The local area and local need

The evidence used to support this plan is drawn from an analysis of work undertaken by local councils, community safety partnerships, the police and a variety of other organisations.

We cannot do everything but we have gathered evidence and listened to what the public are saying to us so that we can use the resources at our disposal for maximum impact. We will adapt and change as we have successes and as new threats and challenges emerge but we will do it together and with an unrelenting focus on making Lincolnshire safer and reducing crime.

Lincolnshire is the fourth most sparsely and largest populated county in England covering an area of 5,921 square km. It is predominately rural, with no motorways, little dual carriageway and 80km of North Sea coastline. There is significant seasonal fluctuation in population, influenced by the student population in Lincoln and the influx of visitors to the east coast in the summer months. These defining characteristics provide fundamental challenges in the provision of services.

Population of Lincolnshire:

The population of Lincolnshire is 766,300 (Mid-year population estimate released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) June 2020) This is an increase of 25,000 since 2017. The population is expected to grow to around 844,000 by 2041. The 75+ age range is predicted to increase by 60% between 2021 - 2033.

Inequality/deprivation:

Lincolnshire's coast stands out as being amongst the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods nationally. Pockets of the major towns and the East Coast of Lincolnshire show relatively higher levels of multiple deprivation in comparison with the rural areas of the county.

Migration:

The diversity of the population has increased in recent years as a result of new and emerging communities.

As of the 2011 Census, 93% of residents identify themselves as White British, 4% as White Other (this is primarily made of Eastern European communities, which represents much in the agricultural, hospitality and tourist industries). The non-white population makes up of the total population in 2011 compared to 1.4% in 2001. These slight increases remain small in comparison to the national non-white population of 14%.

Housing:

In 2019 the Central Lincoln Planning Unit which includes members from the City of Lincoln and Lincolnshire County Council, West Lindsey and North Kesteven District Councils announced that between 2012 and 2036, 36,960 new homes are to be provided of which 47% (17,400) will be in the affordable housing sector. The overall aim is to develop sustainable growth and meet a diverse housing need in both urban and rural locations across the county.

Road infrastructure:

Lincolns eastern bypass is now in place, allowing traffic from the south of Lincoln to reach the north without travelling through the city centre. This road is the second-to-last step towards creating a complete ring road around the city. In other areas of the county work has commenced on a western relief road for Spalding and the Grantham southern relief road is expected to be completed by winter 2023.

Unemployment:

Local crime, policing and criminal justice information for Lincolnshire can be viewed via the ‘crime mapper’ website. This is a nationally run website with street-level crime and outcomes maps and data, and details of local policing teams.