Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was call to a large fire at Biffa Waste Services, Snibston Drive in Coalville. 8 Crews from across the county tackled the blaze in a warehouse used as a recycling centre. The fire service was called around 6.30pm to reports of smoke and flames coming from the building. There was no employees working on the site at the time of the fire. No injuries have been reported. Fire service called for a water carrier to assist and the fire was soon brought under control. The incident was scaled-down around 10.30pm and damping down and fire checks will be carried out through out the night. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, investigations will take place tomorrow. #LFRS #FireCoalville 

If you are involved in running a charity, this free event is for you. Leicestershire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are hosting events for local charities to help them from becoming victims of cyber-crime and fraud. The one day events are being run twice and are free of charge to attend, they are taking place on Tuesday 28 January and Thursday 6 February and will be held at Force Headquarters. The focus of the events is to provide information on preventing cyber criminals from accessing systems and potentially disrupting organisations. Areas that will be covered include: Current risks faced by charities in a digital environmentHow cyber criminals operateHow to be cyber aware ways to protect yourself and your workplace from potential cyber attacksThe importance of incident management Samantha Hancock, the force’s Cyber Protect Officer, said: “We’re running these events with a specific focus on charities as a way to thank them for all of the hard work they do within our communities. “It’s easy to assume that charities won’t get hit or that they’re ‘too nice' to be targeted by cyber criminals, but not many of us know just how easy it is for a fraudulent email with an attached invoice to get through the system, how important it is to be truly data secure, and how damaging it is to find your email system or website unexpectedly offline. “We hope that as many charities as possible will be able to join us which is why we’re running the event twice. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me on samantha.hancock@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk.” www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--leicester--5251/protect-your-charity/ Bookings to be made via Eventbrite, please search for “Protecting your Charity.”

Leicester’s first climate assembly took place this weekend, bringing together more than 50 local people to help shape the city’s response to the climate emergency. The meeting, which was held at City Hall on Saturday (18 Jan), brought together a cross section of people in Leicester to deliberate on the city’s draft plans to become carbon neutral as soon as possible. It was part of a major 12-week programme of consultation activities launched by the city council to let people have their say on how Leicester will need to respond to the global climate crisis. The day involved a series of discussions and workshops run by the city council with support from independent grass roots democracy experts Talkshop and The RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce), a charity with a 30,000 strong fellowship that aims to build networks and help people to collaborate and influence social change. Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who gave the welcoming address to the climate assembly, said: “This is the first time the city council has brought together an assembly in this way and the feedback from the day will play a really important part in Leicester’s wider climate emergency consultation. “Responding to the climate emergency will mean making big changes to the way we live and work. It affects us all and that’s why getting the public involved in helping to shape how the city responds is so important. “It was very encouraging that so many people were prepared to invest their time in our first Climate Assembly. The feedback and ideas from the sessions will be a vital part of wider climate emergency conversation. “We’re also very excited to be hosting a young person’s assembly next week, and there is still plenty of time for people across the city to let us have their views as part of the online consultation.” Riley Thorold, researcher at the RSA, said: “The evidence on the climate emergency is undeniable, but any successful action needs the support of communities. It’s great to see Leicester bringing evidence and the public together in deliberative events like this. “An effective response to the climate emergency will require social and political action which in turn requires public buy-in. There will be major social, political and economic obstacles – many of which are not yet apparent – and Leicester residents need to be on-board with this journey.” A young people’s climate assembly – which will bring together schoolchildren from across Leicester – is due to take place at City Hall on Monday 27 January. The consultation on Leicester’s response to the climate emergency runs until Monday 9 February. To take part, visit consultations.leicester.gov.uk An online discussion forum has also been launched at dialogue.leicester.gov.uk/climate-emergency-conversation

Cosmopolitan Arts brings Chinese New Year to the city for the 4th year, with a dazzling array of dance, music, art, workshops & food to welcome the year of the rat. Come and join in and be prepared to be wowed with a celebration of colour and vibrant cultural festivities. Free family friendly events throughout the 15 day celebrations. City Centre Procession Sunday 26 January - De Montfort University to New Market Square - 2.30pm – 5pm Traditional procession plus spectacular outdoor film projection performance with pyrotechnics and traditional lion and dragon dance. Instant, Insight, Inscape Tuesday 28 January – Thursday 6 February - Curve Theatre Chinese Paintings by SUN Jiujiang and WANG Yu Last Friday at LCB Depot Friday 31 January - LCB Depot, Rutland Street - 5pm – 10pm Free workshops, activities and lion dance performances. Chinese New Year celebrations Saturday 1 February - New Walk Museum, New Walk - 11am – 4pm Chinese New Year celebration, with traditional performances and workshops. Chinese New Year finale Saturday 8 February - Humberstone Gate - 11am – 4.30pm A wonderful end to the celebrations with exciting performances and workshops. DOWNLOAD THE POSTER HERE https://www.visitleicester.info/dbimgs/Chinese%20New%20Year%20Leaflet.pdf For more details https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/chinese-new-year-p791421

