A weekend of great food, live music and local creativity is coming up, as Leicester's Abbey Pumping Station hosts its popular Food & Craft Fair. Taking place on Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September, the event will bring together local food producers, artists and artisan makers in the unique surroundings of the city's former pumping station. Fine foods from local producers will be on sale at Abbey Pumping Station’s Food & Craft Fair. Picture credit: AEW Photography Gu

Main Street in Ratby was closed by the police this morning due to a medical emergency. The air ambulance was also in attendance, landing at a nearby park. It’s been reported that an elderly gentleman has fallen near the war memorial. We have no further information on his condition at this time. The road has now been reopened. Police update 16:00 Sad news. A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: The force was called at 10.19am following a report of an elderly man falli

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has written to Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP to express concerns about the proposed appointment of a Commissioner Designate for the National Police Service. You can read the PCC's letter below. Dear Sarah Jones MP. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed appointment of a Commissioner Designate for the National Police Service ahead of the establishment of the National Police Service Board. I recognise the impo

Four country parks are celebrating the internationally recognised Green Flag Award for the second year in a row. Beacon Hill Country Park, Market Bosworth Country Park, Snibston Colliery Park and Watermead Country Park, all managed by Leicestershire County Council, have all received the award which recognise the best parks and green spaces. The honour highlights the great work of the parks in their conservation efforts, visitor experience, accessibility and site management. T

A major new event celebrating the history and heritage of bus transport is set to take place in the Midlands next year, with the Midlands Bus Festival coming to the Great Central Railway and Great Central Railway Nottingham on 8–9 May 2027. Organised jointly by the Great Central Railway, Great Central Railway Nottingham, Leicestershire Transport Heritage Trust and Nottingham Area Bus Society, the festival aims to become the biggest gathering of buses and bus preservation vehi

An investigation by specialists working in the police’s prison intelligence unit has led to a prison officer being jailed for six years. James Speirs had been smuggling phones and drugs to inmates while working at HMP Gartree in Leicestershire. James Speirs The 30-year-old of Stowe Drive, Rugby, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (4 September) after pleading guilty to five offences. For more than four years, detectives working in the East Midlands Special Operat

Yesterday morning Coalville Fire crews attended a washing machine fire which was caused by an electrical fault. Luckily, the homeowners were present at the property and managed to safely turn off the electricity before exiting the premises. Never leave washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers running when nobody is at home. If a fault develops, there may be nobody there to spot it or raise the alarm quickly. With fewer opportunities to dry your laundry outdoors, you may

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has now secured enhanced police patrols for market towns across Leicestershire, delivering on a key commitment to residents, businesses and local communities. By December, Market Harborough, Hinckley, Loughborough, Coalville, Melton Mowbray and Ashby-de-la-Zouch will benefit from additional police patrols focused on tackling persistent concerns around anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, boo

More than 450 free home security devices have been distributed to residents through the Police and Crime Commissioner's Prevent and Protect scheme across two successful collection events. Held in Loughborough on 28th August and Thurmaston on 4th September, the events gave eligible residents the opportunity to collect a free WiFi CCTV camera, video doorbell or motion-sensor security light to help protect their homes from burglary. The eligible postcode areas were identified us

Work will soon begin on a £200,000 project to provide more electric vehicle charging in a Loughborough car park. An artist’s impression of how the canopy will look Charnwood Borough Council is investing in a new solar canopy, battery storage system and electric vehicle charging hub at Southfield Road Extension Car Park. Work is due to start on Monday, 7 September 2026, and is expected to be completed by early October. Southfield Road Extension Car Park Cllr Beverley Gray,

A piano studio in Hinckley, where students range from toddlers taking their first music lessons to retirees embracing a new challenge, has become one of the first businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be recognised as a Mental Health Friendly Place. The recognition was awarded by Leicestershire County Council's Public Health team. Pianista Music Studio has joined a growing network of Mental Health Friendly Places across the area, recognising organisations tha

The Leader of Charnwood Borough Council has issued a statement following the announcement by Government that it is reviewing local government reorganisation decisions for a number of areas, including Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. In July this year, the Government announced that it had made a decision to replace the 10 councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with two new unitary councils to deliver all services. It now says that decision, along with other de

Supporting people to live at home, and settle after a hospital stay, is all in a day’s work for a dedicated care team now looking for around 25 new recruits. Leicestershire County Council wants to expand its specialist Homecare and Reablement Team (HART) which helps people return home after a spell in hospital and avoid admission. A big recruitment drive, including videos and a social media campaign, is now live and students, family carers and people after a career change are

Leicester’s historic buildings will reveal their fascinating stories in a series of open days this month – and they’re all free. The annual Heritage Open Days festival – which this year runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September – is a once-a-year chance to find out more about the city’s rich architectural heritage. As well as opening buildings or parts of buildings not normally accessible to the public, organisers are offering guided tours, walks and exhibitions, with more t

The Age UK shop in Leicester Superstore is calling on local people to donate their unwanted items and help change the lives of older people this winter by taking part in The Great Winter Bag Drop. The winter can be one of the toughest times of the year, but for older people it can be even more challenging. One in five older people say they often feel forgotten however this can be made worse during the colder months. Not only can cold temperatures seriously affect older peop

With two people charged with the murder of Geroge Glover, and one teenager found guilty of manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court, it’s been busy for the Leicestershire Police force throughout August. This is just a snapshot of the work the officers have been carrying out. Charged… Abdulrahman Sayedamed Abdullah A man has been charged with drugs offences after officers recovered a quantity of drugs in the city centre. Abdulrahman Sayedamed Abdullah, 22, of no fixed address,

Police officers from East Leicester conducted a raid on a shop in the St Matthew's area of the city and seized a significant quantity of nitrous oxide cans. Local dedicated 16 Beat Team carried out a warrant at a shop in St Matthew's, seizing a huge quantity of nitrous oxide canisters worth approximately £4,500. Nitrous oxide has been illegal to possess for recreational use since 2023. What may seem like harmless "laughing gas" can have serious consequences. If you know of an

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated medical care, including older people’s care, at the Glenfield Hospital as Good overall, following an unannounced inspection in March 2026. The service has improved from its previous rating of Requires Improvement, with the key domains of Safe, Caring, Effective and Responsive rated Good, and the service receiving an Outstanding rating for Well-led. The inspection took place on 2 and 3 March 2026 and included visits to seven wards

There were plenty of smiles across University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) when Ben, a friendly King Charles Spaniel therapy dog, and his owner Ken paid a special visit to patients, visitors and staff. Ken volunteers with Ben once a month to visit UHL, offering companionship, providing comfort and brightening the day for those they meet. On their most recent visit, they spent time in Maternity and the adult and children’s emergency departments, bringing smiles and a

From messy play to read and rhymes, Sessions for 0-2 year-olds and their adults are being held across the county. ‘Baby Fortnight’ is back, with a series of free activity sessions and workshops taking place across Leicestershire for 0–2-year-olds. Running until 18th September, the sessions are aimed at giving parents and carers the support they need to aid their child’s development through simple and engaging activities. Parents and carers can book onto sessions now, which