North East Lincolnshire Council

Motorcycle thieves in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire are to be targeted with a special spray which it's claimed will make it easier to track them down.

Humberside Police

Humberside Police officers will also use the spray, known as the Offender Tagging Device or OTD, to identify motorcyclists who ride in an anti-social manner in Hull.

All 75 PCSOs in the city have been equipped with the hand-held spray, which will be used on riders or motorcycles.

The OTD spray can be used to identify a suspect if they're arrested at a later date and it has already led to one stolen bike being recovered, the force says.

The number of motorbikes being stolen in Hull has dropped by more than 76% in the last two years, Humberside Police adds.

An investigation into three Humberside Police officers who were arrested last month will be supervised by the police watchdog, it's been confirmed.

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Two officers were arrested in October on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released, but were suspended from work as inquiries continued.

A third officer is currently in custody, according to Humberside Police.

In a statement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it decided a "supervised investigation" was needed after assessing the referral by the forced.

Humberside Police made a referral to us following the officers' arrests. We have assessed this referral and decided that a supervised investigation is required. This is an investigation carried out by the force with the oversight of the IOPC."

All PCSOs and 130 police officers could be cut in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire if pension changes go ahead, according to a group of MPs.

BBC

Eight MPs from the area have written to the Home Secretary Sajid Javid to raise concerns about government plans to increase the amount police forces contribute to officers' pensions.

It could cost the force £2.6m next year and £6.6m the year after, according to Humberside Police.

We need to come together to support our police service in Humberside, otherwise the thin blue line might become just too thin."

A World War One fort in the Humber estuary, which has lain empty since the 1950s, has gone under the hammer for £117,000.

Ian Paterson

Haile Sand Fort, described by auctioneers as "utilitarian in design", was built between 1915 and 1918 to protect the estuary.

The building, off Grimsby, had a guide price of £90,000 for the auction.

The identity of the new buyers is not yet known.

Three people have been charged after 160 animals were removed from a vets and rescue centre during a huge raid.

Dozens of dogs and cats were seized by the RSPCA and police in the raid at 4 Paws in Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, on 22 March.

BBC

Former owner Jodie Fairbrother, Paul Fairbrother and Libby-Jo Fairbrother, all of Nar Fokak, Cyprus, have each been charged with 17 offences.

They are due to appear before magistrates in Grimsby on 26 October.

The prosecution has been brought by the RSPCA.

Pharmacists in Lincolnshire say they're struggling to get stocks of a new flu vaccine for the over 65s.

PA

The vaccine is expected to significantly boost effectiveness by improving the body’s immune response to the vaccine.

Aysha Miah at Barrow Pharmacy says there is demand for the vaccine, but they can't get hold of it.

A spokesperson for NHS England denied there was a shortage.

They added that pharmacists and GPs are expected to get everyone vaccinated before the end of the year.

Seafood industry delegates from across the UK are due to take part in the UK's Seafood Summit near Scunthorpe later.

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There will be discussions about Brexit and fish consumption, alongside talks on the price of fish and the issue of plastic in our seas.

The seafood industry is worth nearly £10bn a year and northern Lincolnshire is one the biggest centres for seafood processing in the country.

A total of 11 Humberside police officers were assaulted in just one night this weekend, according to the force's Chief Constable.

BBC

Lee Freeman said eight officers, a PCSO, a special constable and a custody officer were all attacked.

The Chief Constable described the assaults as "completely unacceptable and not part of the job" and said that all the incidents would be reported.

Members of police staff expect to be confronted with violence, but it shouldn't become part of the job. We have a duty to protect the public and all too often we are prevented from doing that by violent individuals."

Businesses would welcome tolls being scrapped on the Humber Bridge, after it was claimed they could be abolished if Yorkshire got devolution.

BBC

An estate agent, in Barton-upon-Humber, says a free crossing would have a significant impact for the local area.

Steve Burell said: "It would certainly open up North Lincolnshire to East Yorkshire, it would open up the area to a new sector of people."

Yesterday, Stewart Arnold, the leader of the Yorkshire Party, claimed if Yorkshire had similar political powers to Scotland or Wales, then charges may be removed.