Spalding inspector Matt Dickinson seconded onto Lincolnshire Police task force exploring how to cope with meagre resources as officer cuts loom
A town police inspector will be taking on the thorny challenge of finding a way to keep communities safe in spite of the cash-strapped force’s budget pressures.
Lincolnshire Police - the worst funded in the country - is facing the prospect of having to cut 200 officers and 200 back office staff due to a £14million financial blackhole in its budget.
And one of the people who has been brought in to find solutions to the financial crisis is South Holland’s Inspector Matt Dickinson, who has been seconded into a task force for up to six months.
He will be handing over control of South Holland’s policing to Insp Ian Cotton — who is in charge of Boston — while he is away.
Insp Dickinson has been very visible since he took over the reins over a year ago by being seen out at important operations — and listening to people’s concerns about anti-social behaviour.
A force spokesman said: “Insp Dickinson has been seconded to a piece of work and into a team that is dedicated to looking at delivering a financially sustainable model of policing that protects the public and keeps communities safe.
“He, of course, has made a huge positive impact in South Holland but temporarily hands the reins over to Insp Cotton, who is looking forward to getting started and getting to know the communities he’ll be serving during this three to six-month secondment and who we have no doubt will have the same positive influence in the area.”
In the latest South Holland Police newsletter, Insp Dickinson thanked the community for coming together following the tragic murders of Kristine Sparane and Vadims Zmicerevskis in November last year.
He wrote in the newsletter: “In a few months time we will have additional staff joining the team to further bolster resources which will really transform out visibility as the year progresses. I also continue to look for ways we can increase visibility working alongside other policing teams such as the British Transport Police and other agencies, partners and charities.
"As we navigate the challenges we are facing in force with funding constraints in the coming years, we’re aware of the importance that local policing has and how it is at the heart of our communities. I will be focussing specifically on this work in the coming months, and Insp Ian Cotton who looks after Boston will take the reins in South Holland, supported by the existing excellent local team.
"The only thing left to say is thank you for your continued support and I look forward to working with the community over the coming year, continuing to tackle the behaviours that impact you the most’.
Tackling anti-social behaviour in Spalding has once again been listed as a priority for the team.
An update in the newsletter states: “A large survey conducted by Insp Dickinson has identified continued negative public perception and concern around anti-social behaviour within the PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order) area in Spalding. Additional concerns have been raised around drug use, specifically public toilets. This priority will continue and we will ensure all offending behaviours are tackled.”
The survey received a total of 291 responses. The majority of respondents said that they had witnessed anti-social behaviour but would not report it due to lack of confidence that something would happen.
The newsletter adds: “Lincolnshire Police graded 2.11 out of 5 in terms of our response. The rationale behind the grade when reading the free text is the lack of resource as opposed to lack of trust and confidence of local officers.”
Officers are putting plans in place to tackle the issue and hope to give a presentation to South Holland District Council.
