Holbeach is set to become a much safer place to shop and run a business – thanks to a new Shopwatch scheme.

Following on from the success of the scheme in Spalding, which now boasts 32 businesses working together to alert others of shoplifting activity, 12 businesses in Holbeach have already signed up, with others “waiting to see how things go”.

Stuart Brotherton, co-ordinator of the scheme which is supported by Spalding and District Chamber of Commerce, said he is “ecstatic about the take-up.”

He said: “It’s a fantastic scheme because it brings everyone together and gets shop owners communicating.

“In Spalding you can have 22 of the 32 shops in the scheme signing in on their radios in the morning, which is much better than a year ago when I took on the role.

“Because it’s open mic everyone is alerted immediately if anything kicks off. Our partnership with the police means anyone who is banned from entering a shop and understands that but commits theft is now classed as trespassing and could face a burglary charge. That is a real deterrent to anyone who thinks it’s a joke.”

Thirty-six people are on the ‘banned’ list in Spalding, but last month there was only one recorded act of shoplifting - a real result when the national cost of theft to retailers is estimated to be £750million.

Retailers are expected to go ‘live’ after the new CCTV system is launched in September. Members include Tescos, Boyes and Boots, as well as independents such as Holbeach Wholefoods and The Flower Basket. They will be at Tescos next Thursday, July 3, at 11am to promote the scheme. Email chamberbusinesswatch@btconnect.com or call 0798541146 for details.

Summer’s here and we think it’s time to feel the love. Spot the hearts in the Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press and you’ll find stories to inspire you and make you smile. Because we think there’s a lot to be proud of in South Holland...

This week we are especially loving the Red Lion Hotel in the Market Place, now the scaffolding has been removed to reveal a feshly painted exterior.

With the flower baskets going up on the Grade II listed building yesterday, it has helped transform the centre, along with work previously done at Spalding News and Thomas Cook travel agents.

Nigel Wilkins, co-owner of the family business, says he is proud of the work. He said: “We secured grants from the district council and the Heritage Lottery Fund for the windows and thought we may as well put more scaffolding up and paint the outside.

“We are really pleased with how it looks.”

With plans for part of the former White Hart Hotel, another Grade II listed building, and LloydsPharmacy set to move into the neighbouring ex-Wimpy burger bar, signs are looking good that the town centre is on its way to regaining its vibrancy – even before the appointment of the new town centre manager.

In the meantime, hopes are being pinned on the stunning display of hanging baskets winning a gong for the town in this year’s In Bloom contest.

Phil Scarlet, president of the Spalding and district Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “It all depends on if the sun shines on the day, but this year more shops than ever are displaying baskets.”

Residents are already feeling the love. Kevin Howlett said: “I came from London 13 years ago. It’s much cleaner and the people are so friendly around here.”

Ellen Bowman: “Spalding is a nice little town. It’s only when you return after going away that you fully realise what we have.”

Lesley Bayston, Katy Chilvers, Eydee Chilvers: “The river bank is pretty and the water taxi is lovely as it is something a bit different.”

I quite agree with Mrs Wilson’s comments on a referendum on Britain’s future in Europe (Spalding Guardian, June 19). Only the Conservative Party, in promising to have a referendum by 2017, has made a clear commitment to letting the public have their say, a policy steadfastly supported by our own MP, John Hayes.

Labour policy on the issue seems to be in disarray, Miliband has given a convoluted response to the European question. The Lib Dems seem unwilling to deal with difficulties emanating from Europe, especially the problem of excessive immigration.

UKIP claim to offer a ‘quick-fix solution’ to Europe – to simply leave. This, however, is something that it cannot achieve. UKIP would have to win a majority of Parliamentary seats (326) to secure any chance of leaving, which, frankly, is not going to happen.

Despite this, UKIP has the potential to ‘disrupt’ mainstream politics. I wonder though if it is really the desire of UKIP voters to derail any realistic chances of European reform. For this is what is likely to happen if people vote UKIP. In other words, a vote for UKIP is likely to let Labour and the Liberals in through the back door. This would surely be disastrous for Euro-sceptics, as any prospect of a referendum would be dashed.

