Four drug dealers have been jailed for a total of almost 14 years following a police investigation. Nathan Degia, Joshua Davies, Wayne Ayres and Simon Patterson were all arrested as part of warrants carried out by Leicestershire Police in September last year. This followed months of investigative work into a ‘drugs line’ being run in the Leicestershire area. Yesterday (Wednesday 19 January) at Leicester Crown Court, the four were sentenced: Degia, 36, of Walpole Court, Leicester, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison Davies, 24, of Crescent Road, Lutterworth, was sentenced to five years in prison Ayres, 35, of Swithland Avenue, Leicester, was sentenced to two years in prison Patterson, 41, of Hinckley Road, Leicester, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison Enquiries carried out by police had led to phone lines being identified which were being used to orchestrate the sale of class A drugs in the area, namely crack cocaine and heroin. The investigation led to Degia being identified as controlling the line with Davies, operating it. Both Degia and Davies were arrested at their home addresses with crack cocaine and heroin being recovered from both addresses. Cash was also recovered from Degia’s address. Ayres and Patterson were identified as street dealers and were found dealing in the Narborough Road area by police on 6 September this year where they were arrested. Ayres was found with a bag of crack cocaine in his hand. Patterson tried to swallow a bag of class A drugs at the scene but this was recovered from his mouth. The bag was found to contain crack cocaine and heroin. A search at Patterson’s address following the arrest led to the recovery of crack cocaine, heroin and cash as well as business cards which were found. Clockwise from top left - Wayne Ayres, Joshua Davies, Simon Patterson and Nathan Deagia The four men were interviewed and later charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – crake cocaine and heroin. Davies, Degia and Patterson were also charged with possession of criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act. All four pleaded guilty to their charges. Detective Constable Damian Young said: “Degia, Davies, Ayres and Patterson believed they could carry out this drug dealing ‘business’ while evading police. But following investigative work, we were able to bring them to court where they all admitted their involvement. “Drug dealers cause harm to our society and we remain committed to bringing those involved in drug offending to the courts. We urge anyone who has any information regarding drug offences to report it to us so that we can investigate and take the necessary action. You can report online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

A police officer described feeling like he was “fighting for his life” as he tackled a robber at a Leicester home where two people were being held against their will. PC Sam Munton was called to Celandine Road at around 5.20pm on 1 June last year where a gang had broken into the home that morning. A man and a woman had been tied up inside the property and threats had been made with weapons and demands made for money and jewellery. Fadil Anwar Abdirahman was one of the gang members who tried to flee the scene but was tackled to the ground by PC Munton who then battled to keep the suspect detained as Abdirahman continued to fight back. This led to the officer activating his emergency button. Abdirahman was arrested at the scene when additional officers arrived and the victims were safely released. They did not suffer any serious injuries and welfare support was provided. The other suspects fled the scene. Numerous items were stolen. PC Munton suffered injuries to his head, elbow and hand in the incident. Another officer who attended the scene was pushed to the floor by 26-year-old Abdirahman while the arrest was taking place. Abdirahman, of no fixed address, had denied being involved in the incident but yesterday, (Wednesday 19 January) at the start of the trial, he pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to robbery and false imprisonment. At a previous hearing he pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. Today (Thursday 20 January) he was jailed for seven years and one month for the false imprisonment and three years for the robbery, this sentence will run concurrently. He was given two months in prison for the assault on PC Munton, which will run concurrently with the sentence for false imprisonment. In addition, he was given three months for the assault on the second officer, which will run consecutively. Enquiries carried out by police showed that the female victim had been at home on 1 June last year when one of the suspects knocked at the door saying he had a delivery for her. At the same time, two other men were reported to have entered the property with a weapon and made threats. One of the group then grabbed the woman and dragged her upstairs, continuing to make threats. The group began searching the house demanding items and asked where the woman’s husband was before ordering her to make her husband come to the address. Two other suspects arrived at the address a couple of hours later. One was reported to have made threats that he had acid. The woman was tied up at the property – only allowing her to be untied to have food or use the bathroom. She was then ordered to text her husband asking him to come home. This led to her husband arriving home at approximately 4pm where he was taken into the house and tied up. The suspects continued to demand money. The male