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Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted break-in at a shop in Glenfield. Officers were called at around 1.15am today (Wednesday 24 April) by a member of the public reporting seeing a silver 4x4 being driven into the front of the premises in Tournament Road. A dark coloured Mercedes saloon was also reported as being at the scene and it is believed a number of suspects wearing dark clothing were involved. Although significant damage was made to the brickwork and a roller shutter, it is not believed that access was gained to the shop. Both vehicles were seen to leave the area shortly afterwards heading in the direction of Tatlow Road. PC Beth Warner, the investigating officer, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and saw either of the two vehicles or the incident itself. “If anyone was driving nearby and has a dash cam in their vehicle that captured events, we’d like to hear from you. “Any information you have could help us with our enquiries.” Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 19*206450. #LeicesterPolice #ShopRaid

Front bedroom of a house in Barwell was totally destroyed in a fire this afternoon. Leicestershire Fire Service was called to reports of a house fire on Moore Road Barwell At around 3pm today. Call received to a fire in an upstairs bedroom at 14:54 on arrival the front bedroom on the first floor was well alight. All persons accounted for, no injuries reported. Two fire appliances attended from Western and Hinckley, along with the police to assist road closures. We spoken to a young man who said he lives in the house, he said “I was returning from the shop and notice my house was on fire, I started to panic and then I notice my grandmother outside on the street, she was in the house at the time of the fire, the house is gutted but we are all safe. All my personal belongings are on the street, not sure what I’m going to do now“ Fire service said it could have been a lot worse if the bedroom door had been open. A Fire person said the Occupants had the bedroom door closed at the time of the fire, and by closing your internal doors this creates a firebreak and stops fires spreading throughout the property. Updated News 23/04/2019 Police have arrested a teenager after a fire gutted the top floor of a house in Barwell. The 18-year-old man was detained after the blaze at the home in Moore Road on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters and police are investigating the cause of the blaze which is believed to have started in a first-floor bedroom and gutted the upstairs of a house. Read more on Leicester mercury http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/teenager-arrested-suspicion-arson-after-2787395#ICID=ios_leicestermercury_ios_AppShare_Click_Other Pictures by Leicester Media © 2019 For free safety advice for your home visit the Leicestershire Fire service web site https://leics-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home/ Date of News Report 21/04/19 17:30 #LFRS #LeicestershireFireService #MooreroadFire #BarwellFire

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service welcomes local Deaf communities to a station open day next month. Each year the Service holds station open days, opening their doors to everyone in their local communities. This year, the Service are making sure they are inclusive of all community members by making an open day accessible to its Deaf community members. The open day will take place at Birstall Fire and Rescue Station, Geoff Monk Way, Leicester, on Saturday 11 May, between 10:00hrs and 14:00hrs– BSL Interpreter available. These hugely popular days feature a wide variety of events and activities to give communities an opportunity to meet firefighters and to see a working fire and rescue station. Their overall aim is to promote fire safety messages in an engaging way, by incorporating lots of fun activities for children and adults. Sophie Smith, Community Educator at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The purpose of the event is to bring the Deaf community together and provide access to the services we offer. On the day we will have the police, Red Cross, and Dexter the Fire Investigation Dog in attendance, and we will be offering biker advice, road safety advice and so much more. “Growing up in a Deaf community, I understand the barriers that this community face when it comes to accessing information. There will be a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter at our event, as well as two members of staff who have BSL skills. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing adults and children and their families to our fun-filled open day.” The event, which is supporting British Sign Language and The Firefighters Charity, will include demonstrations from firefighters, a smokehouse experience, and give visitors a chance to look round fire engines and a Red Cross vehicle, as well as meeting Dexter the Fire Dog. There will be plenty of free fun for all the family, including refreshments, stalls, games and more! In September 2018, the Service joined neighbouring fire and rescue services, Nottingham and Derbyshire, to sign the British Sign Language (BSL) Charter. Signing the Charter shows the commitment by the Service to promote better access to public services for members of the Deaf community. The Community Safety team has received Deaf awareness training and one member of the team has BSL NVQ Level 6 British Sign Language, so the Service can provide home safety checks to profoundly Deaf people. During the open day, the Community Safety team will be available, so you can find out more about the services Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service offer, including Home Safety Checks, deaf smoke alarms, and the non-emergency and emergency contact numbers for people who are unable to make a phone call. For more advice for people with hearing difficulties, and to book a Home Safety Check, visit leics-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home/advice-for-people-with-disabilities/hearing/ #LFRS #LeicestershireFireServic