Leicestershire Police has launched the latest phase of its Lives Not Knives campaign with some hard hitting imagery. The imagery, which will appear on buses throughout the city and county, includes a teenager in a mortuary with the words “Killed by his own knife.” Another image depicts a gravestone with the same wording. It’s hoped that by highlighting the consequences, the campaign will prevent people from picking up a knife in the first place. Statistically, those who choose to carry a knife as a weapon or as a protective measure, are more likely to be injured or killed by it. The campaign has teenagers specifically in mind and aims to educate them of the dangers of carrying a knife as early as possible. Superintendent Shane O’Neill, who leads the force’s response to knife crime, said: “We hope these new images will raise awareness of knife crime among youngsters and its potentially deadly consequences while encouraging them to seek alternative and positive routes by channelling their energies elsewhere. “Education is the best way of preventing potential offenders later on in life. This latest phase of our Lives Not Knives campaign is a big part of that and although the majority of people don’t carry a knife, it’s that small minority we hope to get the message through to. “It sounds obvious but many teenagers don’t realise that carrying a weapon, whether for reassurance and protective purposes, puts them at far higher risk of injury and death. They may never intend to use it, but situations can quickly get out of hand and a split second decision in the heat of the moment, can ruin lives and leave families devastated. “We hope this campaign will promote a discussion among those who carry knives and their peers and families. This should make them think twice so that they can make the right choice and not pick up a knife in the first place.” The force, which will also publish the images on social media channels throughout the coming months, as well as bus shelters throughout the city, spoke to young people in schools to help shape the campaign. Supt O’Neill added: “Our research with them showed that the most memorable images and therefore more likely to be listened to, were those that were hard hitting and highlighted the consequences. “As ever we also encourage anyone with concerns for themselves, a friend, family member or relative to speak to us or another appropriate agency for support and diversion. “Clearly we will not tolerate knives on our streets and will do everything we can to catch offenders.” Lord Willy Bach, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, has funded many projects to combat the scourge of knife crime, plus the trauma kits now carried in frontline police cars and is supportive of the campaign. He said: “It’s important that we communicate effectively with those at risk of either becoming a victim or perpetrator of knife crime. That means using a variety of methods and imagery. I very much hope that this hard-hitting campaign drives the message home that carrying a knife can also carry dire consequences - it’s just not worth it.” For more knife crime resources or advice visit the force website. #LeicsPolice #LivesNotKnives

Over 100 penalty charge notices were issued as part of a campaign to tackle drivers parking carelessly or illegally outside schools across Leicester. Between August and December 2019, Leicester City Council visited schools throughout the city with both a specially-equipped CCTV car and a mobile camera to catch motorists parking inconsiderately during the busy morning and afternoon school run times. In all 109 motorists were handed penalty charge notices for offences including parking on double yellow lines or keep clear zig-zag markings. Officers visited 11 schools during the autumn 2019 term, including Spinney Hill Primary School, Coleman Primary, Inglehurst School, Oakland School, Dovelands Schools, Braunstone Frith Junior School, Taylor Road Primary School, Crown Hills Community College, Rolleston Primary School, Linden Primary and Mayflower Primary School. A further round of school visits using the CCTV car and camera are planned for the spring term 2020, including other schools where concerns over parking have been raised. Leicester City Council is working with Nottingham City Council on the enforcement, sharing both the camera vehicle and the backroom functions needed to process and issue fines. Leicester assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods, Cllr Kirk Master, said: “Inconsiderate, careless and dangerous parking outside schools is an issue we regularly get asked to tackle by concerned residents. “While most motorists do park safely and sensibly, there are those who think they can park on zig-zag yellow lines or double yellow lines which have been put there for the safety of all pedestrians, including their own children. “By continuing to make school visits and enforcing the parking restrictions we want to get the message across that parking without any regard for others, especially in areas where there are lots of children and vehicles, just isn’t acceptable.” The fines for parking contraventions are £70, which are reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Income from parking fines is re-invested in road safety schemes across the city. Outside Mayflower Primary School in Evington, 17 fines were issued on one morning in December 2019 as part of the enforcement work. Mayflower head teacher Luke Whitney added: “All schools work very hard to keep children safe. Inconsiderate parking can pose a real risk to all members of our community, and enforcement work can help to get that message across. “Positive education, including walking to school, cycling, park-and-stride, and a walking bus will help to reduce this risk to our children, and also improve their health safety and wellbeing.” source : LCC News

