Police boss defends ‘hard working’ officers as councillor sparks vigilantism claims

Town councillor Alan Lockwood launched a stinging attack on police and claimed residents and business owners are afraid to report offences because of fears of reprisals.

In an email sent to the News - and Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones – Coun Lockwood accuses the police of not doing enough to tackle what he says is the ‘lawlessness blighting our town.’

He warns that unless officers crackdown, people will start to take action themselves.

However, Inspector Sarah Constantine has hit back, stressing officers are working harder than ever.

She conceded police are under pressure because of the impact of Covid-19 - and cuts in budgets.

She maintained Horncastle is one of the safest places in the county and only one incident of ASB had been reported – before a recent incident which saw two properties in the town centre vandalised.

Insp Constantine told the News: “Officers face constant demand and it is difficult to sometimes meet public expectations when they are being asked to deal firstly and foremost with incidents of high risk such as domestic abuse, mental health, high risk missing persons and concern for welfare where peoples’ lives are at risk.

“In addition, they are asked to support vulnerable members of our community who have fallen victim of financial crime and scams and this all takes time.

“The reality is we just cannot be everywhere, dealing with everything all at the same time.

“However, every officer is committed to doing the best they can in these difficult times and we have to prioritise what incidents pose the most risk.

“The Covid pandemic has made our jobs more difficult and we are having to deal with people breaching regulations - on top of what we normally do - and trying to keep our communities safe from those who do not care that their actions put others at risk and stretch all emergency resources to their limits.”

Insp Constantine went on to highlight how budget cuts had made significant impact.

She added: “I would like more officers to cover the whole of my area, not just Horncastle.

“Local officers do give a very good level of service, despite the intense pressure put on the them due to the high demand versus resources available.

“Over the last few years, due to funding, the numbers of officers has fallen nationally and in a small force like Lincolnshire the loss of even a few officers has a significant impact.

“This is something that the PCC and ‘Chief Officer Group’ are very well aware of and this is why they do fight for increased funding for Lincolnshire, which receives one of the lowest levels of Government funding per head of population across the country.

“Despite this, we have a significantly lower level of crimes and ASB when you compare it with similar forces and the Wolds area also has one of the lowest levels of crime and ASB in the county.

“I am sure the PCC would appreciate the support of the town council (Horncastle) to obtain the fair funding formula review which has long been necessary to improve the funding Lincolnshire receives.”

Insp Constantine revealed a multi-agency approach was key to tackling ASB and she also welcomed the recruitment of the latest batch of 240 trainee officers.

She added: “These officers are really needed to support the ones already in post who are feeling under pressure with the demands of modern policing during a pandemic.”

Coun Lockwood wrote his email after a recent incident which included windows being smashed in Banks Street.

He added: “Yet again, Horncastle is being blighted by anti-social behaviour.

“These windows had been vandalised before and it is apparent that intimidation is once again stalking the town.

“Residents are extremely reluctant to report anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, littering and speeding vehicles due to the intimidation and damage they and their properties receive from these law breakers.

“You (Insp Constantine) repeatedly stated that you are investigating and action will be taken but it is well known that offenders remain in the town and nothing is being done to stop the lawlessness.

“Lincolnshire Police and in particular you and your neighbourhood team are failing Horncastle.

“I have warned before that unless you act, matters could very well result in people taking action into their own hands.

“A lack of proper investigations and an unwillingness to work to rid the town of these people and make people feel safe do you no service. “

Insp Constantine countered by stating that until Banks Street, only one other recent incident of ASB had been reported.

In regard to Banks Street, she confirmed investigations were continuing but added it impossible to say whether the same offenders were involved.

Insp Constantine urged the public to report issues.

She added: “We do take all matters reported to us seriously and there have been extra patrols in the town since the recent incident.

“However, we do need evidence to take matters to court.

“It is not enough for someone to say they know who is responsible.”

Here is Inspector Constantine’s statement in full:

I can confirm that there was some damage to two properties just after 8pm on Tuesday 23/02/21 Incident 404 23/02/21 crime reference 21000107939 refers, this matter is still under investigation and if any one has any information or evidence in relation to this matter please contact the police on 101, online or via crime stoppers.

