Join us for 3 events, all about the Mods scene here in Leicester Exhibitions Films and Festivals Mods: Shaping a Generation tells the story of the 1960’s Mod scene in Leicester and Nottingham and how they were connected, concentrating on the themes of social, financial and creative freedom via exclusive first-hand eye witness accounts and unpublished images. The exhibition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of The Who’s cult Mod film, Quadrophenia, and will include Roger K Burton’s original 1960’s clothing as seen in the film, along with original scooters and other ephemera. The exhibition also re-visits legendary hang-outs visited by the Leicester and Nottingham Mods including The Nite Owl, The Il Rondo and the Dungeon. An exhibition inspired by Mod culture made by young people in Leicester will run alongside the museum exhibition at Soft Touch Arts. A partnership with Soft Touch Arts and Arch Creative and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BID Leicester. Exhibition Dates: 13 Apr 2019 - 30 June 2019 Monday - Friday 11:00 - 16:30 Saturday Sunday 11:00 - 17:00 at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester Leicestershire, LE1 7EA FACEBOOK EVENT www.facebook.com/groups/305515786704245/ Mods 19:64 “Anybody who was a Mod will probably say the same thing, that it had an incredible effect on us all and it has stayed with us throughout our lives. The whole thing was about style; style in what you do, what you read and what you wore...” Terry Wilford 1964 was the year when Mods and Rockers fought on the beaches of southern England and Mod philosophy exploded unapologetically into UK mainstream culture. For many, life would never be the same again. Mods 19:64 is a stunning black and white photographic exhibition that captures Leicester and Nottingham Mods from that remarkable year as they are today in 2019 – 19:64. Hosted in the Spotlight Gallery at the LCB Depot, most of the images were taken outside iconic Mod related buildings in both cities such as the Dungeon nightclub in Nottingham and the Il Rondo in Leicester. Photographs by Joe Nixon (Arch Creative). Words by Shaun Knapp. 15th – 29th June 2019 Free admission Hosted in the Spotlight Gallery at the LCB Depot Rutland Street Leicester FACEBOOK EVENT www.facebook.com/events/373193193461400/ The Quadrophenia Experience with Roger K Burton & Alan Fletcher "One Saturday we were approached by a film art director who was looking for original 60s clothes for a forthcoming movie about Mods called Quadrophenia, which was backed by The Who. He wanted to know if we could supply them…" Roger Burton Join Roger K Burton and Alan Fletcher for a talk and Q&A on their lives as Mods in Leicester and Nottingham during the 1960s and their roles within the cult film, Quadrophenia. Newark author Alan Fletcher wrote The Mod Crop Trilogy, a trio of books based on his life as a Mod in Nottinghamshire during the 1960s. Alan also wrote Quadrophenia (the novel) and was a story consultant on Quadrophenia (the film). One of the most established and well-known costume designers in the UK today, Roger K Burton has worked in music videos, television, films and commercials since the late 1970s. With over 50 years' experience of collecting vintage street fashion, Roger supplied original clothing to the 1979 cult film Quadrophenia before establishing the Contemporary Wardrobe Collection which provides street fashion to TV and film. Tickets for the Q&A event £5, to book please contact the museum on 0116 225 4920. New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 6ZG Event Time: 13 Apr 2019 Saturday 14:00 - 15:30 FACEBOOK EVENT www.facebook.com/events/1328331393975318/ #ShapingAGeneration Click here for related stories

Mods: Shaping a Generation “If you weren’t a Mod, you were a Rocker. If you were neither of those, you were nothing…” We attended the opening of this Free exhibition at the New Walk museum and art gallery today. Mods: Shaping a Generation FREE Exhibition at New Walk Museum until 30th June It’s runs from Saturday 13th April until Sunday 30th June. Mods: Shaping a Generation tells the story of the 1960’s Mod scene in Leicester and Nottingham and how they were connected, concentrating on the themes of social, financial and creative freedom via exclusive first-hand eye witness accounts, archive material and unpublished images. Video By Leicester Media Pictures By Craig Thorpe for Leicester Media #ShapingAGeneration click here for related stories Find out more on this free event visit www.shapingageneration.co.uk

