If you happen to walk the City's streets in the early mornings, this is what you'll see. Takeout packaging and uneaten food were scattered across the streets; these pictures were taken in the Market Street area of the city this morning around 6 a.m. Restaurant and takeaway owners should be required to fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities by cleaning the area outside their establishments, rather than depending on the City Council's street cleaning teams. In

A police cordon is in place on Belvoir Street this morning. Sections of the street have been cordoned off following an overnight incident. A cordon has been set up near Harvey's nightclub, where a first aid kit and other items are visible within the taped-off section. We have reached out to Leicestershire Police for further details on this incident. More to follow. Pictures by Leicester Media Online

If there’s one thing we are incredibly proud of it is the way in which the Leicester and Leicestershire LGBTQ+ community celebrate during the summer. From the region’s biggest Pride parade and party in Leicester to the four events around the districts and market towns, it’s a fabulous time to get glammed up and show out! Whatever you’re doing for Pride month, there are plenty of chances to show your support across Leicester and Leicestershire, whether you’re part of the LGBTQ

The University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden will come alive with music, family entertainment and hands-on activities this September as it welcomes visitors to its annual Community Festival. Taking place on Sunday 6 September, the festival offers a packed programme of events within the Gardens and the historic Beaumont House, bringing together local performers, traders, and food vendors. The festival will also allow visitors the opportunity to discover more about the future o

Officers are appealing for help to locate a 46-year-old woman who has been reported missing. Helen Charles was last seen near the area of Welford Road, Leicester, on Tuesday evening (7 July). She has not been seen since and officers and her family are extremely concerned for her welfare. Helen is described as 5ft 1in tall with long brown hair. She has a butterfly tattoo on her left ankle and a paw print tattoo on her right ankle. Helen also has a nose ring. Helen was last s

A guide to some of the many free and low-cost family activities taking place in Leicester this summer is now available on the council’s website. The city’s museums have come up with a packed programme of special events, with activities taking place at Newarke Houses Museum every Wednesday – and with the Abbey Pumping Station opening its doors on both Mondays and Tuesdays during the school holidays. Leicester’s historic Guildhall will be hosting regular events too – including

An international drug trafficker responsible for importing 1,000kg of cocaine to the UK and handling more than £7 million in criminal cash has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Thanks to the work of specialist officers, Stephane Hassiakos was identified as playing a leading role in the importation and widespread distribution of cocaine in the country, particularly across the East Midlands. After analysing a wealth of evidence from an encrypted chat platform including imag

Multiple Fire crews tackling a house fire on Coral Street in the Belgrave area of the city this afternoon. No persons are reported, the cause is not yet known. Local people should close doors and windows to avoid smoke inhalation. Currently there are eight fire engines, including an aerial ladder platform and support welfare at the scene. Motorists should avoid the area and expect delays. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service shared that they were dealing with the incident o

A senior detective has praised the courage shown by a rape victim after a man was jailed today (Friday 10 July). Having been convicted of attempted murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery following a trial in April, Macaulay Worden was sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court. He attacked his victim on the canal towpath near Belton Road in Loughborough in the early hours of 30 August last year, pushing them to the ground and repeatedly pu

It’s the third heatwave of the summer with no rain expected and we’re seeing people use much more water for longer periods than usual, and whilst we don’t have any restrictions in place, we’d really welcome everyone’s support to be mindful of water use. In one day alone this week, an extra 203 million litres of water was used, and on average, people are using an extra 44 litres of water each day. Water is being used for longer and the usual ‘evening peak’ that finishes at 9pm

Leicestershire Police are urging football fans to plan their journey home ahead of England's World Cup match on Saturday after 120 people have been arrested so far as part of the summer drink and drug drive campaign. Officers say the figures show too many motorists are still getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, with arrests continuing across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland throughout the tournament. Since the campaign began, 89 people have be

An investigation is continuing today after a man was stabbed in Market Harborough last night (Sunday 5 July). Police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to Shropshire Close just before 11.30pm after it was reported a man in his 20s had been found with a stab wound injury. He was taken to hospital, where remains in a critical condition. Shortly before 3.30am today (Monday), officers maintaining a scene preservation were approached by another man in his 20s who

A man who raped and began sexually abusing a teenage boy in 2015 has been jailed. Mark Watson was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 9 July). The 55-year-old’s offending was brought to the attention of police in 2021 when the victim, who is now an adult, told a third-party what had happened between 2015 and 2018. He told officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) that Watson had raped him on several occasions and forced

Saturday 1st August 2026 This year's theme will be Crowned by Culture - Caribbean Queens and Kings Tickets and Entry This year, we're going digital! To help make your carnival experience smoother and faster, we’re encouraging everyone to purchase their tickets online through our website. You can also pick them up in person at Stabana Cultural Products, 119 Charles Street, LE1 1FA. Buying in advance means you’ll be able to breeze through our fast-track entry points at the park

11th July - 12th July Join us for a special weekend celebrating the Great Central Railway’s journey towards reunification. Explore both halves of the railway as we look ahead to reconnecting Loughborough and Nottingham, creating an incredible 18-mile heritage railway through the heart of the East Midlands. With one inclusive ticket giving access to all sites, train travel, and our special Heritage Rail Replacement Bus Service, there’s plenty to discover across the railway. Fr

The multi-award winning Cosby Yarn Bomb is back! 9th July - 29th July Come along and see the beautiful village of Cosby decorated with incredible knitted and crocheted installations, which this year has the theme 'Around the World in 80 Displays'! Cosby Yarn Bomb is an uplifting outdoor trail of 80 textile art installations created by the community for the community with the purpose of improving wellbeing, reducing feelings of isolation & bringing communities together. This

As schools shut for summer, free bus travel for all 5-to-15-year-olds in England will be available next month. Roads Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Bath today (Thursday 9th July) to meet local leaders and bus companies ahead of the cost-of-living-busting free travel measures launching in time for summer holidays. With child fares typically costing between £1 and £2, families will be able to save on the cost of travel on all participating buses in England from 1 August unt

The National Space Centre is turning up the glitter this summer with the launch of Cosmic Dancing Queens, a brand-new ABBA‑inspired party night and the latest instalment in its fast-growing after-hours live music series Sat 15th August 2026 Following the sell-out success of Cosmic Country and Cosmic Emo, this much-anticipated next chapter swaps cowboy boots and eyeliner for platform boots, sequins and disco anthems, promising a high-energy night of sing-alongs, dancing and p

UHL is proud to have been included in the Sunday Times’ top 100 UK apprenticeship providers list, for the second year running. The Trust is named in the 2026 list, which celebrates organisations that demonstrate excellence in apprenticeship recruitment, training, diversity and completion outcomes. UHL is ranked tenth out of the health and social care providers included, and 86th overall. Apprenticeships support a wide range of areas across UHL, including business administrati

People struggling with substance misuse who come into police custody will receive expert help to recover from addiction and turn their backs on crime thanks to a step up in drug testing. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews is increasing funding for the area’s Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) service to boost testing capacity to divert more vulnerable people into treatment. The PCC is investing £200k in the service over the next two