since becoming Mayor.

Ahead of the meeting, Coun Kirk had submitted a series of questions to Lincolnshire Police after being contacted by a local business owner concerned about burglaries and break-ins affecting premises in the town centre and on Drummond Road.

Responding to the questions, police said incidents are prioritised by the Force Control Room based on "threat, harm and risk", with factors such as whether offenders remain on scene and the wider risk to the community taken into account.

On concerns about multiple break-ins occurring within a short period, police said they carry out regular analysis to identify crime patterns and develop coordinated responses, adding that any immediate deployment is determined by the level of threat, harm and risk at the time.

Police also said their crime reduction team can visit businesses to offer crime prevention advice and target hardening measures, while community beat officers conduct regular foot patrols and engage with businesses.

Victims of crime should expect agreed contact from investigating officers, police said, with updates provided at least every 28 days unless there is a significant development in the investigation.

Addressing concerns about recent break-ins, police revealed a suspect has been arrested and remains on bail in connection with two linked offences. Officers said further enquiries are continuing into other incidents which are not believed to be connected.

Police also stated that analysis of crime reports received during the previous 28 days showed four reports of business or commercial burglaries in Skegness as of June 3.

Responding to Coun Kirk's question about resources being used to police protests and marches, Lincolnshire Police said such events are often planned in advance and can be staffed using officers from other areas and specialist departments.

The force representative added that they would be happy to discuss Coun Kirk's concerns further but was unable to attend the meeting because of competing demands.

However, Coun Kirk said councillors were not fully satisfied with the responses provided and agreed to seek further clarification from the force.

The Mayor told the Skegness Standard: "The council wasn't satisfied with the response."

Among the additional questions expected to be put to police are requests for details of how many officers are carrying out foot patrols in Skegness, where those patrols take place and when they are undertaken.

Councillors also want to know what role trainee officers based at the new police training centre are playing locally and how police control room staff based in Lincoln access and utilise CCTV footage from the Boston monitoring centre when incidents occur in Skegness.

The issue is expected to remain on the council's agenda as members continue to press for reassurance over policing and business crime in the resort.