ARTICLE THREE ‘Re-Cycling Crime’

Cycle theft is regrettably nothing new. Cycles offer potentially easy targets and a rapid means of escape – a combination that has been exploited by the criminal fraternity for many years. Sadly, the ‘Olympic effect’ on cycle crime has now raised the bar on golden opportunities for offenders who endeavour to avoid being for the long jump after marathon investigative efforts by the Police.
 

Bad puns aside, many people have rightly been inspired by the Olympics resulting in some spending many thousands of pounds on cycles, or taking part in numerous Cycle-to-Work schemes that have sprung up across the area. An expensive bike, therefore, is no longer a rarity…and criminals know this.

Since April 2013, NE Lincs has had over 500 cycle thefts recorded with a large proportion of these stolen from streets. The basics apply that if you lock your bike effectively, using quality (Sold Secure rated) locks, to an immovable object, then your bike will present less of an opportunity to a thief. A rule of thumb is that you should spend at least 10 per cent of the bike’s value on a lock - aiming for a Sold Secure Gold standard if possible. The use of a ground anchor and target hardening of your shed / garage should also be considered to help deter criminals when your bike is stored. The key point is that, as a minimum, your bike should be securely locked wherever it is left…with a quality lock. Initiatives such as The Cycle Hub in Grimsby Town Station provide welcome secure alternatives for cyclists who commute into Town.

As well as physical measures, registering your bike’s frame number and distinguishing features, for free, on the property registry site www.immobilise.com will assist the Police in tracking the bike and hopefully returning it should the worst happen.

You can follow Andy Robinson on Twitter - @HPCrimeRednNEL

A new and improved method aimed at supporting retailers in the fight against shop theft, has been launched in North East Lincolnshire.

Shopwatch is being launched by Humberside Police, in conjunction with Safer and Stronger Communities, on Monday 14 October. The scheme is aimed at helping to reduce retail crime and ASB, and to help make shopping area, in North East Lincolnshire, a safer and more enjoyable place to visit.

Shopwatch will feature an online forum which results in a quicker distribution of information and provides increased information security. The secure website will contain information, which is vital for retail businesses. This will include details of:
•         Anti Social Behaviour Orders
•         Images of offenders
•         CCTV images
•         Police updates on shop theft and retail crime

It will also allow the members of the scheme to share information between themselves, the police and other agencies. It will also mean that if a known offender is in a particular area, other retail premises can be made aware almost instantly.

Retailers can join the scheme by going to the dedicated web page for this area at www.shopwatchnel.co.uk

In recent weeks officers across North East Lincolnshire have made some significant arrests, and seen a number of people sent to prison, for offences which range from burglary, theft from motor vehicle and serious sexual offences.

Detectives across North East Lincolnshire work continuously to help make local communities a safer place to be and to ensure that the minority of people, who wish to commit crime are arrested, charged and brought before the courts.

In recent weeks a number of very isolated incidents have taken place across North East Lincolnshire. In connection with these incidents, a number of people have been arrested and, in some cases charges have been brought and people have been remanded in custody.

Alongside this offenders have also appeared before the courts in relation to other on going investigations. Some of these people have been handed lengthy custodial sentences, which is both reassuring to the police and to the victims.

Detective Chief Inspector for the Southbank, Craig SCAIFE said: "The hard work and dedication of officers in North East Lincolnshire has resulted in some significant arrests and charges being brought against a number of offenders. Some of those people have been charged in connection with an isolated incident, and other have been charged in connection with daily incidents such as burglary and vehicle crime.

“It is pleasing to see the hard work of our investigation teams pay off when offenders appear before the courts and are handed a custodial sentence. As the police we work hard to bring offenders to justice and to see those people taken off the streets, for any length of time, is a great result for us, the victim and the local community. It means there is one less person is able to target the people of North East Lincolnshire.

"As part of the work we do police work with a number of partner agencies to try and engage with offenders to help deter them from a life of crime. This can sometimes prove to be effective however, we do have some people who are intent on continuing to commit crime. It is these people who we are aware of and we have measures in place to monitor them and ensure that they are less likely to re offend.

