Man 'whipped with lead' among dozens targeted in Lincolnshire

In 2014, the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board was told 34 people were victims of financial exploitation in the market town

A man held hostage and whipped with a dog lead was among dozens of vulnerable people exploited for money by criminals in a market town, a report said.

Thirty-four people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or drug addictions were targeted by loan sharks and physically or sexually abused.

The financial exploitation was known to agencies in Lincolnshire but they often failed to report incidents to police.

Lincolnshire Police apologised for not reacting "quick enough" in some cases.

More on this story and others in Lincolnshire

In 2014, police started to investigate after one officer pieced together information about a number of people involved in financial exploitation.

A report was commissioned by Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board, with contributions from across social care, health, police and housing.

It found the abuse was "not a hidden picture", with it known to the agencies working with the exploited individuals but they failed to "routinely record" the details and pass them on to the police.

The market town in question was not identified due to the risk of identifying the vulnerable people featured in the report.

David's story

David, not his real name, has mental health needs arising from schizophrenia and personality disorder. He also struggles with drug addiction.

In 2014, he told support agencies he had been held hostage for two weeks and physically assaulted including being hit with a dog lead and punched until he was unconscious.

David, who is a long-term victim of intimidation, physical assault, theft and exploitation, declined to report it to the police as he was worried about the consequences,

Lincolnshire Police were not informed by any of the three agencies who were aware of this allegation.

David remains vulnerable to exploitation and agencies continue to work together to support him.

The report said the lack of recording incidents "severely impaired" police efforts to gather information and secure prosecutions.

In its recommendations, the report suggested agencies should review recording practices and to ensure the methods of sharing intelligence at an early stage are effective.

It also highlighted examples of "committed practitioners and agencies" who were working hard to help individuals.

A Lincolnshire Police officer pieced together information about a number of people involved in financial exploitation

Det Supt Pete Grayson, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "I would want to apologise that we didn't react quick enough in some of these instances.

"There are certainly instances where we could've done better and been quicker here, but I take a very positive view from the review that we will do better."

Glen Garrod, executive director for adult care and public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Irrespective of which professional is involved, it's terribly important they don't become desensitised to the lifestyle that someone is leading.

"That's one of the dangers that we face, and in a number of cases that did happen."