Section of Church Gate will be closed to traffic on Sunday (19 January) as the city council prepares to reverse traffic flow on that part of the city centre street. Church Gate will be closed between its junctions with St Peter’s Lane and Gravel Street from 8am on Sunday, with a section of Butt Close Lane - between Blake Street and Church Gate - also closed. Once council workers have installed new signs and painted new road markings to enable the change to take place, the section of Church Gate will re-open on Sunday afternoon, with traffic now flowing one-way towards Gravel Street. During the closures, parking in the area will be suspended and diversion routes will be in place and clearly signposted. The following day (Monday 20 January), Sandacre Street will close to traffic for around six months, as works to reconstruct and upgrade the road get under way. The permanent change on Church Gate and the refurbishment of Sandacre Street – which will be part of an improved new route for pedestrians between Leicester’s two bus stations – are part of a £4m scheme that is creating a new link road for buses between Belgrave Gate and Mansfield Street. The construction of the new link road – which will be called Savoy Street - got under way in November and is due for completion in mid-2020. While Sandacre Street is closed, traffic wishing to access St Peter’s Lane or Mansfield Street will be diverted via Burleys Way, Burleys Way roundabout, Belgrave Gate, Haymarket and Church Gate. The Belgrave Gate and Mansfield Street link road and improvement scheme is supported by the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP).

John Whitbread, Creator of Spotted:App Since launching in December, the Spotted:App looks on-course to revolutionise the way that Leicestershire residents search for business services in the future. The app, which has already seen almost a thousand users in its first month, has been designed to make the process of finding a reliable and trusted service so much simpler. Spotted:App was the brainchild of local businessman, John Whitbread, who is so passionate about helping businesses he has risked it all, even selling his house, and put everything on the line to make it work. John created the simple-to-use app to connect the buyer (the customer) with the seller (the service provider), whether they need help or recommendations with odd-jobs, or services such as dog walkers, solicitors or personal trainers. Spotted:App has been created so it’s freely accessible to all Leicestershire residents. “It’s the simplicity of its use that I’ve been mindful of since day one. I realised that algorithms on certain websites and apps are making decisions on behalf of the customer, showing them what it thinks they want to see, rather than showing all options available, meaning they are less likely to make a well-informed decision”, offers John. “The Spotted:App provides all options available to a customer without any algorithms, or adverts being biased to the top, giving them the ability to find the right business for their job”. He continues: “It’s only through having all the options available that we can really make educated decisions, so I wanted to create that very thing: I wanted to link businesses and customers with technology aiding the process, rather than hindering it”. After a year in development and selling his house to fund the project, it’s safe to say that John is both excited and passionate about sending the Spotted:App out into the world, and his dedication and hard work is already starting to pay off, as the initial user figures testify. He says: “It has been an interesting 12 months, as well as a steep learning curve, but I’m really proud of what I’ve created. We have already had over 850 people downloading and using the app in the first month of launch alone, and this is just the beginning!” Anyone can download and use the app for free via the Google Play and App Store or visit www.spottedapp.com for more information. Spotted page on Facebook (official page is https://www.facebook.com/thespottedapp/

Members of groups across Leicestershire celebrated being handed their grant from the Central England Co-operative Community Dividend Fund. Schools, football clubs and good causes were among those who shared the payout, with a total of over £44,000 handed out to 25 good causes across 16 counties from the retailer’s Community Dividend Fund. St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy will use £5,000 to create seated areas across its play areas, new litter and recycling bins and some replacement play equipment. Sharon Marton, school council co-ordinator, said: “The tree benches and the recycling bins will make a such a huge difference to the children of St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy. “The play areas will become vibrant fun areas for the children and will also encourage and teach the children to more environmentally friendly. We can't wait for all this to become a reality once spring arrives.” A total of £2,664 has been handed to Norton Housing and Support for vital cooking equipment to allow people with mental health needs and pregnant homeless women to learn about healthy eating and how to cook better. More people than ever will be able to stop and watch the multiple number of teams who play under the Bottesford Football Club banner after it was awarded £2,500 to pay for a vital extension to its car park. The club has 12 pitches and has 29 teams in total. Nick Dobney, from Bottesford Football Club, said: “The Central England Co-op store has only been open in Bottesford for a couple of months and we are therefore delighted that they have chosen Bottesford Football Club as one of the first beneficiaries of the Community Dividend Fund. “We are a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers offering football to approximately 400 local people so funding of this nature is vital to the club to enable us to improve our facilities. “Everyone at the club would like to thank the Central England Co-op for their support.” Groups Altogether Men in Sheds, based in South Wigston, will have an array of new tools following a grant of £1,400. Rob Elliott, from then group, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Central England Co-op for the kind donation. “It will make a big difference to our existing members and enable us to increase membership in the future.” Grants of between £100 and £5,000 are handed out every three months to a wide range of applicants. The fund guarantees that at least one per cent of the Society’s trading profit is reinvested in local communities in a bid to help projects to thrive across its trading area of 16 counties from the Midlands to the east coast. People can apply for funding by visiting https://communities.centralengland.coop/ Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate. Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