A man found to be in possession of a firearm, ammunition and more than £100,000 worth of class A drugs has been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. Liam Chambers, 27, pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm – a revolver – and to two counts of possession of ammunition when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday 21 February. He also admitted two counts of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, namely heroin and cocaine, including crack cocaine. The ammunition charges relate to firearm cartridges. Today (Friday 12 April), at the same court, Chambers, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. The items were found following a search of an address in Scraptoft, Leicestershire, in December 2017. A drugs expert witness estimated that the street value of the drugs found was around £101,000 to £103,000. A forensic scientist tested the firearm and found it functioned as expected. Following investigation including the items being sent for DNA and fingerprint analysis, Chambers was arrested. Officer in the case, Detective Constable Beverley Toon said: “This was a significant amount of class A drugs which was found in addition to a firearm and ammunition and I am pleased that Chambers has accepted responsibility. My thanks go to the investigation team who have worked hard on this case to see this result. “Illegal firearms are extremely dangerous and put lives at risk. The supply of drugs causes damage to both individuals and communities. We will continually work to remove both of these items from our streets and to prosecute those responsible for bringing them into the area. I urge anyone who has any information regarding a person being in possession of an illegal firearm or concerned in drug supply to report it to police immediately.” Source : Leicestershire Police For more information on County Lines, and how to spot the signs of it happening in your area, www.leics.police.uk/countylines

Police have been busy tackling the distribution of drugs in and around Leicester, A total of 27 warrants have been carried out this morning & yesterday, leading to 12 people being arrested. Operation Lionheart aims to crackdown on County Lines activity which involves drugs being moved in and out of Leicestershire. Twelve people have been arrested as part of a police operation targeting the sale and distribution of drugs. A total of 27 warrants have been carried out this morning (Wednesday 10 April) and yesterday, leading to 12 people being arrested. Four have subsequently been charged with drugs offences and one with a public order offence. Their arrests come after officers have spent significant time gathering information and evidence on people suspected of being involved in County Lines criminality. Gangs and organised crime groups involved in County Lines activity use either dedicated mobile phone lines or a person as a ‘deal line’ to supply drugs to other areas of the county, often small towns. They usually exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money and will use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. As part of Operation Lionheart officers are appealing for communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to report any County Lines activity they suspect is happening in their area. Chief Superintendent Adam Streets, head of Local Policing, said: “Drugs ruin lives and cause devastation to communities. We work closely with our partners and are committed to cracking down on those at the root of this type of criminality to ensure they are brought to justice, as well as safeguard anyone being exploited. “Communities can help us in our efforts by reporting any concerns about the suspected sale and distribution of drugs in their area, no matter how small it may seem. Any details you have could be the missing piece of information we need to take action against people suspected of being involved in County Lines criminality. “If you are unsure what to look for – there are a number of signs that indicate this type of activity is happening. We ask everyone to be aware of what they are so they can report it.” Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 225 of 2 April. For more information on County Lines, and how to spot the signs of it happening in your area, www.leics.police.uk/countylines Updated News 11/4/19 Operation Lionheart Results Total warrants = 33 Total arrests = 13 Total people charged = 11 Operation Lionheart - day 1 (Tuesday 9 April) A total of 10 people were arrested as part of Operation Lionheart, with five subsequently charged. Tanzin Suka, 29, of Ottawa Road, Leicester, was charged on Tuesday 9 April with conspiracy to supply class A drugs between 25 November 2018 and 7 March 2019. Elizabeth Nash, 42, of Burfield Street, Leicester, was charged on Tuesday 9 April with a section 5 public order offence. Laura Blake, 35, of Peel Drive, Loughborough, was charged on Tuesday 9 April with five counts of supplying class A drugs and permit use of premises for the supply of class A drugs. Bradley Barrett, 19, of Browning Road, Loughborough, was charged on Tuesday 9 April with three counts of supplying class A drugs, two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A and two counts of posession with intent to supply class A drugs. Dean Barham, 42, of Rowanberry Avenue, Leicester, was charged on Tuesday 9 April with six counts of supplying class A drugs, one count of offer to supply a class A drug, two counts of permitting the use of a premises for the supply of class A drugs. Operation Lionheart – day 2 (Wednesday 10 April), a total of three people were arrested and six number of people charged. Josh O’Neill, 23, of Millstone Lane, Syston, was arrested on Wednesday 10 April and charged with supply of class A drugs. Louis Howard, 29, of no fixed address, Leicester, was arrested on Tuesday 9 April and charged on Wednesday 10 April with four counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and two counts of possession of criminal property. Josh Gunn, 18, of Browning Road, Loughborough, arrested on Tuesday 9 April and charged on Wednesday 10 April with 12 counts of supplying a class A drug and two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. Dominic Hodges, 20, of Blake Drive, Loughborough, arrested on Tuesday 9 April and charged on Wednesday 10 April with 15 counts of supplying a class A drug. Byron Pratt, 18, of Limehurst Avenue, Loughborough, arrested on Tuesday 9 April and charged on Wednesday 10 April with three counts of supplying class A drugs. Tapiwa Chokufa, 24, of Peel Drive, Loughborough, arrested on Tuesday 9 April and charged on Wednesday 10 April with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs between 1 May 2018 and 1 March 2019. A 23-year-old man, from Leicester, was arrested on Wednesday 10 April on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and remains in police custody. A 16-year-old boy, from Leicester, was arrested Wednesday 10 April on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He remains in police custody. Operation Lionheart results – Thursday 11 April Total warrants = 57 Total arrests = 23 Total people charged = 13 Operation Lionheart – day 3 A total of 10 people were arrested as part of Operation Lionheart, with two people charged. Charges Musawenklosi Nyathi, 23, of Cherrybrook Close, Leicester, arrested Wednesday 10 April has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs between 1 May 2018 and 1 March 2019. A 16-year-old, from Leicester, who can’t be named for legal reasons and was arrested yesterday (10 April), has been charged with one count of supplying class A. Arrests A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. A 52-year-old man, from Leicester, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a shotgun without a certificate on 27 January 2019. A 41-year-old woman, from Leicester, has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. A 27-year-old Leicester man, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. A 20-year-old man, from Leicester, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. A 20-year-old Leicester man was arrested on suspicion of supplying a class A drug. A 15-year-old boy, from Leicester, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. A 23-year-old Leicester man was arrested on suspicion of burglary dwelling on 26 December 2018. A 42-year-old man, from Loughborough, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. A 44-year-old Loughborough man, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. Source :- Leicestershire Police #LeicestershirePolice #LeicesterPolice #Countylines #KnowTheSigns