Police have this evening (Monday 22 April) arrested a Leicestershire man in connection with the death of Leah Fray. The man, who is 56, was arrested at an address in Barwell. He remains in custody and enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Leah’s death are ongoing. Her body was found when police were called to a report of a fire at a flat in Mere Road – at the junction with Diseworth Street - in the Highfields area of Leicester shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday). Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team is leading the investigation. She said: “While we have arrested a man in connection with Leah’s death, we would still like to speak to anyone who knew Leah or recognises her from the image we have issued. “I would also like to speak to anyone who visited the block of flats in which Leah lived or has knowledge of people visiting those properties. “If you were driving through the area yesterday morning and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle, or you live nearby and have a CCTV camera at your address, please let us know. Any information you have about Leah could be of great help to my investigation.” Call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April. #MereRoadLeicester #LeicesterPolice

Police have launched a murder investigation following a fire at a flat at the junction of Mere Road and Diseworth Street in Leicester. Officers were called to the property, in the Highfields area of the city, by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday 21 April). The fire was extinguished and the body of a 27-year-old woman was found inside the flat. A cordon remains in place at the property. No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident. Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team, said: “From enquiries carried out so far, we believe that the fire may have been started deliberately. “We are, therefore, treating this as a murder investigation and a cordon remains in place at the property in Mere Road. “I would ask anyone who saw or heard anything untoward at this location between 1pm on Saturday and 7.30am yesterday – and who has not yet spoken to police – to come forward with any information that you have. “Were you driving through the area or visiting the location yesterday morning? Maybe you were going to worship nearby? You may have information that could greatly assist my investigation and police would like to speak to you. “If you were driving through the area and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle or have CCTV installed at your property, please also make contact.” Anyone who was in the area of Mere Road yesterday morning and has information relating to this incident is asked to call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April. #LeicesterPolice #MereRoadLeicester

Police have named a woman who died in a flat in Mere Road, Leicester – and are appealing for anyone who knew her to come forward. Officers were called to the property by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday 21 April). The body of 27-year-old Leah Fray was found inside. Her death is being treated as murder. Detectives investigating the incident have today launched an urgent appeal for anyone who knew Leah to come forward and a photo of her has also been released to the public. Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team is leading the investigation. She said: “From our initial inquiries, we know that Leah associated with a lot of different people across Leicester. “Today, I am calling on anyone who knew her, recently saw or had contact with her to speak to police.” “We owe it to this young woman and her family to find out who is responsible for her death. Did you see anyone coming and going from her flat in Mere Road at any time between Saturday afternoon and early yesterday morning?" Call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April. Source : Leicestershire Police #LeicesterPolice #MereRoadLeicester

