The Chairman of Lincolnshire Police Federation, the organisation which represents frontline officers, has been defending the use of spit hoods by the force.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

Yesterday, senior officers announced 5,000 spit and bite guards are being introduced by the force in a bid to protect officers from attack.

Human rights groups say they're concerned by their use.

But Jon Hassall, from the Police Federation, says it's a sign of the times that such measures are necessary when officers face being spat at on a regular basis:

Here are the top stories from our Lincolnshire newsroom so far today:

• Police officers reject human rights groups' criticism of spit guards
• A man's arrested after a rush hour crash on the Lincoln bypass
• Major revamp plan is unveiled for the beach at Ingoldmells

An appeal's been made for the driver of a car involved in a crash in Boston last night to come forward.

Police say they want to speak to the driver of a black Honda Civic which was involved in the crash on Skirkbeck Road in Boston at about 22:00 on Tuesday.

Officers say nobody was injured but a 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving.

Plans for more than 200 homes in a village south of Lincoln have been approved.

Two applications on the A607 Grantham Road at Waddington were given approval by the planning committee at North Kesteven District Council

Now 142 homes are set to be built at the south side of the village, while 91 properties are to be developed on the west side of Grantham Road.

Beach huts like this could soon be lining a stretch of coast in Lincolnshire.

The stretch of beach has previously been the focus of complaints from the public.

The privately-owned sands at Ingoldmells have caused headaches for the authorities after concerns over dog mess and litter.

But a local hotelier says he plans to transform the area after buying it from the previous owner and has submitted plans for 60 of the chalets to the council.

Russell Sparkes, who owns the Grosvenor Hotel on nearby Skegness seafront, also has plans to run a new "beach sports" festival on 19 and 20 May this year.

A man's been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a crash on the Lincoln bypass during this morning's rush hour.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said officers were first called to the Riseholme roundabout at 06:35 today after reports of a vehicle hitting the roundabout.

Roads between the Riseholme and Carholme roundabouts on the Lincoln bypass have just been reopened after the vehicle involved was recovered.

Firefighters from Lincolnshire are helping to raise money for a colleague who needs specialist treatment that could extend his life.

Stefan Hawcroft, who was a firefighter with the county brigade, has been fighting an inoperable brain tumour and has been told no further treatment's available on the NHS.

Image source, Emma Jane Hawcroft

His friends and family are now hoping to raise £250,000 for specialist treatment abroad.

Firefighter Kelvin Brooks says they're holding a football match tonight to help raise some of the funds which could help the 29-year-old.

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The A46 Riseholme roundabout in Lincoln is currently closed due to a crash.

Police say traffic is building up on both the A46 city bypass and the A15 inbound.

You're being advised to avoid the area during rush hour.

Image source, Google

Human rights groups say they're concerned about the introduction of spit hoods by Lincolnshire Police.

The force announced yesterday that 5,000 frontline officers will be equipped with the guards - which are also designed to protect against biting.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

The picture above shows one of the hoods being demonstrated by the force yesterday.

But the human rights group, Liberty, has attacked the decision to use the guards, saying you can't get things like HIV or Hepatitis C this way.

James Rudd bled to death after being stabbed during an argument over an innocent remark, a jury hears.

The top stories for Lincolnshire so far today include:

• Grimsby set for jobs boost after seafood firm wins contract to supply fish to major retailer
• Lincolnshire Police will start using "spit hoods" on some arrested people
• A pedestrian suffers serious injuries after being hit by a bus in Grimsby
• Heavy rainfall causes problems on the county's farms, roads and beaches
• Plans for a Lancaster Bomber replica on Lincolnshire's border are delayed

Roy Griffiths was charged after an inquiry into sexual abuse at the former Lincoln Cathedral school.

Two men were injured, one of them seriously, in a fight involving a group of people in Cleethorpes, police say.

Image source, Google

The incident happened near the junction of High Street and Alexandra Road at about 13:30 on Good Friday.

One man was left with a seriously injured leg and another with cheek injuries.

Humberside Police are appealing for anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

Some people actively want to wear "sobriety tags" which are given to others as part of a court orders, according to a Community Rehabilitation Company in Lincolnshire.

The technology, which is being tested as part of community orders in Boston, Louth, Spalding and Skegness, detects alcohol in the wearer's sweat and can lead to jail if someone is found to have drunk alcohol while wearing one.

But it's being claimed that some people who want to cut down their alcohol consumption have now asked rehab companies how they can get hold of them.

Hundreds of jobs could be created in Grimsby after Youngs Seafood won a contract to supply fish to a major retailer.

Image source, Google

The company has announced it has secured three contracts to supply chilled and frozen coated fish, salmon and white fish to Marks and Spencer.

About 200 jobs could be created in Grimsby, but it comes at the expense of 450 roles in Scotland as Youngs has announced plans to close its site in Annan, Scotland.

The news comes a week after Five Star Fish in Grimsby announced plans to close, putting almost 400 jobs at risk.

Enthusiasts hoping to build a life-size replica of a Lancaster Bomber say they've had a small setback in their plans.

Image source, Bomber County Gateway Trust

Members of the Bomber County Gateway Trust want to build the monument (artist's impression pictured above) next to the A46 between Newark and Lincoln.

But they say plans were submitted too late for it to be considered at a planning permission meeting this evening.

The trust says the plans should be ready to discussed at a North Kesteven District Council meeting later this month.

If approved, the trust wants the statue to be built for Armistice Day on 11 November.

Wembley-bound Lincoln City players will head off from Sincil Bank at 11:00 on Saturday morning, it's been announced.

Image source, Getty Images

The team's heading down to Wembley Stadium for the first time in its history for the Checkatrade Trophy Final on Sunday.

The club hopes fans will turn up to give them a good send-off.

Earlier we mentioned that the River Witham is causing some problems in Boston after heavy rainfall this weekend.

Well, it's welly time in part of Lincoln too, where the Witham has flooded a path on the Brayford Wharf:

Image source, Joel Murray

Two men are being sought by police after stealing £200 worth of alcohol from a Lincolnshire supermarket.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

Police say they want to speak to the two men pictured on CCTV after bottles were stolen from the Sainsbury's shop in Spilsby.

If you recognise the people in the picture, you're being asked to get in touch with Lincolnshire Police, external.