The life and times of Leicester hero and Suffragette Alice Hawkins will be the subject of a talk at a Leicester Children’s Holidays charity fund-raiser. VIP speaker Peter Barratt, Alice’s great-grandson, is the guest and will help mark the 100th anniversary of the Suffragette movement. He will speak about Alice (pictured) at the ‘FAB for Christmas’ lunch at the Taste Restaurant on Leicester College’s Freeman’s Park campus LE2 7LW on Wednesday November 6 from 11am to 3pm. The tickets are £25 and available from the charity office on 0116 251 9863 or on the charity’s website. Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fab-for-christmas-tickets-75474868363 (please note if buying tickets online the total price will be £26.64 due to admin fees). Charity staff plan to dress up in traditional costume too. A 7ft bronze statue of Alice Hawkins was unveiled in Leicester’s market square last summer. In 1907 Alice joined a Suffragette meeting in London on the day of the state opening of Parliament. She was arrested for disorderly conduct outside the House of Commons and spent 14 days in Holloway Prison with 28 other women. Leicester Children's Holidays is one of the city's oldest charities and has sent 60,000 children from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on free trips. The respite breaks are for children aged 8 to 11 who may face difficult circumstances at home.

Performer shooting million-volt bolts of lightning from his body will be part of a breath-taking live show at this year’s Abbey Park Fireworks Display. The Lords of Lightning will see a death-defying performer clad head to foot in chainmail manipulating crackling bolts of white-hot electricity in the stunning live show. The high-voltage Frequency Rider show will see a performer on a podium, controlling music frequencies via a Tesla coil – a type of electrical transformer circuit – to create a choreographed live display harnessing light and sounds accompanied by a high intensity soundtrack. It is the first time the company has appeared live at the event, which is the city’s biggest and best family-friendly fireworks and bonfire show. Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display takes place on Saturday, November 2. The timetable for the event includes: 5pm Gates open, with last admission at 7.30pm 6pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 6.35pm Lords of Lightning show 6.45pm Children’s fireworks display, followed by lighting the bonfire 7pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 7.40pm Performer shooting million-volt bolts of lightning from his body will be part of a breath-taking live show at this year’s Abbey Park Fireworks Display. The Lords of Lightning will see a death-defying performer clad head to foot in chainmail manipulating crackling bolts of white-hot electricity in the stunning live show. The high-voltage Frequency Rider show will see a performer on a podium, controlling music frequencies via a Tesla coil – a type of electrical transformer circuit – to create a choreographed live display harnessing light and sounds accompanied by a high intensity soundtrack. It is the first time the company has appeared live at the event, which is the city’s biggest and best family-friendly fireworks and bonfire show. Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event. “It is part of a programme of family-friendly activities and attractions taking place throughout the evening, which really does promise something for everyone.” Advance tickets are now available for the event, offering up to 40 percent discount on the prices at the gate. They are available from the De Montfort Hall website or by calling the box office on 0116 233 3111. The deadline to buy tickets online is Wednesday, October 30. Tickets will only be available after this time in person. Tickets are also available at the Visit Leicester shop on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre. Advance tickets cost £6 for adults, £4 for under 16s and other concessions, while family tickets for up to two adults and two children cost £16. Children under four get in for free. Tickets on the gate cost £8 for adults, and £5.50 for under 16s and other concessions. No family tickets will available for sale on the gate. There is no car parking in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site. Abbey Park is a short walk from the city centre car parks. More information on public transport is available from Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. Further information about the event is available at www.visitleicester.info For advice on cycling and walking route plus car shares, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk entertainment from BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy and Summaya 7.50pm Lords of Lightning show 8pm Main fireworks display 8.25pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 9pm Event ends Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event. “It is part of a programme of family-friendly activities and attractions taking place throughout the evening, which really does promise something for everyone.” Advance tickets are now available for the event, offering up to 40 percent discount on the prices at the gate. They are available from the De Montfort Hall website or by calling the box office on 0116 233 3111. The deadline to buy tickets online is Wednesday, October 30. Tickets will only be available after this time in person. Tickets are also available at the Visit Leicester shop on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre. There is no car parking in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site. Abbey Park is a short walk from the city centre car parks. More information on public transport is available from Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. Further information about the event is available at www.visitleicester.info For advice on cycling and walking route plus car shares, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.ukStage entertainment from BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy and Summaya 7.50pm Lords of Lightning show 8pm Main fireworks display 8.25pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 9pm Event ends Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event.

