The number of incidents of ‘indecent exposure’ has risen in Lincolnfor a fourth year running.

In 2011 alone 58 cases were reported to Lincolnshire Police Force. There is speculation as to why this is happening and what can be done to stop acts like this continuing to grow.

Although the circumstances of these cases are not  specified for each incident, some believe thatLincoln’s ever expanding club scene could be a major contributing factor to the level of exposures.

As a general aspect of safety in the city centre, here are regularly police patrols out on the streets of Lincoln at night.  During club closing times, many of the officers are on hand to stop or prevent street violence as well as assist those who may be a danger to others and themselves.

Ex- nightclub bouncer Lance Jefferies, 45, said: ‘There can be issues with both males and females drinking too much and this has in some cases ended up with them exposing too much of themselves.’

To help stop such behaviour in clubs, bouncers like Lance are on hand to deal with situations like that and others before they get out of control.

‘It’s important we stop it before it gets too much as it could be offensive to people around them and people don’t want to see that on their night out.

‘We give warnings to people who are too drunk that they will be escorted out for their own safety and the people around them…exposing yourself in a club will get you kicked out so just don’t do it’

Not all people in Lincolnshire noticing a problem however, and find that general drunken behaviour can be more of a worry than this specific act.

Kimberly Kent, 21, said: ‘If I was aboard I think it would be more likely to see this kind of thing, but here I don’t feel like people would randomly do that’

Saiqa Bashir, 20,  added ‘I think more about what people would say more than what they would do with things like that…the majority of the time it’s just people screaming and shouting that I’m more wary off.’

The actions of drunken people are not the main issue here however. It remains evident in the statistics that indecent exposures is and continues to be on the rise and is a situation that needs to be monitored.

[Photo Property of Lincolnshire Police Force.]

The University of Lincoln has been running a Healthy Campus Week to encourage both students and staff to eat healthily, engage in sport activities and look after and care for their bodies.

Throughout the week both the city campus and Riseholme campus have been holding sporting events, master classes, taster sessions and more in a variety of activities, sports and health lessons.

Events ranged from Acupuncture to a ‘Body MOT’ where students and staff could have a 15 minute body session where they would have their Blood pressure, body fat, weight, peak flow and fitness measured by a qualified individual.

The campus were also giving away free fruit and vegetable at certain times and places throughout the week to encourage students to eat more healthy or perhaps consider the healthy options in the canteen.

The universities gym was on board allowing people with disabilities to book into having a free gym induction and taster session. This may help to encourage people with a disability to join the gym or participate in a sporting activity if they had not realised the facilities at the university can cater for their needs.

Emma Chamberlain, 21, is studying ‘Sports Science’ at the university and said: “ I think this week is such a good idea. It’s really allowing people to try all aspects of sport from gym work outs to yoga and aerobics. There’s so many ways to keep fit and healthy without making massive changes to your lifestyle and daily routine.

I think this week will show people how that can be done and more importantly how participating in a sport can be really fun and rewarding.”

The weeks programme also features a range of ‘give it a go’ activities which are perhaps sports that people may not have heard of or thought about trying. ‘Give it a go Abs blast’ and ‘box & ball’ were two such options along with a mini introduction to golf.

Callum Bruce, 19, studies Golf Science at the University, he said: ‘The give it a go sessions are brilliant because it means people can just go and try new things out. I love the fact that golf’s in there because people can be reluctant to try it because they think its boring or for old people.

‘People I have spoken to who have tried the golfing didn’t realise how much walking is actually involved and it just highlights that people can get exercise doing things that aren’t always high energy sports’

On another serious note, there are health checks also being offered for sexually transmitted diseases and also help and advice on offer for issues around safe sex and general body well being.

The Health week draws to an end on Friday, but there are occasional activities such as ‘walk to work week’ happening throughout the rest of March and April.

The University of Lincoln has appointed a permanent Head of Law for the first time.  

The position will be filled by Professor Duncan French who joins from the University of Sheffield, where he acted as Professor of International Law and as Deputy Head of the Sheffield School of Law.

Prof. French studied law at the universities of East Anglia and Nottingham, before completing a PhD at the University of Wales (Cardiff).

His principal research interests are public international law, international environmental law, the international legal implications of sustainable development and legal aspects of international monetary, trade and investment regimes (including the law and practice of the World Trade Organisation).

Prof. French has previously had a monograph on international law and sustainable development published by the Manchester University Press in 2005 and has edited numerous collections on International Law that have made publication.

Prof. French said: “I’m very much looking forward to contributing towards the growth of the Lincoln Law School. I’ll be looking to build on existing strengths, including further development of the research agenda. We’ll be making numerous academic appointments this year, as well as continuing to grow our postgraduate and international profile.

The newly appointed Head of the Law school becomes the first to hold the position on a permanent basis. The role had previously been shared on rotation between the School’s other professors – John Peysner and Richard Stone.

Dean of Faculty, Professor David Head, said: “Professor French’s appointment is a strategically significant development for the University, coming as it does during a period of major advances for the University and soon after the relocation of the Lincoln Law School to a new building with dedicated facilities, including a Moot Court.”