Saturday 20th April this was a free event, with the costumes made for the children and everyone celebrating Saint George, and there was even appearance of a dinosaur or two. Wow what a fantastic event, even the Sun was shining down on Orton Square today. Check out our event video and picture. 2019 Event Video by Leicester Media Events got away on Orton Square at 12noon, with dancing from the Leicester Morris Men and a welcome from the Lord Mayor. 2019 Pictures more on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/leicestermediaonline Visitors will be able to have a go at maypole dancing, enjoy songs and storytelling inspired by St George and the Dragon, and take part in a range of arts and crafts activities. As well as music and mirth, visitors can also look forward to a walkabout by an enormous T.rex – Leicester’s very own friendly dragon. The giant ‘Dinosaurus’ will be in Orton Square at 1pm and 3pm. Young children will be able to dress up as knights or princesses and join in the costume parade at 2.15pm, while everyone is welcome to join the festival’s rousing finale – with live music and a mass folk dance – at 4pm. Last years event video by Leicester Media Elsewhere in the Cultural Quarter, the LCB Depot on Rutland Street will host family activities, live music and entertainment from 11am, with freshly-prepared food and drink available from its coffee shop until 4pm. Leicester Print Workshop will offer lots of creative hands-on activities from 11am until 2pm, while the Two Queens Gallery will invite visitors behind the scenes from 12 noon until 6pm. As part of the festivities, a traditional English pub – The Ale Wagon – will offer real ale and a live folk session from 5.30pm, while The Exchange will host its annual beer festival from 12 noon. Away from the Cultural Quarter, New Walk Museum is joining in the St George’s day fun too. From 11am until 4pm on Saturday (20 April), youngsters can take part in ‘Colour Me Roarsome!’ – a free activity to brighten up a rather pale dragon that’s appeared in the museum’s Victorian art gallery. Children are invited to pop in and create some colourful scales for the dragon, which they can then add to the giant collage. City council festivals and events manager Maggie Shutt said: “Our St George’s Festival is always a great day out for the whole family. “There will be songs, stories and dressing-up for very young children to enjoy, older children will enjoy creating dragons and other mythical beasts on the printing press at the Leicester Print Workshop, while everyone can have a go at maypole dancing or have a selfie with our Dinosaurus! “We look forward to welcoming everyone to Orton Square on Saturday 20 April to celebrate the festival of St George with some free family fun.” On St George’s Day itself (Tuesday 23 April), Leicester Market will join in the fun with a free storytelling event in Corn Exchange square. From 11am until 3pm, there will be plenty of tales about brave knights and fierce dragons – as well as a special appearance by a very friendly dragon. If it’s raining, the storytelling will take place in the Leicester Libraries’ Book-bus. And at Abbey Pumping Station, there’s a special St George’s Day Railway Day. From 11am until 4pm, children will be able to enjoy a ride on the narrow gauge railway (50p) or have fun with the Dragon Hunt Trail. Admission to the museum is free of charge – and families are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it in the museum’s gardens. Pictures by Leicester Media 2018 Event A free programme for the St George’s Festival can be picked up from Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate or can be downloaded at visitleicester.info

You have probably seen or heard of lots of Police raids over the past 2 weeks, in and around Leicester. Police have been on a Operation called Lionheart. Following two weeks of activity, the force has been to 90 addresses to enforce warrants, arrested 55 people and secured charges against 41 of them. Police officers have been working around the clock to carry out the enforcement activity across locations in the city and counties, tackling County Lines activity and associated wider criminality. This targeted action follows a significant investment of time gathering information and evidence on people suspected of being involved and identifying those vulnerable people affected. Gangs and organised crime groups involved in County Lines activity exploit vulnerable people to carry out illegal activities across our county and beyond. They usually exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money and will use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and encourage the carriage and use of weapons. Chief Superintendent Adam Streets, head of local policing, said: “This has been a targeted operation with a large number of policing resources involved, all working very long hours to make sure those suspected of being involved in this type of criminality are taken off the streets. “We have been working very closely with our partners to make sure that we disrupt them using all available opportunities and safeguard those at risk. This type of criminality will be rooted out and this coupled with future activity is ultimately making the streets of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer.” Operation Lionheart results Total warrants = 90 Total arrests = 55 Total people charged = 41 For more information on County Lines, and how to spot the signs of it happening in your area, visit www.leics.police.uk/countylines Source : Leicestershire Police #CountyLines #LeicesterPolice #KnowTheSigns