To avoid this scenario, a Conservative vote is best. They have a good record on defending Britain’s interests in Europe. They would have sought further reform had they not been constrained by the Liberals. Therefore it is important they win a majority, enabling them to deliver on a referendum and renegotiate Britain’s role in Europe before a referendum, which could be more fruitful than a swift exit.

So to those who are thinking about enlisting in Farage’s ‘People’s Army’ I urge you to support the party that has real potential to change Europe, the Conservative Party.

Peter Darley

Spalding

As parade manager of the Spalding People’s Parade I would like to express my personal thanks to all those who made my task so much easier on the day than I could have possibly hoped.

The enthusiasm and energy shown by all participants old and young was a joy to behold and made the day all the more worthwhile for me.

I would particularly like to thank Spalding Lions, South Holland Rotary, ATC and members of the Polish community without whose help the parade would not have gone so smoothly.

I also would like to thank Inca Honor (Spalding Flower Queen), Joseph Porter and Georgie Van Dyke ( Tulipmania Prince and Princess) and Annabel Stockdale (Pinchbeck Carnival Queen) for agreeing to take part and, of course, John Hayes MP for both his support on the day and starting the parade off.

I hope that when we are organising for next year all those who were such stars this year will shine again.

Thank you all.

Bruce Alexander

Parade Manager ( The Womble!)

Spalding People’s Parade

UPDATE TUESDAY 12.30PM: A woman from Bicker who has been missing for nearly a week has been urged to get in touch with her family.

Two more images, a photograph and CCTV footage, of Diane Tytheridge, who has not been seen since Wednesday morning, have been released by police just a day after her daughter and grand-daughter flew into the UK from Australia as the search for Diane continues.

One of the images is of the last known sighting of Diane, speaking to a driver at Boston Bus Station about journeys to Skegness just before 8.40am last Wednesday.

Diane was wearing blue skinny jeans, a white T-shirt under a black fleece jacket, had her hair in a pony tail and she was carrying a blue half-moon shaped holdall.

Anyone with information should call 101 or the charity Missing People on 116 000.

UPDATE FRIDAY NOON: There has been a new and worrying development in the case of a Bicker woman who has been missing for more than two days.

A car belonging to Diane Tytheridge (60) has been found in the car park at Pescod Square, Boston, and forensic tests have led police to reveal that she got out of her car on Wednesday morning to go into town.

Police also confirmed that she was seen on CCTV heading towards John Adams Way after walking along West Street and High Street.

Anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 371 of June 25.

THURSDAY 3:35PM: Concern is rising over the welfare of a woman from Bicker who has been missing for more than a day.

Diane Tytheridge (60) hasn’t been seen since she left her home in the village before 6am yesterday to go to work at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.

However, she later got in touch with hospital staff to say she wouldn’t be coming in and nothing has been heard from Diane since then.

Police are urging Diane to call her family and let them know she is safe.

Diane is 5ft 4ins tall, slim build and with long fair hair.

She was driving a black Ford Fiesta, registration number DT03 GPT.

Anyone who has seen Diane or her vehicle should call 101, stating incident 371 of June 25.

Year 6 pupils at Holbeach Primary School smashed it when they took part in the Lincolnshire Schools Challenge.

They won second prize after winning the ‘over 150 pupils’ category and impressed judges by using a scientific process to determine the results of a high nitrogen fertilizer on potato yields and develop a gluten free chocolate muffin for coeliacs.

The pupils represented the school over two days after spending months planting, caring for, studying, dissecting, examining and cooking potatoes.

Judges were also impressed with their links with organisations such as The National Centre For Food Manufacture, Tesco head office and Coveris Labels (Wisbech).

Organised by the Education Business Partnership, the competition offered endless opportunities for fun, including visiting a farm and the Food Centre and visits from Branston Potatoes.

Carol Kenyon, teaching assistant, said: “This experience has left a lasting impression on the children as they came to understand the effort that goes into growing and producing our food.

“It was wonderful to see expressions of awe and wonder on their faces.”

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

June 9

Hazel Husband (69), of Station road, Tydd Gote. Driving without due care and attention (Tydd St Mary). £80 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 5pts.