Leicester’s famous Diwali lights will be lighting up the city’s Golden Mile from Sunday October 13 this year, heralding the start of two weeks of festivities. The Wheel of Light, Diwali Village and a spectacular aerial firework display will all make a welcome return to the switch-on event, which is expected to draw crowds of around 40,000 people from all over the UK and beyond. Leicester’s deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport,Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Our world-famous Diwali celebrations are a Leicester tradition, bringing together our diverse communities to celebrate the Festival of Light. “As well as the Diwali Village, Wheel of Light and fireworks displays on both Diwali Day and for the lights switch-on, there will be lots of themed activities and events taking place throughout the city during the two weeks leading up to Diwali Day on October 27. “We welcome everyone to join in and enjoy the magic of the Festival of Light at one of the largest Diwali celebrationsoutside of India.” On October 13, the celebrations begin at 3pm with the opening of the Diwali village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. Open until 9pm, the Diwali village will include a full stage programme showcasing local talent, as well as children’s funfair rides and food stalls. To give light and warmth to everyone who comes to the park, a three metre-tall, moon-shaped fire installation, called The Fireball, will burn brightly from twilight for the duration of the event. The stage programme on Belgrave Road will begin at 5.30pm and will include a vibrant programme of music and dance presented by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and Leicester City Council, supported by Curve theatre and compered by Leicester Hindu Festival Council and BBC Radio Leicester. Highlights include a colourful review of Curve’s recent community production of ‘Bollywood Jane’, inspired by the classic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. There will also be a performance from award-winning musician Navin Kundra. Leicester’s famous display of 6,000 Diwali lights will be switched on at 7.30pm, followed by a spectacular firework display, which can be viewed from Belgrave Road. The area will also host roaming street artists, including a giant puppet parade from 5.30-6.30pm. And visitors will be able to pop in to the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre from 4pm to see the annual Mela Rangoli exhibition, with its mixture of modern and traditional Rangoli styles. Other events taking place as part of the festival include the Diwali Mela Bazaar on Humberstone Gate on Saturday October 19, which will offer arts and crafts, tantalising Indian cuisine and live entertainment. A pop-up shop in the Highcross, from 15-18 October, will offer Diwali-themed activities from Leicester’s arts, museums and festivals staff, while a family day at Curve on October 19 will include storytelling, mendhi hand decorating, Rangoli art and an exhibition of traditional Indian dance and costume. Belgrave Road will be the focus once again for Leicester’s Diwali Day celebrations on Sunday October 27, when the Diwali village will return to Cossington Street Recreation Ground from 3pm, along with entertainment on stage from 6pm. Fireworks will round off the celebrations, with an aerial display created and choreographed by local company Bright Spark Fireworks, producing layers of spectacular colour and sound, exploding hundreds of feet above the Belgrave Road. The Wheel of Light, a 110-foot Ferris wheel which provides a glittering centrepiece to the festivities, will be on Belgrave Road from Friday October 11 to Sunday November 10. A full programme of events is available at visitleicester.info