CCTV images have been circulated of the individuals involved in this damage to the community on social media.

The last incident in relation to damage in the town took place in August last year, and two people were arrested for this damage and one charged to court for the damage.

I am really saddened to see that the same properties have been subjected to further damage especially given the hardships our local businesses are already suffering, officers have been out to discuss this with the owners, at this time we cannot say if these incidents of damage are linked but this is still under investigation.

Prior to last week we have had one reported incident of vehicle ASB reported to us. We do take all matters reported to us seriously and there have been extra patrols in the town since the issue has been recently highlighted. That said the town centre is regularly patrolled by local officers and traffic officers at all times of day and night, if offences are witnessed by officers or reported to us then they are dealt with where there is evidence to do so.

We do need evidence to take matters to court, and it is the court that will provide the appropriate sanctions to those who commit offences. We do use information provided to us to target those who commit offences.

Recently two individuals have been arrested for drug driving and are going to court for this, several others have been stopped in the locality for various traffic offences including which are also going through court process.

We are very willing to prosecute offences, but do have to have evidence to do this that reaches the criminal burden of proof for prosecution, which is beyond all reasonable doubt.

It is not enough for someone to say they know who is responsible to take someone to court, there has to be tangible evidence that shows that an individual is responsible for an offence.

But that information if provided will enable us to undertake targeting of persistent offenders, which we do and continue to do so people can always report this via crime stoppers.

Once matters are put to CPS and go before the court, it is down to the magistrate or judge to apply the appropriate sentence following guidelines set nationally in relation to the tariffs that should be applied.

Only for extremely serious offences that are dealt with by crown courts, is a custodial sentence likely to be applied.

This means that persistent offenders have to be dealt with on each occasion they commit an offence, and the same evidential burden exists to prove the offence beyond all reasonable doubt.

Whilst I understand that this may be frustrating, this does not meant that the Police have not taken action against that individual.

In addition those individuals are entitled to a fair trial at court where all of the evidence is presented, making any comment about individuals prior to court could impact on an impartial trial and undermine the prosecution leading to a trial being discontinued.

Whilst I too would like more officers to cover the whole of my area, not just Horncastle.

The local officers and neighbourhood team do give a very good level of service despite the intense pressure put on the officers due to the high demand versus resources available.

Over the last few years due to funding the numbers of officers have fallen nationally and in a small force like Lincolnshire the loss of even a few officers has a significant impact.

This is something that the PCC and Chief officer group are very well aware of and this is why they do fight for increased funding for Lincolnshire, which receives one of the lowest levels of government funding per head of population across the country.

Despite this we have a significantly lower level of crimes and ASB when you compare it with similar forces and the Wolds area also has one of the lowest levels of crime and ASB in the county.

I am sure the PCC would appreciate the support of the town council to obtain the fair funding formula review which has long been necessary to improve the funding Lincolnshire Police receive.

Officers face constant demand, and it is difficult to sometimes meet public expectations, when they are being asked to deal firstly and foremost with incidents of high risk such as domestic abuse, mental health, high risk missing persons and concern for welfare where peoples lives are at risk.

In addition they are asked to support vulnerable members of our community who have fallen victim of financial crime and scams and this all takes time.

The reality is we just cannot be everywhere, dealing with everything all at the same time, but every officer is committed to doing the best they can in these difficult times and we have to prioritise what incidents pose the most risk.

On top of this the COVID pandemic has made our jobs more difficult, and we are having to deal with people breaching COVID regulations on top of what we normally do and trying to keep our communities safe from those who do not care that their actions put others at risk and stretch all emergency resources to their limits.

We are working closely with the town council, ELDC and partner agencies to address issues, who are all supporting us to use a multi-agency approach across the Wolds neighbourhood area, and we do use all available civil and criminal legislation to target offenders.

There are also options to those who would wish to support the Police by working with us, we do have a community speed watch which has proven very effective in other areas, we are always seeking volunteers to assist and support to free up our officers and we encourage people to apply to be special constables.

Lincolnshire Police have had a recruitment of 240 officers within 2 years, 60 of which have started their training today.

These officers are really needed to support the ones already in post who are feeling under pressure with the demands of modern policing, during a pandemic.