Leicestershire Police have been running this Operation called Lionheart all week and it aims to crackdown on County Lines activity which involves drugs being moved in and out of Leicestershire. Operation Lionheart results – total from three days of activity Total warrants = 57 Total arrests = 24 Total people charged = 23 Operation Lionheart – update - Friday 12 April Ryan McGeechan, 20, of Brook Street, Shepshed, arrested yesterday (Thursday 11 April), has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug. All the below were arrested yesterday (Thursday 11 April) and have subsequently been charged A 17-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and one count of possession with intent to supply a class A drug. Christopher Abbot, 52, of Kelbrook Close, Leicester, has been charged with possession of a shotgun without a certificate on 27 January 2019. Laura Harley, 41, of Chestnut Road, Glenfield, has been charged with one count of supply of a class A drug. Zavesh Patel, 27, of Chestnut Road, Glenfield, has been charged for failing to appear at magistrates’ court in relation to a theft in January 2019. Andrew Manjengwa, 20, Samson Road, Leicester, was charged with 13 counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. A 15-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has been charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. Ackeem Lewis-Thorpe, 23, of Wycombe Road, Leicester, was charged with one count of burglary dwelling, one count of theft, one count of theft of a motor vehicle all on 26 December 2018 and converting criminal property. Mark Cheval, 42, of Seymour Close, Loughborough, was charged with five counts of supplying class A drugs. David Harker, 44, of Pevensey Road, Loughborough, was charged with six counts of supplying class A drugs. A 20-year-old Leicester man, arrested on suspicion of supplying a class A drug, has been released no further action. For more information on County Lines, and how to spot the signs of it happening in your area, www.leics.police.uk/countylines #LeicesterPolice #KnowTheSigns #CountyLines

