Spalding town centre issues with ‘intimidation’ spelled out as Lincolnshire Police calls for Government to boost funding to help them tackle the issue

Large numbers of people say they feel ‘intimidated’ in Spalding town centre — and police leaders have warned that looming cuts could stop them from being able to tackle the problem.

A report into a pilot scheme that has provided ‘bobbies on the beat’ in Spalding, released to LincsOnline, spells out the extent of the challenges that officials face if they want to make the town a safer and more attractive place to visit.

It shows how more than half of the respondents to a survey earlier this year said they had been intimidated on at least one occasion in the town centre — and more than 40% generally felt ‘unsafe’ or ‘very unsafe’ when coming to Spalding. More than 70% of people still feel ‘fairly worried’ or ‘worried’ about the prospect of intimidation in Spalding.

Issues identified include street drinking, the use of e-scooters, mobility scooters blocking paths, shoplifting and ‘inconsiderate behaviour’ by groups congregating together.

The addition of dedicated officers — in a scheme known as ‘hotspot policing’ — has made a difference but leading figures in the police accept there’s still work to do and worry they won’t be able to tackle that if they are forced to make huge cuts.

South Holland’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Ian Cotton said: “The hotspot policing pilot has been encouraging but there is definitely more to do.

“Lincolnshire Police remain committed to tackling anti-social behaviour across the county. However, as has been widely acknowledged, resources are limited, and we must prioritise areas where the threat, risk, and harm are greatest.

“We know that a visible presence can make a real difference, and we really want to do more. We hope the government will deliver a fairer funding formula to support increased neighbourhood policing, in line with their commitment to boost officer numbers.”

The report was drawn up for Spalding Town Board and helped to convince decision makers that the town centre bobbies must be allowed to continue. The data was backed up by a strong show of support from readers to this paper — who called for the police to carry on tackling the town centre’s issues.

The report’s findings include:

*That, earlier this year, 56% of people told a pre-pilot survey that they felt ‘intimidated in public’ in the town centre in the three months prior to being asked. About one in five suffered intimidation ‘at least three times’ in that period. The number feeling intimidated dropped to 45% after three months of a dedicated town centre presence.

*About one in eight people suffered from having a personal possession stolen at least once in the three months before the survey. That figure halved after the three-month pilot.

*Anti-social behaviour fell by 11% in the town centre area covered by the bobbies. That compares with a 46% in the wider area during that period as the force is generally facing a spike in such problems.

The sample size for the second survey was small — but it’s hoped that continuing with the officers can deliver a longer-term downward trend.

The report also notes that some issues may have increased in the figures merely by dint of having officers on hand to spot and act upon them. So, while street drinking was up the amount of times this led to ‘drunken behaviour’ fell, suggesting issues were stopped before they escalated.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones is worried about the impact that might be felt if the Government fails to listen to calls for greater investment in our police, the worst funded in the country.

He said: “Spalding is personally one of my favourite places to visit in Lincolnshire and, like the rest of the county, is amongst the safest places to live and work in the UK.

“That does not mean that either myself, or the chief constable, do not understand and accept that there are challenges to face and tackle.

“We have made no secret of the fact that meeting those challenges is becoming increasingly difficult with the level of funding Lincolnshire currently receives.

“Rather than be able to launch any new initiatives we are being forced to face the reality of cutting resources.

“Efforts continue to get the Government to recognise the county’s generational underfunding and I remain hopeful.”

A short-term £5.7 million package was agreed to stave off widespread job cuts but the long term picture remains gloomy unless the Government changes Lincolnshire’s funding formula.

It has been said that 400 roles may have to be cut — including about 200 police officers — if a deal cannot be struck.

County MPs continue to lobby ministers for a settlement to address this.

Spalding town centre’s dedicated officers — PC Marcin Pelka and Sergeant Matthew Swift — will continue for another 13 weeks, with another £40,000 agreed by the town board to pay for this. The board is made up of community, business and political figures to find a way to spend the money given to Spalding in recognition of its status as a ‘left behind town’.

The first three months of the pilot, from April, cost £37,851.30 — with £35,504.13 on the ‘operational overtime’ needed to pay for the officers and £2,247.17 on project management and admin.

The cash funded 104 ‘high visibility’ patrol shifts, totalling 487.4 hours. The officers carried out seven stop searches, made 11 arrests and used their anti-social behaviour powers on 57 occasions.

Help women feel safer in town at night in the town centre

Greater police presence and street lighting is needed to provide reassurance for concerned people using the town centre during the dark, says a resident.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, says groups of men hanging around Spalding town centre are intimidating - especially with winter on its way - and is calling for changes to help people feel safe using the area.

Spalding Town Board has committed to support the hot spot policing project in the town centre after a report showed that people were concerned but this woman feels that there should also be improvements to street lighting.

She said: “I am starting to get anxious with the dark nights coming in. There was a (social media) comment last week when a lady walking along near Ayscoughfee School when this guy approached her and made sexual comments. What if it has been someone who has is less confident?

“The street lighting in town is terrible and does the CCTV work and what do those town wardens do? Are the police still going to be coming around?

“I think it is is really important to stress that a lot of women walk to and from the car parks when it is dark and it would be be good to have the reassurance that at least there’s the presence of police around.

“I would like to see more street lighting and what is the situation with the police? Are they going to be challenging these groups of men that loiter around the town centre.

“I think we need to see police walking through the town centre so women, children and teenagers don’t feel threatened or worried.”