Police are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was seriously injured on London Road yesterday. A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a collision with a lorry in London Road, Leicester, yesterday (Saturday 10 October). Police were called to the incident, near the junction with Knighton Road and Stoughton Road, at 12.42pm. East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended. The motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries. He remains in hospital were his condition is described as critical. No other injuries have been reported. Road closures were in place in the area while emergency services were at the scene. Detective Constable John Borlase, said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area and who witnessed the incident or who saw either of the vehicles beforehand to make contact with us. “Anyone who has any dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident should also check this and make contact with us if you have not already done so.” Anyone with any information should contact 101 quoting incident 257 of 10 October. #LeicsPolice #londonroad

Have you experienced problems with the Leicester City Council Web Site with bookings for services not ‘going through’? A recent on-line booking was made for bulk waste collection. This was done on the Councils online service. The system generated a date and a BC reference. But the date came and no collection was made. Complaining to the Council, their response was did you get our email confirming the collection?. Although the system accepted the booking, confirmed the date, the system did not generate a email. This is a tell tail sign that the system is not working. To find out more about the Leicester City Council Bulk waste collections https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-environment/recycling-and-waste/bulky-item-collections/ #LeicesterCityCouncil

Trading standards officers in Leicester are warning residents to stay alert following reports or two types of cold callers offering bogus or substandard services to householders. Officers have received complaints about cold callers, who falsely claim to be from the city council, offering people grants for free or subsidised boiler supplies. Often the fraudsters are carrying no identification, paperwork or contact details, and are not taking any COVID-19 safety measures, such as wearing a face covering, to protect householders. One resident paid a £400 deposit for a free boiler, but the trader gave a false address and website, leaving the customer unable to get a refund. In addition, a number of people in the Beaumont Leys and Anstey Heights areas have complained about cold callers offering roofing services door to door. In cases where work has been carried out, it has been to a poor standard and described as dangerous by subsequent workers who carried out work to put it right. Paperwork does not comply with the law and no address of the trader has been provided. Leicester City Council’s trading standards service manager, Ron Ruddock, said: “Many of the complaints we receive concern home improvement work, which is often expensive and carried out to the most valuable asset that people will own. “It is therefore important to choose wisely and not be talked into work that may not be necessary, may be poor quality or even dangerous. “Cold calling isn’t illegal, but frequently cold callers leave false names and addresses and do not complete work or return to remedy faulty work. “We would urge people not to do business with anyone who approaches you at the door or in the street. Always get quotes and recommendation and make checks on the trader yourself. “Never pay large amounts of money up front and make sure you have a written contract and the full name and address of the trader you are dealing with. Customers are also entitled to receive a written contract and details of their right to change their mind and cancel the contract.“ Some grants for home improvements and heating are available, and details are available from the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234, or by calling your energy supplier. Further information is also available on city council’s website, here Mr Ruddock added: “In order to avoid falling prey to scams and rogue traders we’d advise residents not to do any business at the doorstep, and report unwanted callers to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.” Advice on how to find an approved workman or woman is also available from Citizens Advice here or by ringing 0808 223 1133. Leicester City Council Press release dated 15th September 2020.