“Police officers cannot be everywhere at once and we have to deploy our resources accordingly. Sometimes we cannot attend to incidents as quickly as we may like to as we are dealing with more serious offences in other locations. It is for this reason that I would like to thank the people of North East Lincolnshire who regularly come forward and help support the work of the police. Often we rely on the local communities to be our eyes and ears and help provide us with information. At times this type of information can be vital to our investigations so thank you for continued support and please call the police if you have anything to report to us."

People who have been arrested and charged:

Mark GIBSON (32) of Edward Street in Grimsby was handed a 27 month prison sentence for shop theft and attempt burglary. He appeared at North Lincolnshire Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

David LEWIS (42) of Daubney Street in Cleethorpes was charged with assaulting a police officer and concern in the supply of Cocaine. He was sentenced to 45 months in prison.

Andrew CLARKE (34) of Ludford Street in Grimsby was given 16 years in prison and will be on the sex offenders register for life, after being charged with a number of sex offences.

Lee PARKER (24) of Weelsby Street, Grimsby has been charged with a burglary at an address on Rutland Street on Saturday 27 July. A flat screen TV, an Xbox, money and an iPhone was stolen.

A 16 year old boy was arrested and charged with burglary, theft of motor vehicle, use of motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle in accordance with a licence. He was due to appear at North Lincolnshire Magistrates Court on Monday 12 August.

Stephen WILLIAMS (60) of Ladysmith Road, Grimsby was charged with 15 sex offences and appeared at Grimsby Crown Court on Thursday 18 July. He was handed a 24 year prison sentence.

Timothy TAYLOR (20) of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby was given a four month suspended sentence, a two year supervision order and a two year ASBO after admitting a number of offences which included, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and shop lifting.

Four people were charged in connection with an incident which happened on Sunday 07 July on Corporation Road, Grimsby in the vicinity of the Duke of York Gardens. Rod WOLLIS (21) of Millom Way, Grimsby was charged with attempt murder and violent disorder. Adrian FRANCIS (24) of Corporation Road, Grimsby was charged with Section 18 - GBH and violent disorder. Ashley MEADOWS (26) of Haven Avenue, Grimsby was charged with violent disorder. A 16 year old boy was charged with violent disorder. All appeared at Grimsby Magistrates Court on Thursday 11 July.

Aaron BINGHAM (33) of Stanley Street in Grimsby was charged with Section 18 - wounding with intent and possession of a Class B drug following an incident which happened at the junction of Stanley Street and Oxford Street on Thursday 01 August.

Five people have been arrested and released on bail in connection with a robbery at Betfred on Park Street in Grimsby on Tuesday 23 July. The three men and two women have been released on bail to a date in September pending further enquiries.

Anyone who may wish to report a crime to Humberside Police can do so by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers tel 0800 555 111.

‘Illegal Money Lending’

The recent spat between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Wonga has put into sharp focus the proliferation of money lending companies which have sprung up over recent years. There are, however, others that do not advertise so heavily; ‘business’ often conducted by word of mouth only. I refer to unregulated, illegal money lenders – aka ‘loan sharks’.
Offering money with little or no paperwork to those who usually have poor credit opportunities, loan sharks trap their victims into paying back many times the original sum – the highest calculated APR being a staggering 131,000%! Should payments falter, the once cosy relationship often turns to intimidation, threats and violence with passports, driving licences or bank cards commonly taken as security or to withdraw funds directly from victims’ accounts. A worsening situation often leads to ramping up pressure on the victim by carrying out offences involving drugs, burglary, kidnap and even rape. As loan sharks operate illegally, such criminal methods of coercion are all that can be resorted to in order to enforce payments.
Such activities clearly have a negative effect upon local crime levels where loan sharks operate and a spike in crime is often related to their existence.
The important point to note, however, is that if loans are provided illegally, they are not enforceable in law. The Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) exists to help those caught in this financial dilemma and can, and does, actively seek and successfully prosecute loan sharks using information provided by the public.
Loan sharks are not thought to be a problem in NE Lincs currently but increasing deprivation levels provide perfect operating conditions. 
To stop them, contact the IMLT in confidence on 0300 555 2222.
So take divine inspiration and don’t get caught with a loan shark…it will cost you an arm and a leg.
 