victim managed to make contact on his phone with a family member and friend who contacted police leading to officers immediately being deployed. Enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the other suspects. Officer in the case, Detective Constable Gemma Allen said: “This was a deeply distressing incident for all those subjected to the violence and threats. We are pleased that Abdirahman has admitted his involvement and we hope that this helps the victims come to terms with what happened and move on from the events of that day. “Officers expect a certain degree of resistance during their duties but no one should be made to feel like their life was in danger. Abdirahman showed the officer no mercy and continued to resist arrest using violence which resulted in the officer sustaining cuts to his head, hands and arms. “Officers put their lives at risk day in, day out, and some level of violence is expected but to continue lashing out at officers who are simply doing their duty is unacceptable. We and the courts take these offences extremely seriously and will prosecute individuals who disrespect law and enforcement.” Leicestershire Police News - 20/01/22

The projects will be paid for from a £1.4 million fund made available to county councillors. Schemes to help reduce the blight of speeding across Leicestershire are being carried out by the county council. They include installing more vehicle activated signs which, when triggered by vehicles travelling at excessive speed, display a ‘slow down’ message or show the required speed. Some county spots will also see village ‘gateway’ signs which are designed so that road users are encouraged to slow down before entry. These speed reduction initiatives were among the most popular schemes put forward by county councillors after a £1.4 million fund was set up to provide small-scale highways and environmental improvements. Each of the 55 councillors received £25,000 from a Members Highway Fund as part of an additional £5 million investment in the county’s highways. Providing additional street furniture, such as bollards and benches, has also been high up on the councillors’ priority list. Other requests received include improved parking schemes, bus shelters, structural testing of lighting columns for parishes, work on public rights of ways and tree planting. Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet lead member for highways and transport, said: “We’ve been delighted with the take-up as it offered an opportunity to establish what really mattered to people in their local community. “I’m not surprised that speeding features so high on the priority list – it’s something which blights communities and we’re committed to doing all we can to influence and ultimately change road users’ behaviour.” The report also outlines that, as part of raft of measures to improve the new scheme, councillors, in future, will be offered a number of options from which to choose their spend for the 2022-23 financial year. Scrutiny members will discuss the report at their next meeting at 2pm on 20th January, the meeting will be shown live on the county council's YouTube channel. Leicestershire County Council News - Monday, 17 January, 2022

Leicester has been announced as one of seven UK cities that will host a national art education project this year that aims to transform understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The World Reimagined will bring a trail of 10 stunning globe sculptures to the streets of Leicester from Saturday 13 August. With themes such as ‘Mother Africa’ and ‘The Reality of Being Enslaved’, the globes will be created by both new and globally-recognised artists to highlight the reality and impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. And it’s not too late for local artists to get involved. The call-out is now open for UK-based artists who would like to design one of the 10 fibreglass globes that will feature in the Leicester trail – with 31 January the deadline for entries. Their designs will sit as part of a national programme that features a globe designed by the project’s founding artist Yinka Shonibare CBE (pictured) – a Turner-prize nominee whose work has been showcased around the world. The art trail will be the centre of a broader learning and community programme – with schools, community groups, sporting and cultural institutions from across Leicester taking part – and will deliver significant community benefit, as well as providing the city with a new and thought-provoking visitor attraction. Members of the World Reimagined team will work closely with people and organisations across Leicester to ensure that the final trails and activities are deeply connected to Leicester’s communities, while schools have until 31 January to apply for bursaries and artist residencies as part of the project. More information for schools and colleges is available here: www.theworldreimagined.org/learning Global public art producers Wild in Art, who have a proven track record in creating world-class events – including last summer’s ‘Rockets Around Leicester’ – are working with the World Reimagined team to deliver the project. Michelle Gayle, co-founder of The World Reimagined, said: “If we’re going to make racial justice a reality for all, it calls on us to courageously face our shared history with honesty, empathy and grace. If we do that, we can create a future in which everyone can say I’m seen. That’s the mission of The World Reimagined and we’re so delighted to work with the people and communities of Leicester. “The response we’ve had so far from