Two of the biggest events in Leicester’s festival calendar will not take place this year, as coronavirus restrictions continue to prevent people from gathering in large groups. The major events to switch on the city’s Diwali lights – normally held in October – and the switch-on of the Christmas lights in November would usually attract tens of thousands of people. But although both events have had to be cancelled, the city’s traditional Diwali and Christmas decorations will still light up Leicester this year. The city council’s lighting team will start putting up the lights as normal early next month, but they will be switched on – without fanfare – by a timer. Staff in the council’s festivals and events team are now working up ideas for alternative ways for people to mark the occasions – but what’s already clear is that the ice rink in Jubilee Square won’t be part of the plans this year. Director of tourism, culture and inward investment Mike Dalzell said: “Social distancing requirements, and restrictions on the number of people who would be allowed on the ice at any one time, mean that bringing the ice rink to Leicester is sadly neither manageable nor affordable this year. “But the good news is that, all being well, the ice rink will be back in Leicester in 2021. “Christmas will be different for everyone this year, but we’re determined to make the city look more festive than ever, and we’ve already ordered a giant Christmas tree for the Clock Tower and some brand new decorations for Horsefair Street and Humberstone Gate. “Diwali will obviously be different too, but we’re looking at a number of ideas that will allow people to mark the occasion in alternative ways. “It’s obviously hugely disappointing that these popular events won’t be taking place this year, but with so much uncertainty around the coronavirus situation, the most important thing is that we keep people safe.” Leicester’s traditional Bonfire Event in Abbey Park has also been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, while other popular events – such as the Cosmopolitan Arts Festival & the Leicester International Music Festival – will take place online this year. Details of Leicester’s alternative plans for Diwali and Christmas, and information about new festive attractions for 2020, will be released in the coming weeks.

7 September 2020: BBC Two has commissioned Saved and Remade from Red Sky Productions, presented by Sabrina Grant. Saved and Remade (w/t) brings together the multiple skills of a team of expert craftspeople to help solve viewers’conundrums of what to do with treasured but purposeless items. Host Sabrina Grant, herself no slouch in the upcycling department, will be helping contributors choose which of the experts has the vision and ability to convert objects that have meaning but are gathering dust, into items can take pride of place in their lives. The transformation from precious but purposeless will grant these pieces a new lease of life. The experts will respect the sentimental significance of each of the items brought in but will bring about incredible transformations that will be a fitting match for their owners. Sabrina Grant says, “I’m super excited to front this brand new BBC Two series that creatively re-purposes and brings a new lease of life to our guests’ treasures. I can’t wait to share the magic of our transformations with you.” Executive Producer Jane Rogerson adds: “We’re thrilled to be working with Sabrina, and indeed all of our crafts people on this exciting new format for BBC Two. We cannot wait for everyone to see what the unused but much-loved pianos, cars, books and many other items that we all have in lofts and cupboard will become with the skills and imagination of our team of craftspeople. Prepare to be surprised and delighted!” The Executive Producer for Red Sky Productions is Jane Rogerson, with Kim Rossiter as Series Producer. The series was commissioned by Helen Munson for the BBC. The greenlight for Saved and Remade follows other recent commissions including Autumn at Jimmy’s Farm (Channel 4),Socially Distant with Susan Calman (BBC Scotland) and Jimmy’s Big Bee Rescue (Channel 4) To apply to take part ​ Get in touch telling us: - Your name, age, location and contact number - Some info about your item; what it is, why it's important to you and why you want to transform it - Please also send photos of your item transform@redskyproductions.co.uk Phone: 0141 343 7782 Applicants must be aged 18 or over and be a UK resident.

Prominent figures from across the city are coming together to stand up against knife crime and to promote ambition. Leicester has the 5th highest knife crime statistics in the country, the City has been failed as no local interventions have taken place and young lives keep being lost. Leicester music sensation Mark Morrison has teamed up with leading peer, Baroness Verma, Amy Morgan whose son was tragically killed after being stabbed, Desmond Belle of Leicester Community Radio and a host of others. The group will gather support for a creative hub alongside a Community Enterprise Hub that will enable young people to access equipment and support within the different industry-related sectors. This will give tomorrow’s future opportunities that they currently do not have. Mark said “I aspire to give young people hope and raise their ambitions at MackLife Studios, the creative Hub that will allow talent to flourish in a safe environment. We will all work with the different stakeholders that have already started to pledge their support. I am excited to be able to do something positive in my home City and look forward to helping drive down the plague of crime by replacing it with talented ambitious young people” The proposals drawn up by Mark himself are supported by young people throughout Leicester. Baroness Verma believes that these proposals will benefit everybody, she said “the Macklife Studios will be a real catalyst in eliminating what holds young people back. Having a well-known figure like Mark Morrison wishing to put his time and energy into the City is fantastic and with the goodwill of all the necessary stakeholders, it will undoubtedly be a game-changer for aspiring young people. After spending time with Amy Morgan, the obvious outcome is to try and stop as many families as possible from having to go through the heartbreak and pain of losing a child, a young family member” The hub will also house the Tyler Thompson Foundation (which will support the families that have suffered the despair that knife crime brings) and Leicester Community Radio Station.

