Pubs close early but punters pleased to see them open

The Standard has been told the Marine in Lumley Road called time around 9.30pm on Saturday after a fight broke out and a riot van and two ambulances were called to the Suncastle on North Parade.

Other pubs in the town closed to avoid the backlash from customers looking for somewhere else to go.

Lincolnshire Police has thanked officers for working over the weekend during what was "the latest in a great line of challenges" since lockdown began.

Chief Superintendent Chris Davison said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the officers working over the weekend for their professionalism and dedication.

"Over the last months they have worked tirelessly through uncertain and testing times and the opening of pubs was just the latest in a great line of challenges that they have faced. I would also like to thank our specials, partners, street pastors and venue staff.

“As this was an evening with a unique set of circumstances, we don’t have a comparison we can draw statistically, but the number of incidents we were dealing with was broadly in line with what we deal with on a normal weekend night, if anything it was quieter than usual with less people out and not all venues open.

“Much planning and effort was put in by the venues to make sure that the safety measures were clear and that their customers followed them. The majority of people are able to go out, have a good time, and behave responsibly. To the minority that can’t, we will continue to deal robustly with anti-social and criminal behaviour.