communities, artists, schools – everyone – across the country shows the desire for a multi-dimensional telling of our shared history – honouring the many people and organisations who have worked in pursuit of racial justice and extending an invitation to all to join the conversation. We hope you will join us.” Leicester City Council is supporting The World Reimagined project with a £50,000 grant. Assistant city mayor Cllr Sue Hunter, who leads on work to tackle racism and disadvantage, said: “This national project will help improve our understanding of a dark period of history that is perhaps not talked about enough – and by learning about the mistakes of the past, we can ensure they aren’t repeated in the future. “Today, Leicester’s diversity is its strength and I hope that this stunning trail of artworks will inspire us to come together and imagine a future where everyone is treated with dignity – and where equality, diversity and racial justice are universally cherished.” Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our city to be part of a national art project and we look forward to welcoming The World Reimagined to Leicester this year. “These impressive globe sculptures will be the centre of a broader education and engagement programme that will involve schools, community groups and other organisations across the city. “Not only will they provoke debate and help improve our understanding of the impact of the slave trade, but they will also bring a spectacular splash of colour and new interest to the streets of Leicester this summer.” The World Reimagined will take place in Leicester from 13 August – 16 October 2022. Alongside Leicester, The World Reimagined will bring art trails to Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool City Region, London and Swansea – with 250+ schools and colleges taking part, and 2m+ visitors expected to engage with the trails. For more information about The World Reimagined, please go to www.theworldreimagined.org or email hello@theworldreimagined.org. UK-based artists wishing to get involved can find out more at www.theworldreimagined.org/artistopencall/ Leicester City Council News Release - Published on Tuesday, January 18, 2022

A man who seriously assaulted another in a city street has pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (14 January). During the early hours of Tuesday 20 July last year officers were called to the Belgrave Gate area after a report of a fight involving a number of people. When officers arrived, they found a 21-year-old man with serious stab wounds to his chest, the weapon narrowly missed his heart and he lost more than five pints of blood. Shortly after the incident Tadiwanashe Matemadombo, 22, of Grantham Street, Coventry, was arrested and charged the following day. At crown court on Friday Matemadombo (pictured) pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding and possession of bladed article. At a previous hearing he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis. He was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison. Detective Constable James Collins was the investigating officer, he said: “The knife narrowly missed the victim’s vital organs and he was revived at the scene. Unfortunately, following the incident he has lost the sight in his eyes so the long-term impact on his life is significant. “This was an extremely violent attack, witnessed by many people in a public area. “We, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts take knife crime extremely seriously and will all in our powers to bring people to justice. “Our commitment to tackling knife crime is ongoing. We aim to educate people on the dangers and consequences of carrying knives and also provide support and advice to those who know a knife carrier and for parents, carers and bystanders to be able to spot the signs.” For further details about our Lives not Knives campaign visit https://www.leics.police.uk/police-forces/leicestershire-police/areas/leicestershire-force-content/c/campaigns/2019/knife-crime/

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service were called to a Road Traffic collision on Evington Drive around 6pm tonight. 2 vehicle RTC, one car had overturned, no persons reported trapped. all occupants of vehicles had self extricated. All are being assessed by East Midlands Ambulance service. We have no further details on any injuries at this time. Police, fire, and ambulance are all in attendance. The road is currently closed near to the junction of Kilworth Drive, please avoid the area if possible. Video supplied by Shireen Ahmed

Officers from the force’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) are appealing for dashcam footage after a cyclist was knocked off his bike this morning (Monday 17 January). The incident happened on the pedestrian crossing of the junction between Aylestone Road and Middleton Street at around 7.30am. The cyclist – a man in his 20s – was struck by a white van. The cyclist was taken to hospital to be treated for serious injuries. He is in a stable condition. No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident. PC Liam Street, from the RPU, said: “This incident happened on a main route in and out of the city at a time when people will have been going to work or school. I’d like to speak to any motorists who captured the collision on a dashcam or who saw what happened. “Any details you have could help my investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rti/rti-beta-2.1/report-a-road-traffic-incident/ and quoting reference 22*031055. Alternatively call 101.