A 33 year old man has been arrested and is currently in custody at Grimsby Police station in connection with a burglary.

Shortly before 1000hrs on Wednesday 18 September two PCSOs were on foot patrol on Littlefield Lane, Grimsby when they were stopped by a female member of the public who reported that she had just seen an unknown man enter a property through what appeared to be a cat flap.

The PCSOs did a search of the outside of the address and located a dog in the rear of the address and whilst carrying out this search, a man exited the property through a large hole in the door, which police believe the woman thought was a cat flap. On seeing the officers the man ran away and was chased by the two PCSOs.

One of the PCSOs managed to detain the man on Thorgam Court, and was assaulted by the offender shortly before police officers arrived who arrested him and took him into Grimsby Police Station.

The PCSO sustained minor injuries to the face and elbow in the incident and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The quick and effective work of the PCSOs enabled the offender to be arrested and detained quickly.

It is not known if anything has been stolen from the address.

Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 131 of Wednesday 18 September.

DETECTIVES in North East Lincolnshire have released images of a number of items which need returning to their owner(s).

Police located the items following a search of an address in Grimsby on Monday 30 December 2013. A holdall was found by officers, in an alleyway close to the address, and inside of it were a number of items which included those pictured.

The items include two Freemasons medals, a couple of brooches and a pair of what appear to be either binoculars or opera glasses.

If you believe any of these items belong to you, or you may know who they belong to then call Humberside Police tel 101 and quote log 329 of 08 January 2014.

Have you seen a missing man from Cleethorpes?

Police are currently appealing for assistance in helping to locate a man who has been reported missing from Cleethorpes.

Robert HEWITT (25) of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes was reported missing to police at 0341hrs on Monday 06 January 2014 after he was last seen at his home address at 2300hrs on Sunday 05 January and has not been seen since.

Mr HEWITT is described as a white man, bald and with a thin beard. He is around 6ft tall and was last thought to have been wearing either dark coloured jeans or light grey coloured sweat pants, along with a grey coloured Adidas jacket, black coloured canvas "Vans" shoes and a grey Carhatt pull up beanie hat.

Officers involved in the search for Mr HEWITT have located his vehicle, a silver coloured Vauxhall Astra on the Humber Bridge. A search of the vicinity, in which the vehicle was found, has been conducted by officers with assistance from the Coastguard.

The family of Mr HEWITT are appealing for anyone with information as to his whereabouts to please call Police as a matter of urgency.

Police are appealing for Mr HEWITT and anyone who may have seen him prior to him being reported missing to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 44 of 06 January 2014.

POLICE are appealing for helping in locating a number of items which have potentially been lost or stolen in the Grimsby area.

During the evening of Monday 27 January, a 24 year old man, who was reportedly in drink at the time, left an address on Farndale Way in Grimsby and made his way home.

En route the man was approached and invited to an address on Victoria Mills, where it is alleged he continued drinking. The next recollection the man has is that he woke up in the home of a woman, who was not known to him.

The woman advised the 24 year old man that she found him asleep in a hedge, close to Asda and she took him back to her home. Once he woke the man realised that a bag, in which he was in possession of when he left Farndale Way, had gone missing.

The bag, which has been described as a blue coloured hiking bag, contained an Apple Mac laptop, a Sony Vaio laptop, external hard drive and Xbox 360 hard drive.