Joining the growing trend for young people to act to improve the environment, girls and boys of the 1st At-Taqwa Beaver Colonyused recyclable items to make models of endangered animals such as elephants, giraffes and loggerhead sea turtles at their meeting on Friday 10 January 2020. The activity counts towards the Beaver Scout Global Issues Activity Badge, created for Scouts by national recycling brand Recycle Now, and funded by Postcode Earth Trust. The badge is for 6 to 8-year-olds. It aims to get young people thinking about environmental issues both at home and abroad, and how they can help make the whole world a better place, from the way they interact with the environment to what they choose to buy at the shop. As well as endangered species, there are also opportunities to learn about recycling and energy saving, fairly-traded products and clean and safe drinking water. The children used Recycle Now’s Recycling Locator to help their families and friends find out what items are recyclable in their local area. At the session, they discussed what ‘endangered’ means, then built models of the animals, without using any glue, Sellotape or glitter so that the models could be fully recycled. They also discussed how to help the animals not to becomeextinct. After the activity they took their models home and usedthem to talk to their families about the importance of recycling , before finally taking them apart and recycling them. Craig Stephens, Recycle Now Campaign Manager, said: “More and more of us are becoming aware of the need to play our part in caring for the world around us. Our partnership with the Scouts, funded by Postcode Earth Trust, has created a brilliant opportunity for children to have fun at the same time as learning how they can take positive action themselves and encourage others to do the same, in their own neighbourhood and the wider world.” Simon Carter from the Scouts said: “For many young people recycling is something they have grown up with, and they are positive advocates. The key to harnessing this natural desire to do the right thing is to make sure they educate their parents too and help them find places to recycle as much as possible. “Our partnership with Recycle Now helps make recycling a reality rather than a wish for most families.” For more information about Recycle Now visitwww.recyclenow.com

A man in is 60s was taken to hospital after being attacked by a man during a aggravated burglary at his home in Wigston on Monday afternoon. He sadly died this morning, Leicestershire Police have now launch a murder investigation. Another man who was also in the house who is in his 70s, suffered minor injuries." Detectives have launched a murder investigation today (Tuesday) following the death of a man at a house in Wigston. Shortly before 3.45pm yesterday (Monday) police were called to an address in Gibson Close, following a report that two men had been injured during an aggravated burglary. A man entered the house and assaulted the men inside before taking a quantity of cash and leaving, heading out of the house and turning left on to Kings Drive. One of the men, who was in his 60s, was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries to his chest, but died in the early hours of this morning. The other man, who is in his 70s, suffered minor injuries. Detective Inspector Jonathan Blockley, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) major crime team is leading the investigation. He said: “This man lost his life as a result of the mindless actions of someone who entered the house and took a quantity of cash. “Our enquiries are in their early stages and we are carrying out extensive investigations in the area of Gibson Close, speaking to residents and looking at any CCTV opportunities. “I’d like to hear from anyone who saw anything that caused them concern yesterday afternoon. Gibson Close is not far from the busy shopping area in Wigston and this incident happened at a time when many people will have been collecting children from school or making their way home from work. “Did you see anyone or any vehicles in the area acting in a manner that seemed unusual, suspicious or caught your attention? You may not have thought much of it at the time, but think back. Any information you have may help our investigation. “I would also like to speak to anyone who has CCTV footage installed at their property – whether it’s a home or business – or anyone who was driving in the area at the time and has a dashcam installed in their vehicle.” Call 101, quoting incident 411 of 13 January or visit https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM19I79-PO1 to upload information to the public portal.

A man has admitted multiple explosives and ammunition offences after part of a Leicestershire village was cordoned off by bomb disposal experts. Matthew Montanow, 29, was arrested in Newbold Coleorton on 12 September. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing explosive substances, two counts of making explosive substances, and four of possessing prohibited ammunition at Leicester Crown Court. Montanow, of Vicarage Close in the village, will be sentenced on 3 April. Police said in September they did not believe the incident was terror-related.