School makes direct Appeal to the New Parks community to help in the Recovery of 25 plus stolen racing bikes, which was taken last week from New college. The college posted the following on Facebook on Thursday 11th April. Dear all of New Parks Community we need your help. We have had 25 plus bikes stolen last night from the school site. These bikes benefited many young people across the city and today we have had to cancel Primary School events. The bikes are quite unique, they are white with the words HOY down the frame. Police have released the following statement. Incident number: 19*183660 Detectives investigating the theft of bicycles are urging anyone who has seen or been offered one for sale to come forward. The bikes, which belong to British Cycling, were stolen from an outbuilding at New College in Glenfield Road, Leicester overnight between 10 and 11 April 2019. Seven bikes were discarded nearby. It is believed the incident happened between 6pm and 8am. The bikes were due to be used by students and four classes had to be cancelled as a result of them being stolen. They are: Six Hoy disc brake bikes Six Pinnacle MTB small bikes Three Pinnacle MTB medium bikes – and one of which was still boxed Two Hoy 24-inch V-brake bikes Two Hoy Meadow Hills CX 24-inch bikes Two Pinnacle CX bikes One Pinnacle CX women’s bike One Mini Rocker BMX One Voodoo BMX Four Hoy 24-inch V-brake bikes and one Pinnacle CX bike were recovered nearby. Detective Constable Gina Baxter, the investigating officer, said: “If you recognise any of the bikes pictured, have seen or been offered them for sale or have seen one being used, then please get in touch. Many of the bikes are quite distinctive in their appearance. “The fact they have been taken has had a significant impact on the college, who have had to cancel classes as a result. “If you have any information that could help my investigation, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, then please contact me.” Call 101, quoting crime number 19*183660. If anyone has any information please call 0116 2318517 or call 101 #NewCollege #NewParks

Leicestershire Police has been granted an extra £1million to tackle serious violence and the country’s spiralling knife crime epidemic, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner revealed today. Lord Willy Bach said the force was one of 18 across the country to be granted the Home Office funding boost, which will be immediately invested into “a surge of operational activity” beginning this Easter weekend. Reacting to the news, Willy Bach said: “I’m relieved that our urgent calls for additional funding have been heard. This money is desperately needed and will increase our capacity to tackle knife crime and violence as early as this Easter weekend. “The violence on our streets must end which is why I know that the Chief Constable will be taking a hard-line operational approach over the coming weeks and months maximising the use of all available resources. But alongside enforcement, we will be ensuring our young people continue to be supported to make better lifestyle choices and fully understand the consequences of carrying knives. “I’ve already announced £100,000 this year into projects tackling knife crime on top of over £300,000 for community-based crime prevention. This £1million boost will certainly make a difference to that work but there is always more to be done. When it comes to knife crime, everything counts. This is just the beginning.” Chief Constable Simon Cole welcomed the injection of funding. He said: “The extra money will allow additional operational activity on the streets across the city and counties, tackling the serious crime happening on our streets. “We will be looking at what resources are available for over the coming weekend quick time, while also planning for the weeks and months ahead to make sure we are utilising this money in the most effective way. “Tackling knife crime, and educating young people about the dangers of carrying a knife is something we are dedicated to, with our #LivesnotKnives campaign delivering workshops to young people about what consequences there may be if they were to be found with, or use, a knife.” Home Secretary Sajid Javid has secured £100m to tackle serious violence and knife crime, including £80m of new funding from the Treasury this financial year. A total of 18 forces are immediately benefitting from a share of £51m to tackle the recent surge in violence on Britain’s streets. The allocation reflects levels of serious violence in each force area using hospital admissions for sharp object assault data. The announcement comes after senior police officers made representations to the Home Secretary’s roundtable meeting on March 6 highlighting the costs required to confront the rising demands of violence. Last month Willy Bach, who has pledged to get to the core of the knife crime epidemic sweeping Britain’s streets, announced a series of funding grants for projects which work directly with young people with the aim of turning them away from violence and gang life. Source : Leicestershire Police #LivesNotKnives