• Get a taste for life in the Army by speaking to career advisors and serving soldiers at events happening across Leicestershire next week• Experience what it’s like to be in the British Army using virtual reality technology • Beat the Army Chefs omelette challenge, and test your speed and agility with our Army Batak machine and climbing wall • Friday 27 September – Gateway College – 9-3pm • Saturday 28 September - Jubilee Square 9-4pm British Army recruitment events are taking place across colleges in Leicestershire and in the city centre next week (Monday 23 to Saturday 28 September) to help students and locals find out more about what a career in the British Army is like. Local soldiers and career advisors will be available to answer any questions about the breadth of roles available in the Army as a Regular or Reservist as well as share information about what it’s like to be in the Army. In addition to careers advisors from Leicester Armed Forces Career Office, serving soldiers from The Medical Corps, The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), The Royal Artillery Corps, The Royal Anglian Regiment, The Royal Yeomanry, The Coldstream Guards, The AdjutantGeneral Corps and The Royal Signals. They will be available throughout the events to speak to students at the colleges and visitors in the city centre. The events will showcase a wide range of the latest Army kit and equipment, including virtual reality technology so that visitors can experience jumping out of a plane or driving a Challenger 2 tank. Visitors can test their speed and agility on the Army Batak machineand take on the Army Chefs omelette challenge (how fast can you cook an omelette?). Army PTIs will be on site at the colleges to run Army Command Tasks and other physical activities. The RLC’s EOD are bringing their Dragon Runner which is a military robot built for urban combat. Stuart Jackson, Lead Recruiter for Leicester Armed Forces Careers Office, said: “We’re looking forward to running multiple events across Leicestershire next week and speaking to students at the colleges and locals at the city centre event about what opportunities are available in the British Army and what Army life is like. We’d welcome anyone interested in finding out about the breadth of roles available in the Army – as a Regular or Reservist – to come and speak to our career advisors and put their questions to serving soldiers.” Staff Sgt Susan Jarvis, Adjutant General Corps, (SPS) said: “We want students to come and interact with our displays on campus to find out how they can challenge themselves with an exciting career in the British Army.” “Students can have the opportunity to meet soldiers and ask any questions they have about Army life and a career in the Army. We’re recruiting for lots of different types of jobs from Leicestershire, including everything from drivers to engineers, to chefs and infantry soldiers.” The British Army supports people in achieving their personal and professional goals, whether it’s conquering a pull up or taking on a leadership role. The Army is recruiting and there is a breadth of roles and opportunities available in both the Regular Army and Army Reserve, from helicopter pilot to nurse, from engineer to IT specialist. You can go sky diving or skiing abroad as part of adventure training and gain further qualifications such as an apprenticeship or a degree. As part of life in the British Army, lifelong friendship bonds are formed and incredible challenges are overcome to achieve worthwhile results, for example saving lives by providing assistance on humanitarian or peacekeeping missions at home or abroad. Did you know, with a career in the Army: - You receive an annual salary of £20,000 after training (over £15,000 during training) plus pension as a Soldier and over £31,000 after training plus pension as an Officer (available to those after completing their A Levels or later as a graduate). You receive 30 days annual holiday on top of all the usual bank holidays, and extra time off when you deploy on operations. You have opportunities to travel overseas for operations, adventurous training, sport and peacekeeping from training in Kenya to supporting the UN in Cyprus or from sky-diving in Florida to mountaineering in the Himalayas. You have access to free gym and sports facilities, with world class fitness and nutritional advice. You gain skills and qualifications that are transferable to life after the Army. Any medical procedures or dental work that you require is paid for by the Army and is carried out by fully qualified Army personnel or private practices where necessary. You have a clear promotion structure to follow. Each successive rank brings extra responsibilities, duties and respect, and an increase in pay.- As a Soldier you will be o trained as an apprentice, relating to your role, with a choice of 40 different schemes, from engineering to animal care.o offered over 500 different qualifications, from GCSE to degrees, including all kinds of professional and practical qualifications in areas such as chartered engineering and accountancy that will build up your CV. To find out further information about joining the Army Reserves or Regular Army visit your local Army Careers Centre, where one of our careers advisors will be happy to answer any questions about joining or search ‘Army Jobs’: http://www.apply.army.mod.uk

A week on from the alleged murder of 21-year-old Mohammed Jibreel, officers have been handing out leaflets in the area where the incident happened. Police were in Taylor Road, Leicester, and the surrounding area this afternoon (Saturday) speaking with people in the community, appealing for information and providing reassurance. Officers were also on local buses handing leaflets to passengers after enquiries have shown a bus in the area around the time of the incident last week. Mohammed Jibreel was found injured in the area of Taylor Road and Kashmir Road in St Matthews, Leicester, at around 3pm last Saturday (21 September). He had suffered a stab wound and was taken to hospital where he died during the early hours of Sunday morning. A murder investigation was launched and enquiries have been ongoing throughout the past week to find those responsible. This has included speaking to witnesses, extensive CCTV analysis and public appeals for information. The leaflets handed out today show two images of Mohammed and ask for anyone with any information to make contact. This includes appealing to anyone who was in the area last Saturday afternoon as well as anyone who witnessed the incident or saw a group of people running away at around the time of the incident. It states: “Any information you can provide, no matter how small, could help us.” The appeal is written in English, Arabic, Gujarati and Somali. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Yarwood said: “We have been carrying out numerous enquiries across the past week including a number of public appeals for witnesses. “By having officers in the area this afternoon, we hope to continue with our gathering of information while speaking to people in the community following the past week. “Enquiries have shown a bus in the area at the time, and so with the co-operation of the bus company, we have also had officers engaging with bus passengers in the area today. “We continue to ask anyone who was in the area at the time and who has any information to make contact with us. Did you witness the incident or did you see people running in the area? “Were you on a bus in the area last week? Do you have any images or footage from the area which could assist our enquiries?” “I would like to thank everyone who has spoken with our officers this afternoon and helped us with our enquiries as well as the bus company for their full co-operation with us.” Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 372 of 21 September. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or complete a form online using the portal https://mipp.police.uk Ali Mohamed, 19, of Pembroke Street, Leicester, has been charged with the murder of Mohammed Jibreel and remanded in police custody. A 17-year-old man, of Leicester, arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation. A 19-year-old man, of Leicester, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender as part of the investigation currently remains in police custody being questioned by detectives.