Hairdessers, cinemas, places of worship, cafés, bars and restaurants will be able to open in Leicester from Monday (3 August) as infection rates in the city continue to decline. The Government's review of Leicester’s lockdown has led to the following changes to restrictions in the city: You can meet up to six people from outside your household in parks and open spaces, keeping 2m apart You can go on day trips and make non-essential journeys from today (Friday) You can go on holiday with people you live with from Monday (3 August) You can visit a hairdresser, café, bar, cinema or restaurant from Monday (3 August) You can go to a place of worship for collective worship from Monday (3 August) You cannot visit family or friends inside their homes or in their gardens You cannot stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them You cannot meet up with anyone from outside your household in a café, bar or restaurant The Government announced late last night (Thursday) that the city’s progress in tackling a spike in coronavirus cases justified a gradual easing of restrictions, with the local infection rate now less than half what it was in late June. But with the number of positive results in Leicester still high, with 59 per 100,000 in the seven days to 25 July, some measures must stay in place to prevent the disease from spreading – and to ensure that the infection rate continues to come down. Director of public health Ivan Browne said: “What we’re seeing in Leicester is the transmission of the virus between households. “In some cases, this is because individuals are showing no symptoms of the disease and therefore aren’t aware of the risk they pose. “That’s why restrictions on meeting up with other households indoors, and visiting friends and families in their homes, will have to remain in place for a while longer in Leicester. “I appreciate this is hard to do, and I want to thank everyone who’s followed the guidance and stayed away from their friends and family’s homes for all these months, but we need to keep doing what we’re doing to stop this virus from being passed on. “The good news is that the sacrifices we’re all making are paying off, as infection rates are continuing to fall. “My message remains the same: please don’t visit other people’s homes; work from home if you can; keep social distancing; keep practising good hand hygiene; get a test at the first sign of coronavirus symptoms and, most importantly, please stay at home and self-isolate for at least 10 days if you test positive for coronavirus – and make sure others in your household quarantine for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. “If we can do this, and bring the infection rate right down, we will be in a much better position as we head towards winter.” With the festivals of Eid-Al-Adha taking place today (Friday 31 July) and Raksha Bandhan on Monday (3 August), families in Leicester are being urged to celebrate safely at home, and not to meet up with family and friends. The Government has said that households in Leicester and some other parts of the country should not meet up, even in gardens. Assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods Cllr Kirk Master said: “As a Muslim myself, I know that we’d normally share these special occasions with our extended families and our closest friends. But this year, it’s just not possible to do that in person. “Join your family via a video call, or speak to them on the phone, and please follow the guidelines. The best way to show how much we care for our families, our friends and our community is to celebrate safely at home.” Assistant city mayor for equalities Cllr Rita Patel said: “Families across the city will be marking the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Monday. This is a time to celebrate the relationship between brothers and sisters and families. “Unfortunately it will not be possible for people to visit each other’s houses to tie Rakhis this year in the same way they usually would, so I would urge everyone to show their love for their family by celebrating in their own home, and only with those they live with.” Places of worship in the city will continue to be open for private prayer only, until the restrictions are lifted on Monday (3 August). Also on Monday (3 August), restrictions on overnight stays away from home will be lifted, which means that people will be able to go away on holiday. However, people will not be able to stay with another household where they do travel – unless they've already formed a bubble with them. Gyms, swimming pools, museums, libraries and leisure centres will remain closed in Leicester for the time being. Restrictions on travel in and out of the city, however, have now been lifted so people can make day trips and any non-essential journeys. Visiting other people’s homes, and overnight stays with other households, however, is not permitted. The Government has said it will review the situation in Leicester by Thursday 13 August. