Local Democracy Reporting Service

The leader of South Holland District Council says he expects the area will stay “unjustly” in tier three - very high alert - coronavirus lockdown as infection rates in Lincolnshire remain above the national average.

Image source, REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

The latest government data shows Lincolnshire’s infection rate for the most recent seven-day period to be 251.6 cases of Covid-19 per 100,0000 people, compared to the England average of 166.3.

Only one of Lincolnshire’s districts is currently under the England average - South Holland with 113.7 - along with North East Lincolnshire (115.9) and North Lincolnshire (165.4).

Lord Gary Porter, leader of the council, said: "It’s looking likely South Holland District Council will stay unjustly in tier three.

"Can I ask all our residents to carry on with the rules as best we can, we don’t want you getting Covid-19 just to have a go at Her Majesty’s Government."

The county was put into the toughest tier three restrictions, along with much of the country, on 2 December after numbers spiked rapidly during the second lockdown.

The government is expected to announce any changes to tiers on Wednesday.

Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health Derek Ward on Friday refused to speculate on the figures.

However, Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty highlighted Lincolnshire as an area of concern for Covid-19 infections during the government’s press briefing on Thursday, suggesting some areas could face even tougher restrictions.

A 19-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 12-year-old Roberts Buncis has been released, Lincolnshire Police say.

Roberts's body was found on a patch of land in the Fishtoft area of Boston on Saturday.

The 19-year-old man was arrested yesterday and has now been released "with no further action", according to the Lincolnshire force.

A 14-year-old boy, who can't be named due to his age, appeared before magistrates in Lincoln earlier charged with Roberts's murder and is due before Lincoln Crown Court this afternoon.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murdering a 12-year-old boy found dead two days before his birthday.

Image source, Family Handout

Roberts Buncis (pictured right, with his father) was found on a patch of land in the Fishtoft area of Boston, Lincolnshire, on Saturday.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared before magistrates in Lincoln on Monday and is due before Lincoln Crown Court later.

During the brief hearing he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address before being remanded into custody.

A 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remained in custody, Lincolnshire Police said.

Roberts's body was discovered at about 10:20 on Saturday on a patch of land between Alcorn Green and Woodthorpe Avenue.

A police cordon is in place around the area and a bouquet of flowers has been left at the scene.

A fire at a restaurant in North Lincolnshire last week is being treated as an arson attack, police have confirmed.

Image source, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service

Emergency services were called to the scene of the fire at The Curry Leaf on High Street in Epworth at about 01:00 on Tuesday 8 December.

The building was well alight and residents nearby had to leave their properties.

No-one was injured as a result of the fire, but extensive damage was caused to the restaurant and a flat above, according to Humberside Police.

The blaze is thought to have been started deliberately and is being treated as arson, the force adds.

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating the circumstances which led to this fire. As part of this investigation, we are appealing for witnesses to the incident itself to contact us."

As investigations continue into the death of a 12-year boy in Lincolnshire at the weekend, police have issued a photograph.

Image source, Family Handout

Roberts Buncis, pictured above with his father, was found on a patch of land behind Alcorn Green in the Fishtoft area of Boston on Saturday morning.

Lincolnshire Police said the force's thoughts were with Roberts' family and friends on what would have been the boy's 13th birthday.

A 14-year-old-boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder. He has been remanded and is due to appear in court today.

A 19-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody, according to Lincolnshire Police.

People the Fishtoft area of Boston say they're in shock after the body of a 12-year-old boy was found there at the weekend.

Roberts Buncis was found on a patch of land behind Alcorn Green on Saturday morning.

The scene remains cordoned off this morning and passers-by have told the BBC they were upset to hear what had happened, with some breaking down in tears.

One woman said: “It's absolutely shocking, it’s unbelievable. We’ve not been here long, we only moved in in August, but it’s not something you expect to happen on your doorstep. It’s really sad.

“I don’t know what sort of world we are living in. We have children, so what the parents are going through, you can’t even imagine it.

“I think the community is going to be in shock for a little while because it’s normally quiet around here.”

Another man said: “It’s hard to get your head around when they are so young, and the time of year doesn’t help with it being Christmas. I feel sorry for the family and anyone who knows them – it’s very sad.”

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder.

A 19-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody.

A police cordon is still in place in Fishtoft after the death of a 12-year-old boy over the weekend.

Roberts Buncis was found on a patch of land behind Alcorn Green on Saturday.

The area between Alcorn Green and Woodthorpe Avenue is still cordoned off.and a bouquet of flowers has been left at the scene.

Lincolnshire Police said a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been charged with murder.

A 19-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody.

Det Supt Martyn Parker: "This is a devastating incident in which a young boy has lost his life.

"The impact will no doubt be felt greatly in the community and beyond."

A teenager has been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old boy found dead in Lincolnshire.

Roberts Buncis was found on a patch of common land behind Alcorn Green in the Fishtoft area of Boston on Saturday.

Lincolnshire Police said a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, had been charged with murder and was due to appear in court later.

The force said a 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remained in police custody.