Spalding landlords urged to beef up pub security after raids

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Lincolnshire police have warned pub landlords in Spalding and South Holland to beef up security after a spate of pub raids.

They have appealed for help to catch a gang which they believe is responsible for a series of pub raids across the county, including several in Spalding and Long Sutton.

The Walnut Tree is Deeping St James is the latest in a spate of pub break-ins across the county and follows on from an incident at the Plough Inn in Holbeach St Johns at the weekend when masked burglars assaulted the landlady with a screwdriver after she and her partner disturbed them.

Spalding's Royal Mail Cart was also targeted at the weekend, along with pubs in Grantham and Grimsthorpe, near Bourne.

Police say the most recent attacks seem to be centred on South Lincolnshire and are warning licensees to beef up security.

Lincolnshire Police spokesman James Newall said: "This is a growing trend in the county and it is clear that a criminal gang, or gangs is targeting pubs.

"There have been 49 pub burglaries in Lincolnshire in the last three months. The criminals seem to have shifted their focus towards the south of the county, with the most recent attacks taking place here.

"Officers are urging landlords and owners to be extra vigilant and to consider beefing up their security, with particular attention to lighting, alarms and dogs. Systems for the storage and banking of cash should also be considered.

"Officers are looking at a number of suspects and following up a number of lines of enquiry, but are asking for the public to help them with information.

"A lot of these pubs are in rural locations. Cars with two, three or four men in have pulled up in the early hours. This kind of activity will stick out in a little village.

"If you see any unfamiliar vehicles in the early hours, call us immediately with the make, model and registration.

The occupants don't have to be doing anything wrong, just call us and tell us anyway, let us decide whether it's useful information - it may be the lead we need to make an arrest."

Pubs targeted so far include:

• Turpins Wine Bar in Market Place, Long Sutton, which was broken into sometime between January 6 and 13 when gaming machines were attacked and audio equipment stolen.



• The Old Ship Inn, London Road, Long Sutton which was targeted during the early hours of January 14 and a safe stolen.



• The Red Lion, Market Place, Spalding, where mobile phones and jewellery were stolen from two rooms during the evening of January 14.



• Ye Olde White Horse Inn, Churchgate, Spalding during the early hours of January 15, after the offender climbed a drainpipe to gain entry.

Anyone with information can contact Lincolnshire Police on 01522 532222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.