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “What is now planned for Leicester is the approach we should have adopted four weeks ago. “We needed the data – which we are at least beginning to get – to identify where the infection rates are high in the city. “We are now able to use a targeted approach to help those households and neighbourhoods affected to contain the virus. This is so much better than a clumsy, city-wide lockdown.” In the seven days to 24 July, there were 228 cases in Leicester. Last month, in the seven days to 24 June, there were 556 cases. Continuing restrictions and changes to restrictions confirmed today (Friday) are summarised below: YOU CAN: Meet up to six people from outside your household outdoors (not in private gardens), keeping 2m apart From now: go on day trips and make non-essential journeys From Monday (3 August): go on holiday with people you live with From Monday (3 August): visit a hairdresser, café, bar or restaurant. Cinemas are also able to reopen. Remember to wear a mask and to respect social distancing rules. From Monday (3 August): go to a place of worship for collective worship YOU CANNOT: visit family or friends inside their homes or in their gardens stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them meet up with anyone from outside your household in a café, bar or restaurant use a gym, a swimming pool or a play area. These remain closed for the time being The Government’s guide to what you can and cannot do in Leicester is available here Answers to some frequently asked questions are available on the city council’s website Anyone noticing the first signs of coronavirus – which could include a high temperature, a continuous cough or changes to their sense of taste or smell – must stay at home and arrange a test immediately. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with symptoms should get themselves tested urgently too. To book a test at a testing centre in Leicester, go to www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119. Following new guidance from the Chief Medical Officer, anyone testing positive for Covid-19 must now self-isolate at home for at least 10 days, or until their symptoms have gone. Anyone living in the same household as someone who tests positive must stay at home for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. Advice for everyone in Leicester remains as follows: Stay 2m apart from anyone outside of your household Wash your hands regularly Limit your contact with other people Wear a face covering on buses, in shops, in hospitals and in any confined space Don’t meet up with other people in their homes or gardens Book a test as soon as symptoms appear at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test No internet access? Call 119 to book your test If you test positive, stay at home for at least 10 days and until you feel better Members of your household should stay at home for 14 days Published on Friday, July 31, 2020 LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

I was petrified of my dad as a child, so charity’s holiday was my escape’ says Leicester woman A woman who had a tough childhood has spoken about the huge difference a Leicester charity’s holiday trip made to her life. Naomi, now aged 31, went on holiday to Mablethorpe with the charity when she was eight. For her, it was an escape from life at her Leicester home. For account manager Naomi, the initial two-week stay with Leicester Children’s Holidays in 1996 made a huge impact on her. She said: “It suddenly allowed me to be a child again. I could have fun and it was so good to feel safe and carefree.” Naomi, who currently lives in Leicester with her grandfather, said: “I saw things at home that a child should not see. My father was jailed seven times when I was growing up. For more than half of my childhood he was in prison. She remembers how when she was very little, she was always daddy’s girl. She said: “But I grew up petrified of him. Mum protected me and I stayed a lot at my nana and grandad’s, the house where I live now. When my father was in prison we always managed. My mum even had to face court action by my father to get the right to see me. “Along the way my mum and nana were my rocks. Without them both I am not sure I would have coped.” She grew up as only child and went away to Mablethorpe with the charity three times and, just like today, was put forward by her schools, first Coleman Primary and later Linden Primary. And just like today, her mum and her nana took her to the charity’s headquarters at Holy Bones to get her on the coach. “I remember being terribly travel sick”, Naomi said. “My mum always handed me a carrier bag and a bottle ofwater just in case. But I always had an amazing time. “I remember the dorms with 12 girls in each, the cold floors and choosing your bed. I always picked the same one. It was exciting for us children and we seemed to make friends easily. “I don’t remember what film I watched last week but I remember vividly watching Star Wars at a little cinema owned by a lovely couple. It was a real treat. “I remember playing on the beach, the obstacle course and the treasure hunt which was half on the beach and half in the house.” She left home at 18 and studied at De Montfort University and went to work in Birmingham as an account manager and now she is back living in Leicester. Naomi said: “The