The founder of a Leicestershire horse discovery centre which helps people who struggle with anxiety and stress is delighted to have been shortlisted for two East Midlands business awards. Dina Shale, 48, who lives in Hinckley, runs The Way of the Horse which uses horses for therapy sessions. She has been shortlisted for an East Midlands Women’s Award 2019 in the category Outstanding Woman with Community Impact. Her other shortlisted award is for community excellence for the East Midlands Nachural awards run by business leader and event manager Ninder Dina also advises at Rescue Ranch UK on the same site in Lutterworth, a charity at which her husband Derek is the chairman. It takes in horses and ponies who are abandoned or neglected. The animals are nursed back to health and given a new life, a process which can take months. They are then available to be re-homed, sponsored or work with clients for the therapy programs. Dina set up The Way of the Horse Discovery Centre four and a half years ago and it is based on an 11-acre site. There are currently 11 horses on site. It is a not-for-profit organisation at which she and her team have developed self-help programs for children and adults who have suffered emotional hardship, such as anxiety, trauma and stress, all with the assistance of rescue horses. She said: “A number of clients and former clients nominated me for the women’s award which is amazing as it shows how much we have done for them and how they appreciate the programme. it means a lot. It has been challenging to run these ventures. Even though we work with small groups, we have a big impact on their lives. It is so good to see the effect the therapy has on their outlook on life.” Dina said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of an anonymous donor who recently offered cash support to one of her clients, a girl from Leicester aged 11. The girl, who is not attending school, had her funding to attend The Way of the Horse sessions cut by the education authority. Dina said: “Companies had started to respond to my appeal and then one businessperson who wished to remain anonymous kindly stumped up the money for this girl to continue to come to my centre. She responds to the horses she looks after and this will make an enormous difference to her life.” The presentation night for the Nachural awards is on Friday, September 27 at Leicester’s Maher Centre in Ravensbridge Drive. The East Midlands Women’s award gala night is on Friday, October 11 at Colwick Hall Hotel in Nottingham. For more news on the progress of the charity, or to support the cause, visit the Rescue Ranch UK Facebook account here or Instagram here

Wigston based charity Community Action Partnership provides community transport for the people of Blaby, Oadby and Wigston. Using a combination of volunteers’ vehicles and its own vehicle it delivers around 15,000 passenger journeys a year. In June Community Action Partnership acquired a new Ford Transit minibus, which can carry nine passengers and one wheelchair user, to enhance its services. Signage was expertly added by local company Wigston Signs & Graphics and funded by the Rotary Club of Wigston. A Club representative said that Community Action Partnership provided an important service to those who may have difficulty in accessing public transport and the Club waspleased to support its work. Enquirers about Community Action Partnership’s services, volunteering or supporting its work should telephone 0116 2887482 or visit its website www.communityactionpartnership.org.uk.

