Lincolnshire Police calling for the public to report problems to them - and set out priorities for South Holland

Police officers are urging the public to report problems to them rather post about them on social media.

Raiding cannabis farms and stopping motorists from ignoring road signs are among the problems tackled by neighbourhood beat teams.

Every quarter the teams outline what their priorities will be for the next three months in order to improve the communities they serve.

However officers are urging the public to report issues to them - rather than on social media.

The Suttons beat team, which covers Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge and Gedney Hill, will continue to concentrate on tackling drug problems until March.

Cannabis farms were discovered in Sutton St James and Sutton Bridge - but officers PC Paul Freeman and PSCO Dave Walker are appealing for people to report issues.

The team’s social media post states: “Please don’t expect someone else to inform us about drug use. Please report this to us yourself if you care about your community and want to help us to help you. It appears that members of our community are happy to post on social media regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour and crimes and not inform us via 101. Please call 101 to report issues to us. If we don’t know we can’t help.”

Anti-social behaviour in Moulton Chapel will be the focus for the next three months for the Spalding Rural East team.

Officers, who cover Fosdyke, Saracen’s Head, Moultons and Weston, say they have received reports of vehicle damage and nuisance behaviour in the village.

The Spalding Rural East social media post stated: “Our last policing priority was Beggars Bush Lane/Broadgate, Weston contravening a no-entry sign.

“In the previous three months, PC Jon Cummins has issued 11 tickets, and one person reported.

“PCSO Fylippa Bennett attended reports of online fraud in the Cowbit area.”

While their colleagues in Holbeach are working to tackle issues with theft in the town to prevent people entering the system.

The team’s social media post stated: “Anecdotal reports from several local stores raised concerns about the number of thefts they were having on a regular basis, especially by young people.

“Many of these go unreported for several reasons. Staff unable/unwilling to intervene, lack of confidence in the police or justice system that it’s not worth them reporting to us as the cost of the stolen goods are minimal.

“Taking the stolen items from the thief and letting them go does nothing to prevent them from doing it again.

“We are looking to work with local stores and other agencies to identify those who are actively stealing and find out why and what we can do to stop the suspect from entering the criminal justice system and signposting them to agencies who can help.”

The team, which is made up of PC Jon Cummins and PSCO Jayne Gardner also add that they have been working on licensing with Trading Standards.

The statement goes onto say: “Overall, we have seen some great examples of diligent businesses operating in a responsible manner.

“We have discovered several premises operating in a less responsible manner and enforcement action has been taken.

“We have seized large quantities of illegal vapes from stores across the region and illicit alcohol. These products are not only dangerous to the consumer but have not had the correct duty paid on them.

“We have gathered evidence and referred several premises to Immigration Enforcement after finding persons without the correct right to work. Following one of our visits, and subsequent action from our colleagues in Alcohol Licensing, one store has lost its right to sell alcohol.”