At this time police are trying to establish if the bag has been lost or stolen. If anyone has been approached by somebody trying to sell any of these items, or if anyone has found them, then please call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 434 of 28 January 2014

POLICE are appealing for information in connection with an incident which happened on Wednesday 29 January 2014 in Immingham.
At around 1930hrs a 14 year old girl was walking home alone when she was approached by a man in a vehicle travelling along Hadleigh Road, Immingham.
The man is reported to have pulled up alongside the girl, got out of the car and made an attempt to engage in conversation with her.
The girl walked away and ignored the man. He shouted a comment at the girl as she walked along Pilgrim Avenue and then drove away.
The girl was not injured in the incident, nothing was stolen and the man did not in any way make physical contact with the girl.
The man is described as a male of Asian appearance, a thin build and short in height. He had short dark hair and was wearing a black coloured padded coat. Police have been advised that he was thought to have been driving a silver coloured car.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have information in connection with the incident to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference AE/2023646/2014.
 

MEMBERS of the public in Grimsby are asked to be vigilant after two bottles of Methadone have been misplaced.

Police were informed by a member of the public that she had lost two bottles of Methadone between Wellington Street and Hainton Avenue at around 1730hrs on Monday 03 February.

Methadone can be dangerous if taken by somebody who it is not prescribed for.

Anyone who may have found, or who finds the medication, is asked to hand it in to a nearby Pharmacy or a local police station.

If anyone has any information about the missing Methadone they can call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 584 of 03 February 2014.

THIEVES have entered the house of a woman in Grimsby and stolen a number of items whilst she slept in bed.
At around 0329hrs on Tuesday 04 February two men have approached the door of a property on Charles Hume Court, Grimsby and forced open the security chain to gain entry.
Whilst inside the property they have stolen a 40ins BAIRD colour television, a laptop computer, a Samsung mobile phone, jewellery, a clock and a diary and address book.
The clock and jewellery was stolen from the bedroom as the female resident, aged in her 60s, was asleep in bed.
Police believe the two men were seen to leave the property at around 0450hrs carrying an orange coloured holdall with the stolen items inside. They made their way along Grafton Street.
Anyone who may have information and can assist police in reuniting the woman with her stolen property is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference AC/2024724/2014.
 

SO what is the last thing you do before you go to bed at night? For most people it is probably lock the door and turn all the lights off. If that is what you do, what do you do with your keys once you have locked your door? Some people might hide them away, take them to bed and others, well they leave them in the door.

Now to some, leaving keys in the door is no issue, but would you change your mind if you knew that in North East Lincolnshire there have been 16 incidents where thieves have targeted homes and hooked the keys from the door, then gained entry to the house? This resulting in vehicles, handbags, laptops and mobile phones being stolen.

Detectives across North East Lincolnshire are now asking people to think about extra home security and to NOT leave keys in the door, as they are more easily accessible than you might think! A thief wanting to get into your home, in potentially the quietest way they can, will use some form of hooking device to hook the keys and then plain and simply unlock your door. This then giving themselves free reign of your address, whilst most people are fast asleep in bed.

This however is not the only way thieves are trying to get into your home, some are even going to the extreme of trying to remove the door handles and locks off the door. An instrument will then be used to open the door. Now, although the majority of these have not resulted in a burglary it causes great hassle to the home owners who have to replace the door handle and locks, often at a cost.

There are a number of ways that you can help reduce your chances of becoming a victim, and the majority of them don’t take a lot of time. Just look at your home and think what might make it welcoming to a thief? Have you left your door unlocked? Have you left your keys in the door? Are there valuable items left on show? All of these tiny considerations will deter a thief from not stopping by your door. So, now you have identified what might make you a target, you can also think about extra home security. CCTV, security lights, security chains and an anti snap lock barrel are things that people can consider.

These incidents, which have happened in North East Lincolnshire, have happened in a number of locations, so don’t think this isn’t near my house, so it wont happen to me. A thief can strike at anytime of the day and they don’t even care if you are at home watching tv, in bed or out at work. If you have something they have their eye on then they wont stop until they have it.

Below are the details of the incidents which have occurred between Thursday 30 January and Tuesday 04 February. Anyone who may have information can call police tel 101 and quote the crime report number given.

The SNAP LOCK burglaries

* Between 2130hrs on Thursday 30 January and 1000hrs on Friday 31 January a house on Jenner Place, Cleethorpes was approached by an opportunist thief. An attempt was made to remove keys from the door, by hooking an object through the letterbox. Nothing was stolen and no entry was gained. Crime report number: AC/2024134/2014.

