Lincolnshire Police are increasingly being assaulted during the pandemic, with officers being spat at, coughed at and breathed, as offender claim to threaten them with coronavirus.

Members of the Rural & Communities Scrutiny Committee of South Kesteven District Council heard of the abuse officers face in an update from Lincolnshire Police at its meeting earlier this month.

Chief Inspector Phil Vickers and Inspector Gary Stewart gave an insight into how coronavirus has affected local policing across the district.

They said in South Kesteven assaults on officers were related to either coughing/spitting or breathing on the officer for the purpose of transferring coronavirus.

Members heard how 'Crimestoppers' had contributed to offenders being apprehended.

Earlier in the week, the Police Commissioner Marc Jones had briefed councillors on figures relating to recorded crime across South Kesteven.

In the past 12 months to February 2021 crime has fallen from 9,688 offences down to 7,337 a drop of 24.27%. There was also a 23.73% drop in burglaries to dwellings.

Maisie McMahon from the Lincolnshire Police Safer Together Team introduced herself to the committee.

Maisie covers North & South Kesteven and her key aim is to engage with the community, including Parish, District and County Councils to act as a conduit for the Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Maisie can be contacted by email at [email protected]

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said: "I welcome the link between the Police and the community which ensures that we are all working together, so that Lincolnshire remains a safe place to live."

Chairman of the Rural and Communities Committee Councillor Ray Wootten thanked Chief Inspector Vickers, Inspector Stewart and Maisie McMahon.

He added: "Please pass on the Committees grateful thanks for the hard work and dedication to all officers and staff in supporting our community' and, asked for a further update in six months time."