Police and bomb disposal are at a quiet Leicestershire village this afternoon. A man has been arrested on suspicion of making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. Emergency services including the bomb disposal and hazardous area teams were called to a property on Vicarage close in Newbold Coleorton near Ashby earlier today. Police have released the following statement. “A warrant was executed this morning (Thursday) at an address in Newbold Coleorton under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. There is no evidence that this has links to terrorism and is not being treated as a terrorist incident. Officers are at the scene, along with colleagues from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Explosive Ordinance Disposal. Enquiries are ongoing. As a precaution, three properties have been evacuated and there is a cordon in areas of the village.” EMAS - East Midlands Ambulance Service has issued a statement, A spokesperson said: “We received a call at 2.06pm today to Coalville to assist police with an incident. We sent two paramedics in two ambulance cars and our Hazardous Area Response Team” Updated News 21:00 Residents from the three properties that were evacuated have been allowed back and all cordons have been lifted. Updated News Sat 14/09/19 A man has been charged with six offences following the execution of a warrant at an address in Newbold Coleorton, near Ashby. Matthew Montanow, 29, of Vicarage Close, Newbold Coleorton, has been charged with three offences. He has been charged with: One count of making or possessing an explosive under suspicious circumstances Four counts of possessing firearm ammunition during a five year period following a suspended sentence of three months or more One count of possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate Officers attended the address on Thursday 12 September, where Montanow was arrested. He will be appearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court this morning (Saturday 14 September). #LeicsPolice #NewboldColeorton

Colleagues from across HSBC UK joined Leicester’s 2019 Pride Parade & Festival on 31 August 2019. One of the city’s largest cultural events, Leicester Pride is an annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival. The festival promotes equality, diversity, advance education and aims to eliminate discrimination and homophobia throughout the community. The event celebrates all aspects of the LGBT community. 2019’s hugely succesful event saw 15,000 people attending the festival in Victoria Park and a further 2,000 people join the LGBT community to come to together to march through the city centre in a vibrant parade that marks the beginning of the festival. Molly Aquila, Manager, HSBC UK said:“HSBC UK were delighted to organise a group of volunteers for Leicester’s 2019 Pride Parade & Festival. We were honoured to be asked to carry the PRIDE letters in front of the giant rainbow flag leading the parade of more than 2000 people walking from the Curve Theatre up to Victoria Park. This was the first year HSBC UK have been official sponsors and provided volunteers for the event but we look forward to being involved next year.” Check out the Pictures on Leicester Pride’s Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/leicesterpride/ Leicester Media Proud media partner of Leicester Pride

Leicestershire Police has this morning launched a brand new campaign tackling theft from vans. The force wide campaign is looking to combat a common spike in this type of crime which often occurs in October as the nights begin to turn darker, earlier. Statistics from 2018 showed that there was nearly 130 more theft from vans in October, compared to September. The campaign includes a social media push, involving a video highlighting good van keeping practice vs bad and how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this type of crime. The force is also implementing a golden ticket style competition across the county. Crime preventions packs full of advice on how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this type of crime will be handed out across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with van owners able to collect their packs from their local police station. In three crime prevention packs across the County will be a golden ticket, entitling the lucky winner to a specialised crime prevention van lock. Detective Inspector and vehicle crime lead at Leicestershire Police, Simon Preston, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to share this new campaign with the public. “Theft from vans is an extremely important issue that the force is tackling. “This is a crime that impacts people’s jobs and livelihoods. In a split second thousands of pounds worth of equipment can be stolen. This is costly, not only because stolen tools need to be replaced, but also because the time and business lost whilst waiting for new tools to arrive is so substantial. “There are steps van owners can take to help prevent themselves from becoming victims of this crime, something I hope our campaign will really emphasise. “We are encouraging van owners to: always make sure their vehicle is locked, no matter how quickly they think they will return to the vehicle. Security mark your tools, if in the unfortunate event your tools are stolen this will make them much easier to trace. When possible, remove all valuables from your vehicle. “Other tips when parking your van include: park in a well-lit area, near to CCTV. If you can, park as close to another vehicle or building to prevent access to doors. “Should you see any suspicious activity or have any information on this type of crime please let us know by calling 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency. more on keeping your vehicle safe www.leics.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/theft-from-a-vehicle/vehicle-safe-and-sound/ #LeicsPolice