* Between 2245hrs on Thursday 30 January and 0700hrs on Friday 31 January keys were hooked out of the front door of an address on Barcroft Street in Cleethorpes. The keys were then used to open the door and a men’s waterproof jacket, a passport, a ladies Henley jacket, and a child’s denim and puffa jacket were stolen. Crime report number: AC/2023963/2014.

* Between 0200hrs and 0300hrs on Friday 31 January, keys were hooked from the front door of an address on Park Drive, Grimsby. The keys were used to start a van parked on the driveway. The neighbours heard this, disturbed the offenders and they ran away. Crime report number: AC/2024166/2014.

* At around 0400hrs on Friday 31 January the occupants of an address on Phelps Street, Cleethorpes were asleep in bed. An attempt was made to hook the keys out of the door, however the occupant awoke and disturbed the offenders who ran away. Crime report number: AC/2024171/2014.

* Between 2130hrs on Friday 31 January and 1000hrs on Saturday 01 February the lock of a front door was attacked on Torrington Street, Grimsby. No entry was gained and nothing was stolen. Crime report number: AC/2024154/2014.

* Between 2230hrs on Friday 31 January and 0930hrs on Saturday 01 February the handle of a door was attacked on David Street, Grimsby. No entry was gained and the occupants were in bed at the time. Crime report number: AC/2024150/2014.

* At around 0105hrs on Saturday 01 February on Lichfield Road, Grimsby a thief managed to snap the lock of the address and gain entry to the kitchen. A search was made of the cupboards, however nothing was stolen. The occupants were in bed at the time. Crime report number AC/2024101/2014

* Between 0900hrs and 1400hrs on Saturday 01 February a door handle of an address on Fairmont Road was damaged. An instrument was used to try and open the door, but was unsuccessful and no entry was gained. Crime report number: AC/2024188/2014

* Between 1945hrs on Saturday 01 February and 0337hrs on Sunday 02 February the door handle of an address on Cromwell Road, Grimsby was broken. An attempt was made to then use an instrument to unlock the door, with no success the offenders ran away. Crime report AA/2024270/2014.

* At around 0130hrs on Sunday 02 February the female occupant of an address on Lovett Street, Cleethorpes heard a noise and discovered somebody trying to remove the handle of her door. She disturbed the offender and they ran away. Crime report number: AC/2024270/2014

* Between 2230hrs on Sunday 02 February and 0730hrs on Monday 03 February an unsuccessful attempt was made to remove the lock off the door of an address on Humberstone Road, Grimsby. Crime report number: AC/2024520/2014.

* Between 0100hrs and 0515hrs on Monday 03 February, a thief who gained entry to an address on Fairmont Road, Grimsby, by snapping the lock on the door. They stole a laptop, two wallets and cash, along with the keys to a grey Mazda 2 which was then stolen from the driveway. The vehicle was recovered the next day on Jackson Street in Cleethorpes with some damage. Crime report number: AC/2024466/2014

* Between 0100hrs and 0500hrs on Monday 03 February damage was caused to the lock of an address on Cooper Road, Grimsby. No entry was gained and nothing stolen. Crime report number AC/2024569/2014.

* Between 2230hrs on Monday 03 February and 0700hrs on Tuesday 04 February the lock of a door was broken on Convamore Road, Grimsby. A resident of the address was asleep on the sofa as the opportunist thief made their way into the address. Thinking they might be noticed, if the occupant woke up, they made a swift exit and nothing was stolen. Crime report number: AC/2024716/2014.

* The person(s) who broke into an address on Clerke Street, Cleethorpes had their pick of two vehicles when they snapped the lock of this front door. A handbag, wallet, keys and two mobile phones were stolen along with a grey coloured Honda Accord. Another vehicle was left at the property, despite the keys being stolen. The vehicle was later recovered. Crime report number AC/2024709/2014

* Another address on Convamore Road, Grimsby was targeted between 0130hrs and 0230hrs on Tuesday 04 February. The lock of a door was snapped but nothing was stolen. Crime report number AC/2024726/2014.