experience with my father really made me push myself to be an adult. I grew up quickly. I legally ‘divorced’ my father when I was 13 and was determined to be successful and be nothing like him. I never smoked or even considered taking drugs. “I loved my holidays in Mablethorpe and I realised the value of a break. I thought the charity had closed down when the Mablethorpe centre shut but then I saw on LeicestershireLive Facebook site about children’s holidays. “I had to go into the shop at Highcross in Leicester and realised it was the same charity which helped me 23 years ago. I gladly did some gift wrapping for them to help raise money and hope to volunteer again for them in the future.” For the first time in 75 years, Leicester Children’s Holidays’ summer 2020 trips for disadvantaged children have been postponed. Eight-five excited children from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland were lined up to go to Hilltop Outdoor Centre near Sheringham but the centre is not re-opening this summer. The reason is the difficulties children and staff would have to maintain social distancing in the living quarters. During both world wars the charity was proud to allow its centre in Mablethorpe to be used by troops focused on the country’s coastal defences. The charity hopes many of the children will be able to go on holiday next summer, if not before. The charity’s manager Nicky Kandola said: “The fundraising will continue and we will do our best to increase the number of disadvantaged children we take on holiday. “We have investigated alternative holiday centres and even day trips and waited until the last possible moment to make the announcement.” To volunteer at Leicester Children’s Holidays, go to the website here. The charity offers free respite breaks for children aged eight to 11 who live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and may face difficult circumstances at home. The youngsters may live in a low-income family, have suffered a bereavement, be a child carer looking after a parent or sibling, or need a break for a host of other reasons.

Biggest testing operation in the country helping city’s bid to drive down its Covid 19 infection rate The biggest community testing operation in the country is under way in Leicester as the city continues to track down the coronavirus and stop its transmission. At least 70,000 tests have been carried out in the city across all settings – not including care homes and workplaces – since 20 June, with drive-through, walk-in and pop-up testing centres now in place in local neighbourhoods. Thousands of those tests have been carried out in people’s homes, thanks to an army of volunteers who have been delivering self-testing kits to households in key areas of the city. With most test results confirmed within 24 hours, those carrying the virus can be quickly identified and asked to self-isolate, and people they have been in close contact with can be traced and isolated too – preventing the virus from being passed on. And although there’s still a long way to go, early signs are encouraging, with 1.9% of all tests taken in the week to 20 July returning a positive result, compared with a rate of 13.1% at the end of June. Infection rates for the city show there were 157 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 26 June, but that rate had dropped to 74 per 100,000 people in the seven days to 18 July. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Testing is vitally important as it provides us with the information we need to track the virus – and the evidence we need to show that the infection rate is falling in Leicester. “That’s why we’re helping to run the biggest testing operation in the country, mobilising around 500 volunteers to support door-to-door testing, particularly in areas of the city where positive test results have been higher. “The scale of the operation is unprecedented, with testing in Leicester accounting for more than 10% of all the tests being carried out in the whole country. “Working with our partners, we’re inviting people to get tested even if they don’t have symptoms, to help identify anyone who’s carrying the virus and passing it on, even though they’re asymptomatic themselves. “If we offer you a test, I would urge you to take it – and of course anyone with symptoms should stay at home and book a test as quickly as possible. “I’m pleased to say that the response we’ve had to the testing programme has been extremely positive, as no one wants to pass the virus on to members of their family and people recognise that increased testing is our route out of lockdown. “We all want to eliminate this virus from our city – and the sooner we can prove that infection rates are falling, the sooner lockdown restrictions on Leicester will be lifted.” Since 9 July, city council-led teams of volunteers have been delivering easy-to-use self-testing kits to homes in neighbourhoods across the city. This activity has been running in parallel with door-to-door testing, primarily in north-east Leicester, where volunteers have been calling on people at home to offer them a free test, carried out by NHS staff in mobile testing units nearby. Door-to-door