Three men who formed part of an organised crime group involved in the supply of class A drugs were sentenced on Friday (14 January) at Northampton Crown Court. A routine stop check on the A46 in August 2018 marked the culmination of an investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) which focussed on an organised crime group which was supplying class A drugs into Leicestershire and Hertfordshire from Nottinghamshire, Merseyside and Cambridgeshire. During the police operation more than a kilogram of cocaine stamped ‘Gold’ was seized from a Mercedes, near Castle Donington, half a kilogram of heroin was recovered from an Astra near Leicester and £35,000 was found hidden in a dustbin in Liverpool. In addition, half a kilogram of cocaine and £8,500 cash was recovered, which was thrown out of a Mercedes by a defendant who was convicted in 2019, just before he climbed up a tree to escape from officers. During the lengthy police investigation into the main players in the organised crime group Reece Fraser, Jay Taylor and Vincent Robinson were found to be involved in the collection and delivery of the illegal drugs. All three men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs namely cocaine in November 2021. Fraser (32) of Acacia Drive, Nottingham was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, however, due to the time served on remand he would not need to serve any additional term in prison. Taylor (34) of Carnarvon Grove, Carlton, Nottingham and Robinson (59) of First Avenue, Carlton, Nottingham were both sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. They were also both ordered to complete unpaid work. Previously nine men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. At Leicester Crown Court, between Wednesday 20 and Friday 29 November 2019, they were sentenced, as follows: Michael Graham (39) and formerly of Derby Road, Liverpool, was jailed for 12 years. Kristian Lynas King (47) formerly of Forest Gate in Anstey, Leicester, was jailed for nine years and eight months. Kulraj Gill (48) formerly of Fox Hollow in Oadby, Leicester, was jailed for four years and 10 months Deon Farrow (29) formerly of Willow Brook Road in Leicester, was jailed for seven years and eight months Neil Falanga (40) formerly of Aldeburgh Close, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was jailed for six years. Marc Fleetwood (34) formerly of Rice Lane in Liverpool, was jailed for five years and nine months. Akbar Pathan (37) formerly of Mount Avenue in Leicester, was jailed for two years and six months. Ameen Jogee (32) formerly of London Road, Leicester, was jailed for two years and four months. Ameed Hussain (33) formerly of Windmill Street, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, was jailed for four years. A tenth man was acquitted. EMSOU Detective Chief Inspector James Avery said: “This was an organised group of drug dealers with national reach. “Now that all those involved have been dealt with by the courts, and heroin and cocaine with a street value of £170,000 removed from circulation, we see yet another criminal enterprise dismantled and communities across the country no longer suffering the harm caused by them. “But we’re not stopping there. The next stop is recovering their criminal proceeds through the Proceeds of Crime Act.” Leicestershire police News release dated 17th January 2022

Leicestershire Police is joining forces up and down the country to support ‘Neighbourhood Policing Week’ – a national campaign aimed at highlighting the work of neighbourhood officers. Taking place between Monday 17 and Sunday 23 January, it will see the police service across the UK highlight the work officers carry out every single day to prevent crime and keep our communities safe. Across the week in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, officers will be carrying out their daily work but with a greater emphasis on shouting out about it using force social media channels. This will include engagement activity such as visiting schools to talk to students, using a knife arch in key locations, carrying out knife sweeps in parks and elsewhere, visiting habitual knife carriers, talking to licensees, holding beat surgeries and walk-abouts with local councillors, visiting areas known for anti-social behaviour, and liaising with partners including health and social care organisation, Turning Point, which works across mental health, substance misuse and learning disabilities. In addition, there will also be targeted operational activity. Officers are taking the opportunity to encourage people to sign up to Neighbourhood Link - a free email alert system from the force, Neighbourhood Watch and other partner organisations, providing relevant news and updates on policing where you live and work. Superintendent Paul Allen from the force’s Local Policing Directorate (LPD) said: “While this work isn’t out of the ordinary, the week itself gives us the opportunity to highlight what officers and staff are doing