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are excited to announce new dates for their On-Call firefighter ‘Have A Go’ days. Ahead of their next round of On-Call firefighter recruitment, several ‘Have A Go’ days will take place over the next few weeks. The ‘Have A Go’ days give people an insight into what an On-Call firefighter does and the required strength, fitness and aptitude levels needed. You will also find out how rewarding a career as an On-Call firefighter is. Rick Taylor, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “On-Call firefighters play a vital role at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service andk they help us provide the very best service to the local communities we serve. “We hope to encourage members of our local communities to come forward, find out more about being an On-Call firefighter and ultimately apply for a role. “This is a real opportunity for members of our local communities looking for a rewarding job where they are also giving something back to their local community.” On-Call firefighters play an important role to operational response. They carry an alerter and respond to emergency calls, where they face all kinds of challenges. It is a paid role and is dependent on your personal availability and the number of calls you respond to. If you are interested in becoming an On-Call firefighter, ‘Have A Go’ days are taking place at the following locations: Market Harborough Fire and Rescue Station, Saturday 13 April, 10:00 –15;00 Uppingham School Sports Centre (LE15 9SE), Sunday 14 April, 10:00 –15:00 Wigston Fire and Rescue Station, Sunday 28 April, 10:00 – 15:00 To attend one of the above events, visit leics-fire.gov.uk/on-call to book your place. If you are unable to attend the ‘Have A Go’ days, get in touch with your local On-Call fire and rescue station. You may be able to attend their weekly drill night, where you will find out more about the role and meet your potential future colleagues. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting On-Call firefighters at a number of On-Call stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland during May 2019. The recruitment website will open for applications for their On-Call Firefighter roles on Wednesday 1 May, and will close on Wednesday 29 May. There are a number of essential requirements you will need to meet in order to be considered for an On-Call firefighter role. These can be found by visiting leics-fire.gov.uk/on-call . (Please note that On-Call firefighters must live and/or work within a set travel time from their fire and rescue station. This can be discussed and agreed with the relevant managers for each fire and rescue station). email oncallinfo@lfrs.org . #LeicesterFireSevice #LFRS #HaveAGoDays

Saturday 15th September 2018 This truly rememberable event attracted hundreds of people yesterday at Jubilee square in Leicester, celebrating five decades of Asian life in Leicester. The history of the Asian life was told by pictures and film, and a Film which was made in Leicester “Jadoo“ about two rival brothers running restaurants on Belgrave Road was shown on the big screen. This was followed by colourful performances and dance, this was definitely a event to remember, and Truly shows how diverse our city is today. Event Pictures Pictures By Craig Thorpe Leicester Media (Pictures can be downloaded for free from our Facebook Page) www.facebook.com/leicestermediaonline Please like our page to tag and share Asian Life Festival Saturday 15th September Jubilee Square Leicester from 3pm to 9pm This festival celebrates 50 years of Asian life in our Great diverse city of a Leicester. Lots of Food, Arts and culture. Jubilee Square Leicester for BBC Radio Leicester’s Asian Life Festival, Celebrating Five decades of Asian life in Leicester through food, arts and culture, we’ll be looking at all aspects of the journey so far that has made Leicester the incredible city it is today. Food festival, an outdoor film screening and the audio-visual Stage Spectacular! 3-9pm Food Festival 5.30-7pm Jadoo Film 7-8pm BBC Radio Leicester’s dramatic Asian-Life Story show 8-9pm Sabras Radio musical extravaganza Hosted by BBC Radio Leicester #asianlifefestival #bbcleicester #radioleicester #artscouncilengland

