The Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel met on Friday 25 September 2026 to discuss the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and receive an update on complaints. Key discussions included the recruitment and deployment of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), improvements to 999 response times, and strategies for tackling fraud and retail crime.

Police and Crime Plan Delivery Update

The meeting received a comprehensive update on the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan for Lincolnshire 2025-2029. Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dr Patricia Haggerty provided an overview of national and local issues impacting policing.

Recruitment and Deployment of PCSOs: A significant focus was placed on the recruitment and deployment of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The panel was informed that the force had recruited back up to 50 PCSOs, the highest number they have been able to directly fund. These PCSOs are undergoing district-based tutoring and have had their training enhanced with the Neighbourhood Professionalisation Programme (NPP). This programme aims to equip them with advanced skills in tackling anti-social behaviour, problem-solving, and preventative policing, and will provide formal accreditation. The return of neighbourhood officers, who were temporarily redeployed as part of Operation Glidepath, alongside the new PCSOs, is expected to increase the visibility and capacity of neighbourhood teams. The new Safer Neighbourhood Policing Model is also being implemented to provide greater flexibility in resource deployment based on crime and harm levels.

999 Response Times: The panel discussed the performance of 999 call response times. While Lincolnshire Police had previously ranked highly nationally, performance had declined due to increased call volumes and staff vacancies. Recruitment efforts are underway, and an improvement in response times is anticipated from January 2027. The PCC acknowledged that this decline was due to a perfect storm of factors, including a significant increase in calls during peak summer periods and a reduction in police officer numbers. The force is also investing in technology, such as a rapid video response team, to improve efficiency and reduce demand on response policing.

Tackling Fraud and Retail Crime: The report highlighted ongoing efforts to combat fraud and retail crime. A dedicated Volume Fraud Team is being established, and existing initiatives such as fraud clinics and a Force Control Room (FCR) Toolkit are in place to improve investigative standards and victim support. The PCC emphasised the importance of prevention and community resilience, noting that while 8,000 fraud and scams prevention packs had been distributed, more could be done to reach every household. The force is also working with retailers to improve reporting processes for retail crime, aiming to reduce the time taken to report incidents.

Road Safety and Rural Crime: The integration of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) and the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) under the Local Policing Command was discussed, aiming to better reflect local policing priorities. Efforts to improve data accessibility for neighbourhood teams and ensure community concerns are addressed were also noted. The PCC highlighted the challenges of policing Lincolnshire's extensive road network and the importance of the Road Safety Partnership. The use of mobile speed monitoring equipment, including a police motorbike, and community speed watch schemes were mentioned as key initiatives.

Digital Forensics and Investigations: Investments in digital forensics, including the introduction of Digital Scene Investigators (DSIs), are aimed at improving the speed and quality of crime investigations. DSIs will assess and prioritise digital devices at crime scenes, reducing unnecessary submissions and speeding up the availability of digital evidence for investigators. A new Crime Standards Lead has also been appointed to enhance investigative quality and compliance.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): The PCC touched upon the paused Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme, noting that while it presented opportunities for closer working, it also posed risks of duplication and increased burden. He expressed a hope that the pause would lead to a thorough reconsideration of the plans.

Police Station Disposals: In response to a question about the disposal of former police stations, the PCC explained that buildings identified as underused by a previous Chief Constable were initially kept mothballed. However, due to a reassessment of available government funding for neighbourhood policing, a disposal programme is now underway. The process includes exploring community use options and addressing covenants on some properties.

Complaints Position Statement: The panel received an update on complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner. One complaint was received between 30 May and 11 September 2026, which was assessed as not meeting the threshold for a formal complaint.

Work Programme: The panel reviewed its work programme for 2026-27. It was agreed that a presentation on the new neighbourhood policing model would be beneficial for all councillors and independent members, and this will be arranged as a closed meeting.

Other Discussions: The meeting also touched upon the importance of the CODE programme, an initiative using theatre and storytelling to educate young people about the risks of exploitation and serious violence. The PCC expressed his commitment to this preventative approach, stating that he would consider the money well spent if it prevented even one young person from being drawn into county lines or suffering serious harm. The effectiveness of Operation Glidepath, a temporary measure to maintain essential policing functions during resource constraints, was also discussed, with the conclusion that it had successfully maintained vital services. The PCC also highlighted the ongoing work to improve the provision of fraud prevention packs and the importance of community engagement in tackling crime.