in our neighbourhoods every day of the week. In addition to problem solving, our teams are out in communities engaging with people and working with councils, schools, charities and other organisations, to prevent harm, while of course being able to respond to incidents as and when they happen. “It’s vital that officers are part of the communities they police. The causes of crime are many and varied and no one organisation can solve this on their own – that’s why Leicestershire Police is taking a public health approach and working alongside partners including local authorities, education, health and the criminal justice system to divert people away from crime and tackle its root causes. Our neighbourhoods and the people who live in them also have a part to play in this and therefore fostering strong relationships can only help. “Our officers work hard every day to make a difference and I’m delighted that this week will give us the chance to show just that, while providing an opportunity for us to promote Neighbourhood Link and other important public safety campaigns led by or supported by the force.” Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, is supporting the week. He said: “I know just how valuable good neighbourhood policing is to those living in our communities. Neighbourhood officers, with their local knowledge and intelligence are the bedrock of local policing. Their contribution to community safety must not be underestimated. They are a big part of community life and working with local residents, they boost trust and confidence in the police. “This week gives us all opportunity to show our appreciation of the work they do, to encourage people to get more involved with their local neighbourhood teams and boost relationships with the diverse communities across the whole force area.” Follow the campaign on social media via #TeamLeicestershire and #InYourCommunity

166 groups share over £170,000 in 2021 thanks to the Central England Co-op Community Dividend Fund. Central England Co-op handed out over £170,000 to 136 charities and good causes as part of its revamped Community Dividend Fund during 2021 in a bid to help support access to food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment. A wide range of charities and community organisations were delighted to receive the funding boost during the past 12 months. Groups apply for between £100 to £5,000 every two months to support all manner of projects with organisations in the following areas benefitting from a grant: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire and Wolverhampton. Jim Watts, Society Secretary, said: “Community Dividend Fund grants showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a Society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area – especially during uncertain times like these. “Our relaunched fund aligns with our new Society Purpose to create a sustainable Society for all and we are delighted to share these funds with these amazing groups and cannot wait to see how they use it to benefit their local community. “I would like to urge all of our members to get in touch and put forward a community cause close to their heart for the Community Dividend Fund scheme during the coming 12 months.” To apply, members will need: name, address, membership number, organisation type, organisation bank account or constitution and to explain what the group does, how the grant will be spent and the specific impact it will have related to Covid-19. People can find out the full criteria and how to apply for funding by visiting https://www.centralengland.coop/community/ Leicestershire Feed the Need Coalville - £5,000 – to help support the new food bank to ensure its premises are safe, warm and Covid-19 secure Founder Felicity Middleton said: “The grant will be used to renovate our premises in Coalville which we moved into at the beginning of January. We want to create a warm, safe and welcoming space where people can come to collect food parcels and receive support and advice with money problems. I don’t know why we were the ones to be chosen but I hope that our application showed that we were genuinely inspired and motivated to help the community that both relies on us and supports us through this most difficult time.” Broughton Astley Volunteer Group - £1,200 – to pay for two all-weather benches made from recycled plastic for community use post pandemic A group spokesperson said: “The Broughton Astley Volunteer Group are absolutely delighted to receive funding. The grant will be used to provide seating in the wildlife garden which is accessible to all the village. This will also provide a resting area to over 50 volunteers who have signed up for our conservation group who will be working on maintaining the site. We firmly believe that this area will benefit the whole community as well as providing quite a peaceful setting to enable outdoor counselling to take place.” Charnwood 2020 (Loughborough) - £1,000 – to help support special community