testing is complementing the testing sites at Birstall Park & Ride, Evington Leisure Centre, Spinney Hill Park, Victoria Park, the Highfields Centre, the Shree Prajapati Community Centre, the Overton Road ball court and the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Tests at these facilities can be booked by calling 119. Leicester’s director of public health Ivan Browne said a testing programme will continue in the city for as long as it’s needed during the pandemic. “By searching out the virus and ensuring that those with it isolate and don’t pass it on to others, we will be able to bring the transmission rate down in Leicester,” he said. “However, that doesn’t mean it will disappear completely, either here or in the rest of the country, so we must continue to be vigilant and follow the rules about hand hygiene and social distancing that will keep us all safe.” The community testing programme is a joint initiative between the city council, the Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, local health teams and the national test and trace programme. The city council has also set up its own tracing scheme to contact people who have tested positive for Covid-19, but who the national test and trace programme have been unable to reach. During its first five days of operation, the council’s scheme has been able to contact 53 of the 61 cases referred to it (86.8 per cent) within 48 hours of referral. City council staff have contacted those individuals by phone or visited them at home to inform them that they need to self-isolate – and to gather information about the people they have been in close contact with. Details of those contacts are then passed back to Public Health England for tracing. Anyone noticing the first signs of coronavirus – which could include a high temperature, a continuous cough or changes to their sense of taste or smell – must stay at home and arrange a test immediately. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with symptoms should get themselves tested urgently too. The test for coronavirus – which is free of charge – is a simple throat and nasal swab. To book a test at a testing centre in Leicester, go to www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-testor call 119. Anyone testing positive must self-isolate at home for seven days, or until their symptoms have gone. Anyone living in the same household as someone who tests positive must stay at home for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. Advice for everyone in Leicester remains as follows: Stay at home as much as possible Stay 2m apart from anyone outside of your household Wash your hands regularly Make essential journeys only Limit your contact with other people Wear a face mask on buses, in hospitals, in shops, and in any confined space Don’t meet up with people in their homes or in any indoor space Book a test as soon as symptoms appear at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test No internet access? Call 119 to book your test If you test positive, stay at home for at least 7 days and until you feel better Members of your household should stay at home for 14 days Leicester City Council News

Colleagues at a Central England Co-op store in Leicestershire were given a boost in their efforts to encourage all customers to wear face coverings when acting legend Stephen Graham stopped off for some supplies wearing a mask. The star of big and small screen hits that include Line of Duty, This is England and Pirates of the Caribbean nipped in to Ibstock Food Store, in Ashby Road, for some supplies and donned a face covering in line with new guidance that came into force from today. The 46-year-old, who lives in the area with his family, chatted with staff and customers and even posed for a photograph with Team Leader Julie Marlow. She said: “Stephen is a really nice guy and was happy to chat with colleagues and customers and have his picture taken. “It was also great to see him wearing his mask and is great that someone so high profile is setting a good example for everyone to follow. “I would also like to say a big thank you to our customers with regards to wearing face coverings. Although it is early days they have really embraced and, alongside our team here, have come together to support each other in an effort to stay safe.” The star is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation and further credits include working with director Martin Scorsese on Gangs of New York and The Irishman, playing Al Capone in HBO series Boardwalk Empire and most recently stealing the screen in Sky One show Save Me. This came in the same week that former England star Paul Gascoigne chatted with staff at Overseal Food Store, in Burton Road, after nipping in on a couple of occasions while doing business locally. Store Manager Kim Grice said: “It is not very often you get a living legend shopping in your store so it has all been quite amazing really. His surprise shopping visits have really created quite a buzz among the entire community. “It is great to think that a superstar like Gazza has given our little Central England Co-op a thumbs up by shopping with us and then coming back for more.”