Darren Walton (34), of Common Bank, Throckenholt. Failing to report an accident (Gedney Hill). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to stop after an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Jonathon Warfield (35), of Sharmen Way, Spalding. Speeding (Cowbit). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Thomas Hoey (81), of Bedford Row, Foul Anchor, Tydd. Driving without due care and attention (Crowland). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tony Bown, of Cranesgate South, Whaplode St Catherine. Failing to notify change in circumstances to South Holland District Council affecting entitlement to benefits. 12 months conditional discharge, £1675 compensation, £400 costs.

Ryan Lenton (21), of Tamar Court, Grantham. Criminal damage (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £100 compensation, £45 costs.

June 12

Jason Avis (20), of Money Bridge Lane, Pinchbeck. Drink driving (Pinchbeck). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Darius Liaukus (23), of The Featherworks, Boston. Drunk and disorderly (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

June 19

Rolands Zvaigzne (27), of Uxbridge Street, Burton on Trent. Driving while disqualified (Bourne). Four weeks’ prison sentence, disqualified from driving for four years. Obstructing a police officer. Two week’s prison sentence concurrent. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Gintaras Liaugodas (24), of Carrage Drive, Monsall, Manchester. Stole clothing from Oxfam (Bourne). Two years’ conditional discharge, £15 v/s.

June 23

James Marsden (27), of Burchnall Close, Deeping St James. Obstructing a police officer (Deeping St James). £70 fine, £20 v/s, £50 costs.

Luke Mayer (31), of West Street, Folkingham. Assault (Folkingham). Community order with requirement to participate in education, training and employment programme and building better relationships programme, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Scott Johnson (25|), if Fen Road, Dowsby. Drink driving (Dunsby). £365 fine, £37 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 17 months. Failing to stop after an accident. £315 fine. No separate penalty for failing to report an accident.

Alex Woodruffe (33), of Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

June 24

Taua Borges (25), of Harn Road, Hampton Centre, Peterborough. Failing to give driver ID (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Leslie Hedaux (63), of Clough Road, Gosberton Risegate. Speeding (Spalding). £37 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Vitalijus Isajevas (41), of The Oaks Elm, Wisbech. No insurance (Holbeach). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Clara Lopes (40), of Oak Crescent, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Tomas Paulikas (34), of St Pauls Road, Peterborough. Defective windscreen (Gosberton). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £185 costs, 3pts.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

June 18

Julie Stevens (51), of Franklin Drive, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Louis Loizou (53), of Kings Road, London. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge 15.7.13). £165 fine, 3pts. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge 28.7.13). £165 fine, 3pts. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge 8.9.13). £165 fine, 3pts. Failing to give driving ID (Nettleham). £500 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Martin Deane (41), of Inhams Court, Whittlesey. Speeding (Crowland). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Luis Freitas (37), of Millgate, Whaplode. Speeding (Crowland). £500 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Octavio Teixeira (39), of Carrington Road, Spalding. Speeding (Crowland). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Lauren Pearse (25), of Lynn Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Spalding). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Vladescu Stefan (24), of Pretoria Road, Birmingham. Speeding (Crowland). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Dainius Zakevicius (22), of Brewster Road, Boston. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £95 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Diane Fitzgerald (57), of Matmore Gate, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £35 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

The armed forces’ parade held in Spalding last Tuesday has raised £751.21 for the charity, Veterans’ Aid.

The parade was organised by ex-service organisations including The Royal Naval Association, The Lincolns, The Parachute Regiment and The Royal British Legion with help from Spalding councillor Angela Newton.

Ken Willows, chairman of Spalding branch of The Lincolns, said: “We want to thank everybody who contributed – all the ex-service associations, Angela Newton, South Holland District Council, Tulip Radio, the market traders, the shops and the people who gave for their generosity.”

The associations taking part have their own charities, so the organisers decided all money raised should go to an independent charity.

Veterans’ Aid describes itself as the “A&E (accident and emergency) of the veterans’ world”.

Last year it provided more than 21,300 nights of accommodation for veterans in crisis and dealt with more than 3,400 calls for help.

Police are trying to stop a summer crime spree in South Holland by hosting two roadshows this month.

A mobile police station will be in Chapelgate, Sutton St James, on Tuesday July 8 from 2pm until 6pm where people can get crime prevention advice, particularly in relation to gardening equipment thefts.