groups for girls in two struggling areas Feed the Need (Coalville) - £1,000 – to help buy food, toiletries and cleaning materials for those who have fallen into poverty due to the pandemic Felicity Middleton said: “Feed the Need Coalville are delighted and very grateful to have been awarded £1,000 towards the cost of food parcels for vulnerable families in our community. The Coronavirus pandemic means that more and more people are struggling to put food on the table so this will make a real difference to them.” Chroma Church - £1,000 – to help pay for food and toiletries Ruth Hollington said: “Chroma Church Food Bank is delighted to receive £1,000 from Central England Co-op’s Community Dividend Fund. This generous donation has enabled us to continue to offer, the essential food and hygiene products our clients require.” Braunstone Community Life Food Bank - £1,000 – to help pay for food supplies and sanitary items Quorn Village CIC - £1,000 – to help for activities for 250 young people who do not belong to organised groups or sports clubs Carolyn Skilling, Secretary, said: “The Quorn Community Interest Company exists to meet needs identified by the community. We plan a festival to mark the end of the Covid-19 pandemic; to raise spirits of all age groups. The event will assist voluntary groups to come together and enable everyone to celebrate at a traditional fair. The Co-op is at the centre of the village and served us well throughout a difficult year. The grant will make a difference by promoting the fair, encouraging participation and thanking our sponsors.” Live Cancer Free - £1,000 – to help for the creation of specialist food parcels for people undergoing treatment for cancer Chief Executive Dr Abeer Kholghi said: “The fund will be used to provide food parcels for cancer patients in Leicester and Leicestershire. It means a lot to us to receive the funding and to be able to support cancer patients during this tough time.” ADAPT Prembabies - £500 – to help supply items for special packs delivered to every new mum on Leicester’s Neonatal units Sue Williams said: “Like all small charities the last year has been a real struggle for us especially as we are completely self-funded and all our fundraising activities and events have had to be cancelled. The grant will go towards us being able to continue giving ADAPT Baby Packs to new mums on the Leicester neonatal units. Most of the mums on the units have had their babies early without any warning so these baby packs give them an emergency supply of nappies, cotton wool, water wipes and other essential items to help them over the first 48 hours of having a premature baby and saves them from having to rush out to the shops for supplies. We really are very grateful to Central England Co-operative’s Community Fund and thank everyone involved for their kindness and support.” Shepshed Toy Library - £100 – to help continue its vital community work Catherine Tideswell, toy library manager, said: “It costs at least £15,000 just to run our organisation alone each year. Most of our costs are primarily used for running costs. However, we will find the Co-op's donation useful to purchase household items such as hand sanitiser, stationery, snacks and drinks for when we open up the stay and play sessions.” Shepshed Volunteer Centre - £1,800 – to fix its roof so it’s ready post-lockdown to offer services to adults with additional needs Candi Barnes said: “This Central England Co-op funding will provide essential repairs to our activity shed in the Shepshed Well-Being Garden. This gives us back a Covid-19 secure space to provide much needed support and activities to individuals and groups in Shepshed.” Ashby CAP Debt Counselling - £1,000 – to pay for a new laptop, mobile phone and to support fund-raising Director Katie Johnson said: “This gift will allow us to buy essential office equipment; a new laptop, mobile phone, shredder and filing system for our brand new debt centre manager, plus provide the seed money for a fundraising dinner. With so many out of work and struggling to cope with the aftermath of increased bills as people had to stay home and work / educate their children, unmanageable debt has become more of an issue than ever before. Thank you so much.” Croft Good Neighbours - £1,000 – to continue work to support local families with food boxes Kath Muir, chair of Croft Good Neighbours, said: “Once again, the Central England Co-operative Community Dividend Fund has come to our rescue with funding for our food and essentials boxes. We are a small voluntary group and although our volunteers and our local community generously donate towards our boxes, we still need funding to keep this project going - as we have now been doing for almost a year. This generous allocation of vouchers, to spend in the local Co-op, will support our project, meaning we can continue to help families in our village.” Leicester Hospitals Charity - £2,370 – to fund iPads for young people to use while receiving treatment