Central England Co-op has outlined its plans for in-store face coverings in its food and funeral businesses, as the retailer continues to lead the way on safety measures during these uncertain times. The retailer, which has over 400 food stores and funeral homes across 16 counties, is asking customers to follow Government guidance and wear a face covering when visiting one of its businesses. All colleagues will wear a face covering or visor while at work to ensure everyone plays their part in staying safe and healthy. Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op Chief Executive, said: “Nothing is more important to us all at Central England Cooperative than the health and safety of our colleagues and customers. “Ahead of the official start date of the 24 July for customers to wear face coverings in shops, we will be asking colleagues to do so from today (Monday 20). This is to ensure the message is as clear and consistent as possible for everyone. “Our colleagues have all been supplied with face masks for when they are working and will be playing their part in helping our communities to stay safe. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable wearing a face covering for up to eight hours at a time, and so are also ensuring more comfortable face visors are available to those who prefer to wear one. “Some customers are rightly exempt from this request, for health or religious reasons. We have made these exemptions very clear on our website www.centralengland.coop and all team members will be reminded of these important exemptions. Priority access for NHS team members is still in place, to allow these front-line workers to be in our and out of store as quickly as possible. “So we now ask all of our customers to wear a face covering so we know together we’re co-operating in our efforts to be safe.” The new measures on wearing face coverings will sit alongside a range of others already in place at Central England Co-op sites, which have been very well received by customers.

Officers will continue to be out across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland this weekend working to keep communities safe and protected. Last weekend saw more officers than there would be for a normal New Year’s Eve as policing operations were put into place in both the protected area of Leicester and its surrounds and well as in the wider area of Leicestershire and Rutland. And the weekend saw huge compliance in the protected area with the current Health Protection Regulations in place. Outside of the protected area where lockdown rules have been eased, the vast majority of residents were also seen to be complying with the Government guidelines, acting responsibly and socialising safely. This weekend the work will very much continue as officers anticipate another busy weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said: “Last weekend was an extremely busy weekend which included more than 800 emergency calls and more than 1,800 calls to 101. Throughout all of this, the work carried out by our officers and staff was outstanding. “This work very much continues this weekend and we are fully prepared as we continue to police a force area where different Government guidelines apply to different areas. We want people to have a safe and enjoyable weekend and we have been continually planning and working with our partners to help ensure this. “We do ask that you continue to work with us. If you are living in the protected are, please ensure you stay at home, you only travel if essential, you wash your hands regularly and you maintain two metres social distance from others. If you do have Covid-19 symptoms, ensure you get tested. Last weekend saw excellent compliance with this and we want to ensure this continues. “If you live outside the protected area, please adhere to Government guidelines, acting responsibly, socialising safely and maintaining social distancing. Please make sure you plan your night, stay with your friends and that you have plans in place to get home safely.” The current Health Protection Regulations state that in the protected area, public gatherings of more than six people are banned. Outside the protected area, as across the rest of the country, it is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place. This came into force on Saturday (4 July) as part of the amended regulations. ACC Debenham added: “As we have said, our priority will always be public health. This continues to be a challenging time for everyone but we need to continue to work together as we are to continue to protect lives and livelihoods.” In Market Harborough last weekend, while the majority of people did have an enjoyable and safe night out, a section 34 dispersal order was authorised later on in the evening following some incidents of low level public disorder. Inspector Siobhan Gorman, Neighbourhood Policing Area Commander for Harborough and Wigston, added: “Following last weekend, our work continues and we are working fully with our partners, including Harborough District Council, to ensure people can have a safe and enjoyable time in the area at the weekend. “Our top priority will always be to keep our communities safe and we will take action when required. We simply want to ensure that people who are coming out into the area – or anywhere else across Leicestershire and Rutland – are looking after themselves, are drinking responsibly, socialising safely and having an enjoyable time out."