POLICE are asking people in North East Lincolnshire to be vigilant after a man claiming to be from a local housing company has managed to steal cash from a woman.

At around 0930hrs on Friday 07 February a man approached the home of a woman on Willing Way, Grimsby and claimed to be from local housing company, Shoreline.

He is reported to have told the woman that she owed money to the company and he was collecting that from her. The woman then let the man into her home, handed over a small amount of cash. The man gave her a receipt and left.

The offender is believed to have had some form of identification with him. He was a white male, with dark hair aged in his 40s and around 6ft tall. He was wearing a yellow coat, which could have been high vis, blue coloured trousers and spectacles. He spoke with a local accent.

To avoid becoming a victim of a bogus caller police offer the follow advice.

When someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home, ask for urgent help, or claims to be a company representative, follow these simple steps to help protect yourself and your home.

LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home.

STOP: Before you answer, stop to think if you are expecting anyone. Check that your back door is locked and any keys are taken out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is.

CHAIN: If answering the door, keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep. (when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case of an emergency.) Some bogus callers target older and vulnerable people saying they need help urgently. They may ask you to help them outside the house or ask to use a phone or request a drink. Only offer to help if you have someone with you. Don't worry if you choose not to help it is not rude or unfriendly.

CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have an appointment. Do they look like the person on the card? Do their details match any prior correspondence? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they don't show you an identity card, do not let them in until you have double-checked their validity.

ONLY LET THEM IN WHEN YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THEY ARE GENUINE.

Following the incident Shoreline, who work closely with Humberside Police to help reduce crime across North East Lincolnshire issued this statement:

Shoreline is warning residents to be on their guard against bogus callers posing as employees.

The warning comes after a caller obtained cash from a tenant by posing as a Shoreline employee collecting rent payments, claiming the tenant owed money on their account.

Please remember - all legitimate Shoreline employees and repairs and maintenance partners Mears carry identification.

All residents should check caller ID before letting anyone into their home.

Do not be afraid to contact Shoreline to check on a caller if you have any doubts that they are genuine but make sure that you ring Shoreline on 0845 849 2000 and not on any number that a caller may hand you. Genuine employees will not mind you checking on them.

If residents remain suspicious about a caller they should contact the police and let Shoreline know.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference AC/2025358/2014.

A MAN from Grimsby has been handed his second football banning order following his arrest prior to the Grimsby Town v Scunthorpe United football match on Saturday 09 November 2013.

Thomas HAAGENSEN (23), of Dale View, Grimsby was charged with a section five public order offence following his arrest on the day that Grimsby Town played Scunthorpe United in the first round of the FA Cup at Blundell Park.

Following a court appearance HAAGENSEN was handed his second football banning order earlier this month which will run from 03 February 2014 until 03 February 2017. His previous banning order only ended in 2013.

Police would like to remind the minority of people who wish to cause disruption in relation to football matches, that you could face arrest and a long term ban from watching football if found guilty. 

FALSE report a incident to police and you will be found out, as two people from Grimsby have recently found out.

Wasting police time is a criminal offence and since the start of 2014 Detectives in North East Lincolnshire have dealt with two individuals who have both false reported a burglary at their home addresses.

When a crime is reported police have a duty to investigate the incident thoroughly and, it is often not until the enquiries get underway, that officers establish that an incident may not be quite as it seems. This was certainly the case with both of the false reports.

On Wednesday 22 January a call was made to police reporting that a house on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby had been burgled. The offenders were alleged to have made off with a Tablet, TV, Xbox and a Blue Ray DVD player. As the enquiries progressed, officers identified that this was a false report and the alleged victim was soon arrested and taken into police custody. The woman, aged in her 30s, was charged with one count of fraud by false representation, once count of wasting police time, one count of theft by finding and one count of criminal damage. She will be appearing at Grimsby Mags Court on Monday 17 February 2014.