Louise Jones, Head of Philanthropy, Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: “We would like to thank the Central England Co-op Community Dividend Fund for this generous grant that will allow us to purchase five iPads for our young patients to use while they are in hospital. This grant will mean that children can connect with family and friends during their stay, but it will also allow children to access online therapy sessions to explain their condition and help to aid their recovery.” Leicester Community Sponsorship Group - £2,000 – funding to sponsor to help refugee families settle in Leicester Sarah Bradley said: “The Leicester Community Sponsorship Group are raising money to welcome and support a refugee family moving to Leicester. The generous grant from the Community Dividend Fund will be used to help settle the family in their first weeks and months in the UK, for example in providing food and clothing, and accessing interpreters if necessary.” St Matthews Big Local - £2,700 – to help renovate its well-used community hub Claybrooke Joint Burial Board - £850 – to build a bridge as part of a planned extension Evington Hilltop Allotments - £2,700 – to allow for the use of solar power to power on-site cabins Whetstone Co-operative Cinema - £1,070 – to invest in better quality to improve screenings for the local community Whetstone Junior Vixens Under 8 Girls - £750 – to pay for new kit and training equipment Think FC - £2,880 – to help fund an eight-week workshop to make business tools and skills more accessible to all Merrydale Infant School, Claydon Road, Leicester - £500 – food items to help teach youngsters about healthy eating Elohim Christian Church, Nuneaton - £500 – to help feed families who might otherwise might not have access to food Pastor Faye Clarke said: “We are overjoyed at receiving a grant from the Community Dividend Fund in order for us to provide food hampers for local families in need throughout the school holidays. To be able to partner with the Central England Co-op to help feed families is a real privilege; together we can make a difference.” Harborough Eco Village - £1,100 – to help fund a cooking project for local people The Bodie Hodges Foundation - £1,260 – to help pay for staff and materials to encourage memory making and helping to explore grief with bereaved young children Chroma Church, Leicester - £500 – to help pay for food and toiletries to create packages for people in the community Ruth Hollington said: “Chroma Church Food Bank are delighted to receive £500 from the Community Dividend Fund, this generous donation has enabled us to continue to offer food bank services and provide the essential food and hygiene products our clients require; we are so incredibly thankful for the assistance.” Cosby United Youth and Juniors Football Club - £750 – to help pay for a set of new team kits Richard Woolerton said: “The award will be used to buy some of our junior teams much needed new kit for the new season ahead. It will also mean there will be no burden on the parents to purchase the kit and they can hold on to their hard earned pennies. The players, managers, coaches and parents at Cosby United Youth and Juniors FC would like to say a massive thank you to Central England Co-op for the generosity they have shown in choosing us for some funding.” Fosse Mutual aid - £500 – to help pay for food and toiletries to create packages for people in the community Harborough Hygiene Bank - £450 – to help provide personal and household hygiene products for those losing in hygiene poverty Judy Rowley, co-ordinator from Harborough Hygiene Bank, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this grant, which is going to have a huge impact in supporting local people. We will purchase some weighing scales for our storage facility and will use the remainder to purchase household cleaning products - these are items we don’t tend to receive much of through donations and they are needed now more than ever so this is going to make a big difference! Our work relies purely on donations, without them we literally couldn’t do the work we do so this means a lot to us. Thank you from all of us at The Hygiene Bank for your support and recognising the work we do.”

A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a woman’s body in a property in Lincoln Street, Leicester. Officers were called to the scene at 5.59pm on Saturday (11 September) by East Midlands Ambulance Service and, sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is still in its very early stages. At this time, there have been no arrests in connection with the incident. Detective Inspector Steve Shaw from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) said: “I understand that there will be some concern in the community about the two incidents just a few days apart. “There is nothing to suggest that the two incidents are connected. “I want to reassure you that there will be a team of officers working through the night on this investigation.”