A Large Public House Fire in Market Harborough last night. 8 crews were fighting the blaze. This fire started on the first floor and quickly spread into the roof space at around 10.50pm at the Roebuck Pub on Trimbush Way, near to the Tesco Express. The petrol forecourt at Tesco had to closed for safety reasons. All the staff and customers in the pub was able to get out of the property safely. It’s looks like the roof of the pub is totally destroyed by the blaze. Aerial ladder platform in use. People in close vicinity of this incident have been advised to keep their windows closed due to the volume of smoke in the area. Gas, Electricity and water agencies are in attendance. No reports of any injuries. The A4304 Rockingham Road is currently closed by the Police. Firefighters are still there damping down this morning and will be there for most of the day. The building is now structurally unsafe and will remain closed until further notice. Fire service Updates 01:12 - Fire service still in attendance, Aerial Ladder Platform water supply being boosted by the water carrier and water relay. Roof at the rear of the premises is being stripped by crews to prevent fire spread. 1 Compressed air foam system (CAFS) pump is being got to work into roof space. 01:34 - Further knock down of fire has meant that CAFS was not needed. Gas has been isolated. 3 jets and 1 ALP in use. 02:13 - Electricity not fully isolated, Western Power will re-attend tomorrow to isolate. Good progress being made 4 jets, 1 ALP in use. 🔴 Updated News Check out our aerial footage taken this morning. Sat 7/9/19 12:30 Fire fighters are still damping down this morning. The neighbouring Tesco petrol station are unable to dispense fuel due to the on going risk, the shop is open for retail goods. STOP - all hot spots extinguished, reinspection will take place Sunday morning where a full survey of the property will be carried out. Fire Investigation carried out and will resume on Monday 9th September. Pictures by Leicester Media Online © 2019 LM News #FireMarketHarborough #LFRS

Are you ready for a life changing career where you could really make a difference? From Monday (9 September) Leicestershire Police is looking for talented people from diverse backgrounds to join one of the best forces in the country as a police officer. Being a police officer will give you some of the best and proudest days of your life, from protecting the vulnerable to saving lives - it’s exciting, diverse and vitally important. If you enjoy facing challenges and solving problems and would like to contribute to keeping people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safe then policing could be for you. No two days are the same you'll get to learn new skills, meet new people and set out on a career path that could see you specialise as a firearms officer, dog handler, traffic officer, digital media investigator, detective or become the trusted, familiar face of neighbourhood policing. Between now and 2024, Leicestershire needs to recruit nearly 600 officers and the force is still waiting to hear how many of the 20,000 new officers recently announced by the Prime Minister will come to Leicestershire. Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM, said: “This is a really exciting time for police officer recruitment and I am confident we will attract a diverse group of people who will enjoy living and working in the wonderful place that is Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. As I enter my thirty first year in policing I am really proud to lead a force whose performance is judged by the HMICFRS to be good and to this day I still think policing is a really rewarding job. “It is really important that our workforce represents the communities we serve and I am particularly keen to attract applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, religion and experiences and I’d encourage everyone to consider a career that really does make a difference to people’s lives.” Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach said: “People consistently tell me that they want to see more police officers on the streets and in their neighbourhoods. In response I have lobbied long and hard to see more investment in policing to enable us to increase officer visibility and I welcome this campaign. “Policing remains a great career, offering a breadth of opportunity and support and this latest round of recruitment will enable us to have a workforce that is more representative of the communities it serves and I urge people from all backgrounds to consider applying. It could be the job you’ve been waiting for.” There are now four different routes into policing and as a result the force is looking for non-graduates, graduates and career changers. At Leicestershire Police there are currently two routes about to open; Initial Police Learning and Development Programme IPLDP (starting salary is £24, 177 applications can be submitted from Monday 9 September) This is open to everyone aged 18-57 with a level 3 qualification or equivalent; hold a full UK/EU valid manual driving licence and not have any serious convictions or recent cautions and have lived in the country for three years. Degree Holder Programme (DHEP) (starting salary is £24,177 with expressions of interest being accepted from Monday 9 September) If you have a degree in any subject you can join and follow a work-based programme, supported by off-the job learning. This route normally takes two years and the learning you have undergone is recognised with a graduate diploma in professional policing when you complete your probation. Sergeant Yusuf Nagdi, has been a police officer for 14 years. He said: “I am really proud to be a police officer and enjoy working with our communities helping the most vulnerable but I also get great satisfaction using my skills and training to catch offenders and see them brought to justice I would recommend being a police officer to everyone. We have a strong family ethos, where teams work closely together to get the job done and give the best possible service.” Everything you need to know about recruiting can be found on the Leicestershire Police website at www.leics.police.uk/joinus