Another roadshow takes place outside the Co-operative store in West Street, Long Sutton, on Friday July 18 between 10am and 2pm.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “We want to encourage residents to security mark their equipment and complete a log of all valuable items in their sheds and garages, with serial numbers and photographs.

“Often, items believed to have been stolen are recovered from suspected burglars following arrests but, because the recovered items can’t be properly identified and linked to a theft, it can’t be returned to the rightful owner.

“More frustratingly, it can’t be used as evidence of a crime and may even have to be returned to the person suspected of having stolen it.”

People in Bourne and the Deepings can become graffiti police by reporting it as soon as it appears on their estates and streets.

The invitation comes from South Kesteven District Council which has set up a hotline which people can use to report graffiti grot spots in their area.

As part of its Clean, Green and Healthy drive, the district council is working in partnership with police in Bourne and the Deepings to tackle graffiti problems before they get worse.

Increased graffiti has appeared in parts of the district, blighting neighbourhoods and costing the council hundreds of pounds to clear it up.

Coun John Smith, portfolio holder for healthy environments, said: “Graffiti incidents often involve more than one person and it is criminal damage, leaving an eyesore on our district and sending out a poor message to visitors.

“We encourage residents to report all instances of it to us as soon as they see it appear and, where possible, the descriptions of any individuals or groups they witness.

”Help us stop the unnecessary mess this problem creates in our towns and villages and we will work with police where we can to prosecute those who are caught.”

You can report graffiti problems by calling 01476 406080, email ehs@southkesteven.gov.uk or tweet @southkesteven

A year 6 team from Weston Hills Primary School is 
celebrating after making it to the county finals of the Agilitas Rounders competition.

The school’s retiring head, Christina Turnell, took the team to the area event, where they won all of their matches in the pool stage to qualify for a quarter-final against Pinchbeck East.

The school’s Heather Pocklington said: “The team were all focused and it was our accurate fielding which helped secure the win.”

Next came a closely contested semi-final against Bourne Westfield B.

This was decided by the fewest number of players out – and Weston Hills had two and Bourne three.

Then were was an exciting and tense final match against Monkshouse 
A.

Ms Pocklington said: “A brilliant performance by the whole team contributed to a fantastic win.”

Our picture shows the 
Weston Hills Primary 
School pupils with their medals, certificates and a trophy.

A Bourne man accused of sex offences is to face trial after denying 16 charges when he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court.

Darren Hadman (39), of Wetherby Close, Bourne, pleaded not guilty to meeting a child after grooming between February 1 and March 28, 2013.

He also denied three charges of sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing or inciting a child to be involved in pornography.

Hadman also pleaded not guilty to possession of 380 indecent images of children, distributing indecent photographs of children and eight charges of making an indecent image of a child.

Judge Sean Morris granted Hadman conditional bail and adjourned the case for trial in January.

A brand-new garden waste collection service for South Holland is being considered as a way to make it easier for residents to recycle their garden waste.


Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for waste management and green spaces, said: “As well as giving us the opportunity to increase the amount of waste we recycle, we are confident a garden waste collection service would be welcomed because of its convenience and reliability.

“The service would pay for itself through a charge so that taxpayers who don’t want or need to use it aren’t paying a subsidy. The service will be great value through reducing fuel costs to residents and the sheer convenience of not having to travel to and from the West Marsh Road waste site.

“Setting up a new garden waste service requires investment in new vehicles and extra crew, which is why we are asking residents to tell us what they think and whether they will use it.”

A postcard survey is currently being distributed to all households in South Holland. One resident has already given it the thumbs up. Michael Mitchell of Holbeach St Marks said: “I think this initiative by SHDC is totally excellent and I hope that a majority of residents will fill in the card and return it. It’s Freepost!

“The suggested collection fee is £2, which is probably less than a lot of householders pay in fuel to drive to the tip and back.”

As a Freepost survey it will cost nothing to post back; alternatively the survey can be completed online at www.sholland.gov.uk/gardenwastecollectionsurvey

For more information contact South Holland’s waste and recycling team on 761161.