Leicesters annual wildlife survey returns for its tenth year this month, and it’s set to be bigger than ever. This year, the city’s annual Bioblitz event will be part of the global City Nature Challenge. This four-day event will see over 150 cities across the world competing to see which one can record the most urban wildlife. The event takes place from Friday 26 to Monday 29 April and wildlife lovers and budding nature detectives can join a range of activities taking place across Leicester. People can drop into the nature challenge base camps which will be on a different park for each of the four days of the event. There will be a chance to meet wildlife experts, borrow nets and other equipment to help on your nature hunt and find out how to use the NatureSpot website and the iNaturalist app to record and share their wildlife sightings. Base camps and other organised activities will be taking place as follows: Friday (26 Apr) Base camp at Abbey Park Education Centre from 10am until 1pm with regular bug hunts taking place in the gardens of the parkBioBlitz walk on Aylestone Meadows from 10am until 1pmMini BioBlitz and expert-guided bat, moth and amphibian hunts at Evington Park from 7.45pm to 11.30pm Saturday (27 Apr) Base camp at Spinney Hill Park from 10am until 4pm, including bug hunt safari from 10.30am, Moth-fest from 11am and wildlife hunt along the brook from 1pm Sunday (28 Apr) Base camp at Watermead Country Park from 11am until 4pmBase camp at Knighton Park from 2pm until 4pm Monday (29 Apr) Base camp at Welford Road Cemetery from 11.30am until 2pmBioBlitz walks at The Orchards nature reserve, Groby Road from 10amCity Nature Challenge walks at Castle Hill Country Park from 1pm All events are free of charge, but places for the Evington Park mini-BioBlitz should be pre-booked online at bit.ly/2V0yUx9 Alongside the organised events, people are invited to join in the City Nature Challenge by photographing, recording and identifying wildlife they spot anywhere in the city using the NatureSpot website or the iNaturalist app. More information can be found at www.naturespot.org.uk/citynaturechallengeand The app can be downloaded from www.inaturalist.org Leicester’s City Nature Challenge has been organised by the city council, Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, The University of Leicester, The Conservation Volunteers and NatureSpot, the wildlife recording site for Leicestershire and Rutland. Dr Helen O’Brien, senior nature conservation officer at Leicester City Council, said: “Leicester has hosted a BioBlitz event every year since 2010. Over 1,500 people have taken part and that has resulted in an impressive 8,000 species being recorded over the years. “This data plays an important role in the planning for wildlife and management of the city’s biodiversity. “This year will be the first time that our annual wildlife count has gone citywide and we are looking for our volunteer nature detectives to help us record as many species in as many places as possible. We’re very excited and can’t wait for the challenge to begin.” Simon Bentley, director of Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, said: “Leicester is home to a wide range of wonderful wildlife which can be discovered across its varied network of parks, gardens and watercourses. “The City Nature Challenge is the perfect way to get out there and enjoy the wildlife that inhabits the city and help us to better understand the range of species that are now calling Leicester home.” David Nicholls, director of NatureSpot, added: “Leicester has long been a pioneer and leader of urban wildlife conservation, so it is great to be part of this global initiative to involve local people in observing and appreciating the amazing wildlife living around us in the city. “NatureSpot is delighted to be involved in supporting our City Nature Challenge.” Leicester is one of seven UK cities taking part and will be competing with rivals Bristol & Bath, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle to see which can record the most urban wildlife over the four-days of the challenge. The findings of the seven cities will then join forces to compete on a global scale with over 150 other participating cities from countries including America, Brazil, Germany, South African New Zealand. To find out more www.naturespot.org.uk/citynaturechallengeand Source : Leicester City Council #leicestercitycouncil

Leicester Market is holding Little Artisan Market for this Easter coming Saturday so come and get something different for your Easter table to share and enjoy with your Family. Four specialist food stalls will be trading outside Leicester’s Corn Exchange on Saturday (20 April), giving shoppers some fresh ideas for their weekend dining. Leicestershire-based Sourdoughome will be offering a tasty selection of its organic sourdough loaves, while https://www.springfieldkitchen.co.uk/be introducing shoppers to its range of chutneys, jams, marmalades and mustards. At Nini’s Delicious stall, shoppers will be able to choose from a selection of Indian dishes, with meat, fish and vegetarian options on offer. And there will also be a wide selection of vegan Indian savouries - all made to traditional family recipes - at the Tasty Bites stall. Vegetable samosas and dhebras – a fried savoury bread – will be on sale, as well as homemade Bombay Mix and a special, milder ‘Leicester Mix’ that features puffed rice, yellow lentils, potato sticks, nuts and sultanas. All four stalls will be trading from 10am until 3pm on Saturday on Corn Exchange square, in front of the pub Markets development officer Adam Piotrowski said: “These specialist traders will complement the fresh food offer at Leicester Market, giving shoppers new ideas and even more choice. “Every Saturday, we’ll be inviting local artisan businesses to take a stall in front of the Corn Exchange to create a mini speciality food market. “We hope that our customers – both old and new – will enjoy the extra choice they’ll find at our little artisan market on Saturdays from now on.” Join The Leicester Market event https://www.facebook.com/events/421655415317393/?ti=icl #LeicesterMarket