LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE CRIME APPEALS

Police station contact numbers for people with information:

Grantham Police station: 01476 402222
Spalding Police Station: 01775 722233
Stamford Police Station: 01780 752222
Bourne Police Station: 01778 394892

SOUTH DIVISION SPALDING SECTOR

SOUTH DIVISION BOURNE SECTOR

SOUTH DIVISION GRANTHAM SECTOR

SOUTH DIVISION STAMFORD SECTOR

Police station contact numbers for people with information:  

Boston Police Station - 01205 366222 
Horncastle Police Station - 01507 472222
Louth Police Station - 01507 604744 
Mablethorpe Police Station - 01507 472222 
Skegness Police Station 01754 762222

EAST DIVISION BOSTON SECTOR 

EAST DIVISION SKEGNESS SECTOR
 

EAST DIVISION LOUTH & MABLETHORPE SECTOR

EAST DIVISION HORNCASTLE SECT

Police station contact numbers for people with information:

Lincoln Police Station - 01522 882222
Sleaford Police Station - 01529 302420
Gainsborough Police Station - 01427 810910
Market Rasen Police Station - 01673 842212
Bracebridge Heath Police Station 015522 805718

WEST DIVISION LINCOLN

Landmark year for crime charity

Crimestoppers aims to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the best way possible – by taking its one millionth telephone call to its freephone number 0800 555 111.

Since it began, calls to Crimestoppers have resulted in more than 80,000 arrests and charges. Over £100 million worth of property has been recovered and nearly £150 million worth of drugs.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of the information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.

It was set up following the Tottenham riots in the 1980s, and the brutal murder of PC Keith Blakelock on the Broadwater Farm Estate in London. International businessman Michael Ashcroft (now Lord Ashcroft) offered a reward for information that would lead to the killers. He also brought together a group of like-minded business people who were determined to do something positive to stem the rising levels of crime in Britain.

Gradually, plans took shape and in January 1988 Lord Ashcroft and his friends from the world of business and the media launched the Community Action Trust - re-named Crimestoppers in 1995.

Today Crimestoppers is recognised as a safe and secure way to report crime anonymously. Free calls can be made from landlines and are handled by trained members of staff at the Crimestoppers call centre. Callers are never asked who they are, but simply what they know.

Anonymity is guaranteed. The police never know the name of the caller because Crimestoppers do not have the name to pass on.  At the same time there are safeguards in place to ensure police time isn't being wasted following up malicious information.

Rewards are payable through Crimestoppers by means of code words. Surprisingly, very few rewards are ever claimed by the callers. Most people see making the call as doing their public duty.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations Crimestoppers has completed work on a revamp of its website.

The search functionality for the popular 'Most Wanted' section  - where visitors can help solve crimes - has been vastly improved. Visitors to the site can now search by crime type, region, postcode and specific appeal.

Crimestoppers has 39 Volunteers Boards across the UK to promote campaigns and events in their local area. Representatives from Neighbourhood Watch are among the 400 volunteers who sit on the regional boards.

Numerous events are planned to mark the charity's 20th anniversary and raise money for local crime reduction projects. To find out more about Crimestoppers events in your area, click www.crimestoppers-uk.org

POLICE WARN PUBLIC TO BE TO THEIR GUARD FOR ROGUE TRADERS

Police in the south of the county are warning residents to be on their guard for rogue traders who have been operating in the area.  They would particularly like to hear from anyone who has been approached by a company claiming to be Britannia Builders.  They use a W reg white Mercedes Sprinter van with ladders on the roof.  It's believed that the van has a removable sign on it with the firm's name and logo on.  They may be approaching homeowners pointing out and offering to repair poor workmanship.

Using this tactic, they have already entered one home in Long Sutton and stolen a quantity of cash. Police would like to hear from anyone who has been approached by these, or any other builders in this manner.  It is unlikely that reputable builders would 'cold call' on people in this way, and therefore anyone who does this should arouse suspicion. 

Police stress that householders should not let unknown callers into their homes, whether they appear to be traders or officials.  These people can be very convincing, but please remember to check credentials. Genuine callers will have no objections to waiting whilst you do this.  Anyone with information relating to these builders is asked to contact D.C. Alan Jesson at Spalding Police Station, on 01775 722233.