Blogger Trish Burgess writes for the Free Press

‘Over here, darling... yeah, that’s it... give us a smile... nice one!”
It’s not often you enter Springfields Exhibition Centre to be greeted by the paparazzi but, diva that I am, I rather liked the attention.

The Digital Paparazzi, dressed in raincoats and each sporting a Trilby, had been hired for the evening to snap away as guests arrived for the Spalding Midsummer Ball because the theme this year was the BAFTAs. It was a great start to the evening and I was sorely tempted to rejoin the queue and face the cameras for a second time.

Dougie and I arrived on the red carpet just in time, which was quite remarkable as I had only just got off a train from London, having been to a blogging conference for the weekend (more on that next week).

I managed to get ready in half an hour, choosing a favourite frock, circa 2005, which was easy to wear and didn’t truss me up like a turkey.

Dougie, in his kilt, took far longer as there are many elaborate elements to the highland ensemble including complicated shoelaces and sporran positioning.

Now in its 19th year (and we must have been to the last 14 at least) the Midsummer Ball committee pulled out all the stops yet again in order to raise significant funds for their chosen charities: Action Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and, this year, the Teenage and Young Adult Oncology ward at Peterborough City Hospital.

It always amazes me how the committee transform Springfields into a stunning venue for a ball: every year they come up with something stylish whether it’s for a Best of British theme, Moulin Rouge or Boogie Nights. Add to that delicious food, cocktails, a professional band and disco plus an auction, it is always a night to remember.

My favourite part of the evening was, as always, the gift tree. Pay a tenner and you are guaranteed a prize.

In previous years we have ‘won’ a huge teddy, jewellery and a selection of car cleaning products. A few years ago I was lucky to receive a rose bush and a chiropody session.

A friend of mine had also won a rose bush but was happy to swap so I could have a matching pair and she could get her corns done.

This year Dougie was delighted to win a bottle of malt whisky: how appropriate for the only man there in a kilt.

The next morning he slid it out of its cylindrical sleeve only to find the security tag still attached to the bottle. After several attempts to remove it with various kitchen knives, I was all for taking it back to the supermarket from whence it came, but Dougie reckoned we’d get arrested for not having a receipt.

He disappeared with the bottle into the shed and emerged triumphant some time later having attacked it with a power drill. There’s not much that gets between a Scotsman and his whisky.

l You can follow Trish on 
Twitter @mumsgoneto and read her blog at www.mumsgoneto.blogspot.com

I’m Gertie and I’m Elsie... Clutterbuck, they chorused, introducing a full house at Moulton to the world of music hall.

Gertie and Elsie – alias mum and daughter team Anne Temple and Jules Jones – sang the 1897 She’d Never Been There Before (but now she’s going there every night) as an introduction to St Nicolas Players’ Music Hall Memories on Friday and Saturday.

“We came out on to the stage pretending to be cleaning the stage,” says Jules, “and then the chairman says, ‘You can’t clean now, there’s a show going on,’ and so we sang Never Been There Before.

“It’s about people who say they have never done something and end up doing it a lot.”

And Anne and Jules are hoping that St Nicolas Players – and South Holland audiences – will be keen to do music hall a lot in future after last weekend’s successful shows.

Music hall is a passion with the pair of them, and one they brought with them when they moved to the area about seven years ago. Jules, who lives in Whaplode Drove with husband Martin and their three children, admits it was cheap house prices – and the fact that her brother lives in Spalding – that convinced her to make the move.

Jules then found the perfect house in Weston for her parents and they too moved to South Holland.

“I have always loved music hall,” says Anne, who remembers her parents bringing home song sheets from nights out at the Unity Theatre in London and the whole family joining in the songs the following day.

“Years ago even if people could read they couldn’t necessarily afford a newspaper and these songs were telling people what was going on in the world.

“Music hall lasted about 100 years and it was the television that killed it off completely.

“I don’t think these songs should be forgotten. You can learn a lot of social history through them.”

Anne has played her part in keeping the old music hall songs alive. She is a member of the British Music Society and put on musicals for a local drama group before forming her own group, Good Turns, when she was living in Surrey.

As part of that, she made costumes, produced, directed and researched music and stories for productions, husband John acting as roadie and finally joining in the songs.

