City centre warden to help tackle Lincoln shoplifting

The warden is being paid for by Lincoln's Business Improvement Group, which is funded by local traders

A warden has been introduced to help to deal with thefts from shops in Lincoln city centre.

The post is being funded by the city's Business Improvement Group, which is funded by local traders.

Lincolnshire Police said the warden would gather initial evidence, including CCTV footage, and pass it on to investigating officers.

Sgt Steve Parker said it was about "a smart way of working" to get "better long term results".

"In order to long term deter offenders, we need to actually get them into the criminal justice process," he said.

"It's just allowing us to utilise that time to prosecute the offenders to try and deter them more long term rather than actually acting just as a deterrent on the day."

The force said that all the investigation work, such as viewing CCTV footage, taking statements, identifying suspects and arrests would still be carried out by police officers.