Kevin Shoesmith

Lincolnshire Police seized more than 1,200 cannabis plants, estimated to be worth £1.5m, from a building on Bridge Street in Gainsborough. The operation was powered by illegally abstracted electricity, causing fuse boxes to melt and creating a serious fire risk to neighboring properties. Northern Powergrid engineers excavated part of the road to make the building safe. No arrests have been made, and police say investigations are continuing.

Lucy Ness says Humberside Police told her that ashes returned by funeral director Robert Bush were animal remains rather than those of her miscarried baby. Police found that Bush collected the baby's ashes two days after he had already given Ness and her partner an urn. Bush is being sentenced at Hull Crown Court for 67 offences, including denying 30 people a decent and proper burial and fraud involving strangers' ashes. The case has intensified calls for stronger regulation of the funeral industry, while Ness says the uncertainty has seriously affected her mental health.

Repeated thefts from honesty boxes are forcing Lincolnshire baker Lee McCann to replace his unmanned cake shed with a staffed trailer and remove cash payments. Similar incidents have affected roadside stalls and bakery businesses elsewhere, but criminology and forensic-psychology experts reject the idea that Britain is becoming broadly less honest. They argue that theft is driven by individual financial pressures, substance use, opportunity and the belief that offenders will not be caught. Despite the losses, they believe honesty boxes can continue to work in communities where trust and deterrence remain strong.

Repeated thefts have forced Lincolnshire baker Lee McCann to end cash payments at his honesty-box shed, close it earlier and replace it with a staffed trailer. Similar incidents involving a child’s roadside stall, a Guernsey bakery and a Lincolnshire farmer illustrate the risks facing unattended payment systems. Criminologists argue that Britain has not generally become less honest, attributing thefts to personal hardship, drug-related motives and offenders’ belief that they will not be caught. Despite the losses, experts believe honesty boxes can continue to work in communities where trust and effective safeguards remain.

Public health officials in North East Lincolnshire are urging Year 13 students and young people under 25 entering higher or residential further education to get the free meningitis B vaccine. MenB can cause severe, life‑threatening illness, but two doses significantly reduce the risk. The vaccination programme, prompted in part by a recent fatal outbreak in Kent, is available via local walk‑in pharmacies until 31 December.

Residents in Scunthorpe broadly welcome the government’s nationalisation of British Steel, viewing it as essential to protecting local jobs, preserving the country’s ability to produce virgin steel and safeguarding a key industry. Some remain cautious about long-term profitability amid global competition and the decline of the sector over decades. Opinions vary in optimism, but most agree the move is significant for the town’s future and the UK’s industrial capability.

Residents of Scunthorpe broadly welcome the nationalisation of British Steel, viewing it as essential to protecting jobs, sustaining the local economy and preserving the UK's ability to produce virgin steel. While many express optimism about safeguarding future generations, some remain cautious about long-term profitability and the industry’s diminished scale. The government’s move is seen as necessary to secure a vital national capability, with locals emphasising both the economic and strategic importance of keeping the Scunthorpe steelworks operational.

French maritime rules currently prevent Karl Bushby from attempting an English Channel swim from France to the UK, complicating his long‑running effort to complete a global trek without motorised transport. After Eurotunnel rejected his request to walk through a service tunnel, he began planning a potential October swim, securing a support boat while seeking an exemption from French authorities. Bushby aims to resume his route in Belgium in September, with the attempt dependent on regulatory approval and suitable weather conditions.

Hull City Council will resurface pavements across several streets in Orchard Park during July and August, with temporary closures in place. Councillor Mark Ieronimo said the work will improve safety, reduce future repair costs and follows upgrades completed last year. Residents have received letters detailing the schedule.

Tests confirmed blue‑green algae in Pearson Park pond in Hull, prompting officials to advise visitors and pet owners to avoid the water. Hull City Council installed warning signs and shut off the pond’s fountains to reduce contamination risks. Councillor Charles Quinn said the measures are precautionary while water quality is monitored, noting conditions are unlikely to improve until cooler weather arrives.

A 43-year-old man died in a two-vehicle crash in South Killingholme involving a white Volkswagen and a blue Honda. A 42-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, with additional allegations of drug or alcohol impairment. Two other men, both 42, sustained serious injuries. Police appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage as the investigation continues.