Finding the right pianists was critical to being able to put on music hall locally, says Jules, because much of the music is remembered rather than written down. Thankfully, Jacqueline Kemp and Liz Mackay came forward and were able to re-jig music after listening to the songs.

The two evenings at Moulton Community Hall were a “triumph” with about 150 people singing along to lyrics written in the Victorian and Edwardian days.

A crash involving four cars on the A17 near Moulton Seas End caused problems were drivers heading home on Monday.

It happened in Washway Road, Moulton Marsh, and involved a Citreon Berlingo, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fusion and Volvo which were in collision at about 6.45pm last night.

The road was blocked for about half an hour while firefighters from Holbeach made two of the cars safe, but there were no serious injuries.

Thousands of music hall songs were written, and most of them have been forgotten, but a few are familiar to most of us.

Do like to be beside the seaside, Bull and Bush and My Old Man (Said Follow the Van) are just some that have survived.

My Old Man was performed by Marie Lloyd, one of the Anne Temple’s favourite music hall singers.

As well as being a singer, Marie was a comedian and musical theatre actress, and Anne says she was “quite crude really”.

Producing and directing Music Hall Memories at Moulton was rewarding for Anne and Jules. They had sell-out shows and have had requests to do more music hall at village events.

The pair hope that St Nicolas Players might be willing to put on another music hall in future.

In the meantime, the company is preparing for its next production – A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – The Second Coming, which is being shown at South Holland Centre in Spalding from Wednesday to Saturday, October 22 to 25 (7.30pm).

The company has a new website – stnicolasplayers.co.uk – and St Nicolas Players is on Facebook.

A 54-year-old man had to be pulled out of a dyke just off the A52 in the village by firefighters at lunchtime on Monday.

The man became stuck in a dyke near The Four Crossroads Inn, Swineshead Road, near Kirton Holme Golf Club, at about 1.30pm.

Firefighters from Donington used a ladder to rescue the man who was then treated by paramedics before he was taken home.

More than 50,000 drivers were caught speeding in Lincolnshire last year – 12,000 more than the combined populations of Spalding and Holbeach.

Road safety chiefs say the number is 2,241 up on 2012 and warn that excessive speed is one of the main factors in fatal or serious injury crashes.

John Siddle, of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “The increase in drivers breaking the speed limit is initially a concern, but there has been a significant reduction in ‘high end’ offenders – those that purposely drive significantly above the speed limit.

“Driving at excessive speed is one of the main contributory factors in collisions that involve death or serious injury investigated in this county. It stands to reason that as speed goes up, the severity of any collision will increase.

“There are people that will argue this stance and believe we should drive at what speed we choose, however Newton’s Law will always prevail.”

Mr Siddle is urging parish councils to sign up to Community Speed Watch (CSW) to tackle “non-safety critical speeding issues” by putting up passive or reactive signs to persuade motorists to slow down.

He said: “This will not replace the enforcement that is currently carried out but gives parishes and communities the opportunity to take an active role in the management of speed in their areas.”

So far take up is slow.

Mr Siddle said: “Although parish councils and communities have been written to only a few have responded, despite residents having concerns in their areas.”

n Parish councils who want to know more about CSW can call Andy Trevithick on 01522 805800 or email staying.alive@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Long Sutton may get six electronic signs as a first step towards tackling speeding and anti-social driving in the town.

And a private security firm could be brought in to help bring offenders to account.

The parish council on Thursday set £15,000 aside to pay for signs that measure vehicle speed and collect data for county highways and police.

The county council has offered to put up posts for the signs – and the signs will be switched from place to place so hot spots can be identified.

Jack Tyrrell, the parish council vice-chairman, is part of a seven-strong group waging war on speeding, anti-social driving and drink-driving.

Coun Tyrrell said the parish council’s stance on anti-social driving – and its £15,000 pledge – is a good first step.

He said: “As a group, it’s more than we imagined we would get as a starting ground, but we are after more.

“We want to clean up the town one way or another.”

Coun Tyrrell said the parish council used to employ a security firm and it’s possible they may go back to that and ask the firm to report offenders.

He said: “We just need to be safe again and, at the end of the day, there’s accidents nearly every week and it’s just stupid.”