The Home Office-backed scheme 'Ask for ANI' is now operating in over half of all UK pharmacies including independents and chains such as Boots and Superdrug. On the first anniversary of its launch, the Home Secretary Priti Patel today hails the success of the innovative scheme which enables those at risk or suffering from domestic abuse to discreetly signal their need for help from the safety of their local pharmacy. In its first year, the scheme has provided emergency support to at least 100 victims across all four corners of the UK, with the figure expected to be higher due to voluntary reporting. The innovative scheme is just one of a number of measures the government has taken to improve support for victims of domestic abuse over the last year, including giving more than £28 million to domestic abuse organisations and the introduction of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner. The government also introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Act which will help millions of people by establishing a statutory definition of domestic abuse, supporting victims of all genders and giving police extra powers. At the height of the pandemic, the Home Office launched the #YouAreNotAlone communications campaign signposting support to those at risk of domestic abuse. The #YouAreNotAlone campaign has reached millions of people through digital advertising, celebrity and influencer support and specialist community engagement activity with campaign materials translated into 16 languages. As essential retailers with specifically trained staff on high streets across the country, pharmacies can provide a safe space for victims to sound an alarm if they are isolated at home with their abuser and unable to get help in another way. ANI is a codeword for Action Needed Immediately. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as national or local domestic abuse helplines. The anniversary of the Ask for ANI scheme comes as Parliament considers the final stages of the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will put further safeguards in law to support victims of domestic abuse, including giving victims longer to report offences to the police, so that abusers do not evade justice. In another move, the Domestic Abuse Strategy will be published later this year and will seek to transform the whole of society’s response to domestic abuse in order to prevent offending, support victims and pursue perpetrators, as well as strengthen the systems in place to deliver these objectives. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: Any form of domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime and this government is both increasing support for victims and ensuring that perpetrators feel the full force of the law. The Ask for ANI scheme has had a successful first year and is a great example of government, businesses and charities working together to provide vital support to victims. I urge all pharmacies to get on board with the scheme as we look to expand it and explore other spaces that could be used for the same purpose. As Home Secretary, tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for me and I am taking on board victims’ concerns and giving the police the powers they need to bring those responsible to justice. Suzanne Jacob OBE, Chief Executive of SafeLives said: The Ask for ANI codeword scheme provides a vital lifeline for domestic abuse victims trapped by their perpetrators. Survivors of domestic abuse are experts by their experience, and it was survivors who first asked for this codeword scheme early in the pandemic. A trip to a pharmacy might be a critical opportunity for someone to get the help they desperately need. A year on, we are very pleased to see this scheme going from strength to strength and hope that more retailers participate so that all victims across the country have this route to safety. Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive at the National Pharmacy Association said: Many independent pharmacies have joined this important Home Office scheme, because they recognise the clear and urgent need to support victims of domestic abuse in their local communities. Many survivors have benefited from the Ask for ANI scheme, but the tragedy is that there are many more at risk. By taking part, community pharmacies have shown once again that they are so much more than just a place to pick up pills – they are a community asset and a local lifeline. Marc Donovan, Boots Chief Pharmacist said: Boots pharmacies have long been a place where people can turn to for help and advice on their local high street. The Ask for ANI scheme offers a real lifeline to people who feel in danger at home and has enabled our pharmacy teams to provide discreet support to them. We are very proud to work with the Home Office on this important initiative. Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive of Hestia said: We know from our work supporting victims of domestic that during the pandemic, home has not been a safe place for them, with abuse escalating and support networks cut off. It is vital that victims of domestic abuse know that they are not alone. With Safe Spaces and ANI now running in over half of all UK pharmacies, anyone enduring domestic abuse can access specialist support discretely on their local high streets. The success of these initiatives has shown the critical role that businesses and communities can play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse. As restrictions ease, we hope to continue building partnerships to ensure every victim can get the support they need. The Home Office New Release