Police in Lincolnshire have thanked people in the county for "largely sticking to the rules" during the first weekend since the latest easing of coronavirus lockdown regulations.

Image source, Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

While the weekend - the first since bars and pubs could open to customers sitting outdoors under the new rules - was "very busy", the majority of people stuck to the new rules, according to the Lincolnshire force.

Ch Insp Andy Morrice said while the force saw a 20% rise in calls at the weekend, "this increase was to be expected as more people are out and about due to restrictions easing".

However, the force said that during the weekend a man was assaulted and one officer also suffered a minor injury after about 40 people gathered in The Meadows, Stamford.

Two youths were arrested and released and will be required to attend a voluntary interview in connection with the incident, officers added.

Meanwhile, officers also visited "several locations" in Skegness following reports of over six youths gathering and drinking alcohol.

Ch Insp Morrice said: "We would like to thank the majority of people who have stuck to the rules and we would like to reinforce that lockdown has eased and not ended.

"I would encourage people to continue to follow the guidance and ensure they meet in a group of no more than six outdoors. Gatherings indoors are not yet permitted."

BBC Weather

A chilly start with a little patchy fog near the Yorkshire coast clearing this morning. Sunny spells with patchy cloud developing allowing a few showers over the hills this afternoon.

Cloud will thicken this evening and it will stay cloudy tonight in Lincolnshire with light rain in places

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Seven people have been arrested after a man was left seriously injured in an assault in North Lincolnshire at the weekend.

Image source, Google

Police were called to Peveril Avenue in Scunthorpe (pictured) at about 02:30 on Sunday morning after reports a man had been attacked with a weapon.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition is said to be "serious" but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to Humberside Police.

Seven men were subsequently arrested in connection with the assault, six of whom have since been released under investigation while a seventh remains in custody, the force adds.

Det Insp Tom Kelly says: "We have and will continue to search for other individuals believed to be connected with the assault and addresses across Scunthorpe and the wider area will be attended as our inquiries continue.

“We know an incident of this nature will understandably concern the community and officers from the local policing team remain in the area to provide reassurance."

The assault was an "isolated incident between those known to each other" and there is not believed to be a wider risk to the public, he adds.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who has information which might help the investigation, is being asked to contact Humberside Police.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Cyclists wanting to use the footpaths on the Humber Bridge will have to email bridge officials before they can cross, an MP has said.

The two footpaths across the 1.4 mile long bridge were closed on 3 April after a number of deaths in March.

Hull West and Hessle Labour MP Emma Hardy said she was told about the plans in a meeting with the board which runs the bridge.

Additional CCTV cameras were also being installed, she added.

Ms Hardy said work on the new safety measures was "progressing well".

"Contractors were on the bridge on Monday and Tuesday looking at where additional CCTV can go and where a power supply could come from," she said. "A few people asked me why only the west walkway was open and this is because contractors can only access the internal workings of the bridge on the east side and maintenance work is still going on. "The chair wanted me to communicate that they want to open for leisure users ASAP and that the closure is temporary and they will never charge cyclists or pedestrians for using the bridge." The BBC has contacted the Humber Bridge Board for a response.

If you've been affected by issues raised in this story, sources of support are available via the BBC Action Line here.

Thousands of wildflowers are set to spring up later this year thanks to a plan to brighten up a road in North Lincolnshire.

Image source, Google

More than 20,000 sq m of wildflower seeds will be planted alongside parts of the busy A18 over the next three days.

It comes after an army of volunteers helped clear litter and rubbish from Mortal Ash Hill, Scunthorpe, at the weekend ready for planting today.

James Todd, from North Lincolnshire Council, says it will improve the look of one of the main routes into the area.

He adds: "Wildflower species are on the decline, but they do thrive in untouched verge environments, so we thought actually it's an ideal spot to give it a go."

Similar schemes have proved popular, including miles of colour in Rotherham and wildflower verges in Kirklees (pictured above).

BBC Weather

A cold start to the day with a frost in places and patchy fog across Lincolnshire. The fog will lift by the middle of the morning and it will be dry and fine with plenty of sunshine and just small amounts of cloud at times.

A fine evening and it will stay dry and mostly clear through the first part of the night.

Some fog and low cloud will drift into coastal parts of North and East Yorkshire.

Breaking news, sport, weather and travel updates from across North, West, East and South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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BBC Weather

Today it will be a mostly dry and bright day with plenty of sunshine. Chance of a few patches of cloud in the afternoon. Gentle winds.

Tonight, it will be turning clear at first, and a little chilly. A few patches of mist and fog will develop in the early hours, however.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

More than one-in-three police call-outs in Lincolnshire are related to mental health issues.

Image source, Press Association

This trend has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns across the UK, Lincolnshire Police said.

Chief Constable Chris Haward said he is expecting further increases in mental health reports as the county leaves lockdown.

Mr Haward said: “Whilst we can respond to the initial crisis, it’s actually how do we deal with those people in crisis once the police have been, and how do we engage mental health practitioners, how do we engage with the NHS and how do we work as a partnership to try and help these people who are so vulnerable?"

Young people appeared to be hit more disproportionately than anybody else, he said.

“As an emergency service, we’ve got to be there to help with that but we’ve also got to be mindful that there is a wider response that is required here from our health partners, ambulance services and our local authorities about what that care might look like in the community,” he added.

BBC Weather

Today will start dry and sunny with some patchy cloud developing later, however, there will still be plenty of sunshine.

The odd shower may drift in from the east during the afternoon.

This evening, patchy cloud will tend to clear, leaving a dry night with lengthy clear spells.

A few patches of mist or fog are likely to develop towards dawn.

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BBC Weather

Any patches of early morning mist or fog will lift to leave a mostly dry day with sunny spells.

Some patchy cloud may develop later in the day, bringing the chance of the odd light shower.

Tonight, any lingering showers will ease to leave a dry night with extensively clear skies throughout.

Areas of mist or fog and a few showers may develop towards dawn.

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Eight people have been fined for breaching lockdown restrictions after police raided three separate house parties in Lincoln.

Image source, PA

Lincolnshire Police said the gatherings were reported by members of the public and took place at properties in Dunholme Court, Pine Close and Longdales Road within hours of some restrictions being eased on Monday.

Non-essential shops, gyms and pubs with outdoor seating were allowed to open, but the rules around indoor gatherings have not changed, Ch Supt Jon McAdam said.

He said although the numbers found at each property were relatively low - between six and 10 people - it was vital "that we don’t become complacent and we continue to stick to the rules".