Policing Minister Nick Hurd has confirmed to Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, that the government will boost funding for Lincolnshire Police in response to pressure from local Conservative MPs.

The local police force will receive an additional £8.6 million for 2019/20 compared to the year before, bringing the direct funding to £122.4 million.

“You have raised this issue with me personally on a number of occasions,” Mr Hurd said in a hand-written note to Sir Edward, admitting that he “recognise[s] the pressure that Lincolnshire Police is under.”

“There is more public money going into the force,” the minister confirmed, “and later this year I believe that we will address the ‘fair funding’ issue through the Comprehensive Spending Review.”

“This is good news for Lincolnshire,” Sir Edward said welcoming the news. “Our police have done a noble job in keeping costs down but there has been a real need for them to be better resourced. I’m glad the minister has heard our protests and responded to them.”