The Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Boston Council met on Thursday 01 October 2026 to discuss a range of issues including antisocial behaviour, crime, and the council's performance. Key decisions and discussions focused on new legislation to tackle begging and trespassing, the effectiveness of interventions for young people involved in antisocial behaviour, and the council's performance across various indicators.

Antisocial Behaviour and Crime Policing

The committee discussed amendments to antisocial behaviour and crime policing, specifically the replacement provisions for the Vagrancy Act 1824. These new offences aim to address gaps in enforcement powers following the repeal of the old act. The discussion clarified that while vagrancy itself is decriminalised, facilitating organised begging for gain and aggressive or harassing behaviour remain offences. The council is also introducing respect orders as a new tool to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Concerns were raised about aggressive cycling in the town centre, particularly by individuals wearing hoodies, making identification difficult. While face coverings cannot be banned, officers confirmed that other methods, including CCTV and behavioural analysis, can be used to identify and address such behaviour. The council is working with highways to clarify signage regarding where cycling is permitted in the town centre to improve safety for pedestrians.

The issue of motorbikes causing a nuisance was also raised, with Inspector Button confirming that a number of motorbikes had been seized over the summer as part of targeted operations.

Interventions for Young People and Domestic Abuse Policy

The committee received an update on interventions involving young people, with a significant proportion of Stage 1 and Stage 2 interventions being for young individuals. The council's approach is described as incremental, starting with advice letters and escalating to more direct engagement if behaviour persists. The Beyond project, which aims to work with young people on the edge of antisocial behaviour, was discussed, with a commitment to measure its outcomes over the next year.

A developing domestic abuse policy for employees was also highlighted. This policy aims to provide support to council staff who may be experiencing or know someone experiencing domestic abuse, mirroring the support offered to the public.

Vehicle Seizures and Drone Legislation

The discussion touched upon the seizure of vehicles, with clarification that this includes e-bikes and electric scooters, although the legal framework for these is complex. Officers acknowledged the difficulty in dedicating resources to tackle e-scooter use due to competing priorities but confirmed that operations are launched when specific, dangerous issues arise.

Regarding drones, it was noted that there is specific drone legislation, but officers admitted a gap in their knowledge of the specifics. Residents experiencing nuisance from drones flying over their houses were encouraged to report these incidents to their neighbourhood policing team, who can access expertise within the force.

Noisy Exhausts and Shoplifting

The persistent issue of drivers with excessively noisy and illegal exhausts was raised, particularly in the cultural quarter. While police are aware of the problem and have officers trained to measure exhaust noise levels, tackling this issue is resource-dependent. The council is continuing to look for opportunities to address these vehicles when resources allow.

The problem of shoplifting was discussed, with Inspector Cotton reporting a decrease in Boston due to Operation Continence, a partnership operation involving days of action and improved systems for tackling repeat offenders. However, concerns were raised by councillors and shop staff about underreporting due to a perceived lack of action. The council is working to build trust with businesses and encourage reporting, with a commitment to refresh victim impact statements to better represent the effect of shoplifting on independent businesses.

Drug Dealing and Agency Collaboration

Concerns were raised about persistent drug dealing in broad daylight in certain areas, with questions about the effectiveness of agencies working together. While CCTV and community safety officers are aware of individuals involved, the current approach of simply moving them on was questioned. The council is working to improve intelligence sharing and problem-solving approaches to target persistent offenders more effectively.

Princess Royal Sports Arena and Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre Maintenance

The maintenance issues at the Princess Royal Sports Arena and the Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre were a significant point of discussion. Councillors expressed frustration over long repair times for facilities such as showers, drinking fountains, swimming pools, saunas, and spas. The council acknowledged these concerns and has introduced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor leisure facility performance and ensure value for money, particularly with a new contract approaching.

Annual Scrutiny Report and Work Programme

The committee reviewed the annual scrutiny report for 2025-26, which detailed the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A suggestion was made to include achievements and the outcomes of recommendations in future reports, rather than just discussions. The ongoing issue of portfolio holders not attending scrutiny meetings was also raised, with a commitment from the Chair to address this.

The committee also reviewed its work programme and forward plan, noting upcoming items for future meetings and the need to amend the policy review framework in light of local government reorganisation.