In a separate incident a man living on Rutland Street, Grimsby reported to police on Sunday 02 February that his home address had been broken into and his 46ins 3D Smart TV had been stolen. Enquiries then established that the man had false reported this incident and he was interviewed by police. He was handed a fixed penalty.

People may think that by making a false report for any offence, not just burglary, they might be able to make an easy claim on their insurance. It needs to be remembered that this is not the case and you could face arrest and a criminal record.

A MAN from Immingham has today been sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of sex offences.

Andrew CLARK (36) of Pelham Road, Immingham was arrested by police on 11 June 2013 in connection with a number of sex offences which happened in Cottingham between 30 June 2012 and 03 October 2012.

Mr CLARK was charged on 30 September 2013 with seven separate incidents of sexual assault on a girl under 13. He pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court last December and was today sentenced at Hull Crown Court to seven years and four months.

DC Teresa COLLEDGE, who lead the investigation said: "Myself and the officers that worked on this investigation welcome the sentence handed by the Judge at Hull Crown Court today.

"Andrew CLARK is a man who caused significant distress to a vulnerable girl and, all along he knew that everything he was doing was wrong and what potential harm this was causing to her.

"I am pleased that this Paedophile has been locked away for a number of years and does not pose any further harm to his victim. I also hope that this sentence will help bring some closure to her. This has been a harrowing ordeal for both her and her family. I hope this means she is now able to move on with her life in the most positive way possible."

POLICE are appealing for information in connection with an alleged incident which happened as a boy walked home from a night out in Grimsby Town Centre.

Between 0200hrs and 0230hrs on Saturday 15 February a 17 year old boy was walking home alone when he was reportedly approached by two unknown men. The men are alleged to have engaged in conversation with him before asking him for a cigarette.

When the 17 year old boy refused to hand over a cigarette he was allegedly assaulted by the men. He sustained minor cuts and bruises in the incident.

The offenders are described as white men, aged between 19 to 23 years old and who spoke with a local accent.

Anyone with information in connection with the incident is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference AA/2026988/2014.

DETECTIVES investigating a series of burglaries in North East Lincolnshire have arrested and charged a 21 year old man with a number of offences.

Luke JOHNSON (21) of Freeston Street, Cleethorpes was arrested by police in the early hours of Sunday 16 February who were carrying out routine patrols in the local Grimsby area.

Mr Johnson was charged with the following offences and appeared at Grimsby Magistrates Court this morning (Tuesday 18 February 2014).

* A burglary at an address on Lovett Street, Cleethorpes between 09 February and 12 February. A handbag, jacket, Ipod touch, bank cards and cash were stolen.

* A burglary at an address on Bursar Street, Cleethorpes between 08 February and 11 February. Keys and Vauxhall Corsa were stolen.

* A burglary at an address on Elliston Street, Cleethorpes between 05 February and 08 February. A 7ins tablet, cash and tobacco was stolen.

* A burglary on Granville Street, Grimsby between 13 February and 16 February. An Xbox, Playstation, two mobile phones, a laptop, handbag and a Citroen Saxo was stolen.

* An attempt burglary at an address on Gertrude Street, Grimsby on 16 February.

* An attempt burglary at an address on Convamore Road, Grimsby between 02 February and 05 February 2014.

Police would like to remind people about the importance of home security and keeping valuables away from the eyes of opportunist thieves.

POLICE are appealing for help in locating a 14 year old girl who has been reported missing from Grimsby.

Chelsea BAMPTON (14) was reported missing to police at 1937hrs on Sunday 23 February after she failed to return to her home address of Brereton Avenue later that day.

Miss BAMPTON is described as a white female, 4ft 9ins tall and with dark brown hair. She was last seen to be wearing skinny jeans, and a blue or pink coloured hooded top.

Miss BAMPTON has been missing on a number of occasions before and police have been told that she may have been seen in the Ladysmith Road area of Grimsby on Monday 24 February.

Police are asking for Chelsea and anyone who may know where she is to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 540 of 23 February 2014.