Leicester City Council has completed on a traffic scheme which includes the 1,000th city street to be covered by a 20mph zone. Leicester City Council has brought in the new 20mph scheme around Medway School, Highfields, which came into effect on Monday, April 8. The scheme is the latest in a rolling city council programme of 20mph zones in residential areas, near schools and where requested by residents, which has been running since 2011. It was among schemes approved late last year which would have taken the total number of streets to more than 1,000. Currently 60 such schemes cover over 200km (125miles) of road in the city – nearly a quarter of the city’s road network. Further schemes are also due to come into effect over the coming months, including 94 streets covering 24km of road in Eyres Monsell, which is due to come into effect at the end of May 2019, and 53 streets covering about 12km of road near Montrose School in Aylestone this summer. The speed-reduction work is designed to help improve road safety on key routes in residential areas near to schools, and in turn to help encourage more people to walk or cycle to school. So far, over £1.3million has been invested or committed to city council-funded 20mph zones, as well as others funded by developers as part of local planning agreements. Currently, of 114 schools across the city, about two-thirds (67.5 percent) are either within a 20mph zone or being considered for inclusion in one in the near future. A number of future 20mph zones have also been identified but not yet included on the current programme of work. Department for Transport figures show that for every 1mph reduction in speed, the frequency of accidents drops by five per cent. Figures for the scheme covering Knighton Lane East show among the biggest drops in speed – average speeds have fallen from 26.2mph to 15.7mph since the introduction of road humps, speed cushions and a designated 20mph zone in 2017. Similarly, the scheme bringing speed cushions and a 20mph zone to Keyham Lane has reduced speeds from 26mph to 21mph. Leicester City Council’s director of City Highways, Martin Fletcher, said: “The roll out of 20mph zones has proved to be hugely popular, as is shown by the number of communities requesting them. “We’ve been listening to residents who have requested road safety measures, and working to address any particular road issues brought to our attention by ward councillors across the city. “The £1.3m investment we’ve made since 2011 on 20mph zones has helped to make residential streets across Leicester safer for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and everyone who lives in those communities. “In some cases, new schemes have been brought in to extend or join together previously-approved 20mph zones, while in other places, a range of new traffic-calming measures have helped cut vehicle speeds on routes around schools, improving safety for everyone.” Source :- Leicester City Council #SaferRoads #LeicesterCityCouncil

A man who distracted the occupants of a house allowing others to enter and threaten the victims has been jailed after pleading guilty. Jason Mumford, also known as Marley-Owen, 22, of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Monday 8 April) and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to six years in prison. The conviction relates to an incident in March 2018 when the occupants of a house in Archery Close, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, answered the door to Mumford. Mumford followed the occupant into the house and within a few seconds a group of up to six people also entered the property and threatened the victims with knives and axes. The group were wearing face coverings and assaulted the three occupants of the house before stealing items. Detective Constable Gemma Dempsey was the investigating officer. She said: “The victims weren’t seriously injured during the incident but were left very distressed by what had happened in their own home. “Incidents of this nature leave a lasting effect on the victims and in this case all the occupants were teenagers. I hope the guilty plea and significant sentence reassures the victims, and the local community. “Despite extensive enquiries in relation to the remaining suspects we were not able to identify them. However, if anyone has any information about who they may be we encourage you to come forward and contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” Source:- Leicestershire Police

Two Petrol stations raided in the early hours of this morning. Large quantity’s of cigarettes stolen. If you are offered any cheap UK duty-paid cigarettes then they are probably stolen. Police have launch Investigation into break-ins at two petrol stations, and are appealing for any information or witnesses. Detectives believe that two break-ins at petrol stations in Leicester this morning (Tuesday 9 April) could be linked. The first incident happened in Saffron Road shortly after 1am. Police were alerted when a monitored alarm at the premises was activated, while a call was also made from a member of the public. A group of men smashed a window and stole cigarettes before leaving the scene in a grey or silver hatchback car. The second incident happened in Melton Road at around 2.10am. A group of men were seen to smash a window and go into the petrol station before leaving in a grey or silver car. A quantity of cigarettes were stolen. Detective Sergeant Horatio Wright said: “From the information we have received so far, I believe that the two offences may be linked. “I would ask anyone who was in the area of either Saffron Road or Melton Road in the early hours of this morning to come forward if you saw anything suspicious. “In particular, I’d like taxi drivers or anyone who has dashcams installed in their vehicles to check for any footage that may have been recorded. Any information you have could help with our investigation.” No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting crime number 19000179401 (Saffron Road) or 19000179397 (Melton Road). #LeicesterPolice #Stolencigarettes

Leicestershire officers have completed a week-long operation to target those carrying weapons and engaged with hundreds of people. 📷 Picture by Leicester Media ©2019 Operation Sceptre, which started on March 11, was part of national activity designed to deter and detect the carrying of knives and saw 20 arrests. Officers carried out 24 stop and searches which, along with arrests, recovered 15 knives while surrender bins at Keyham Lane, Spinney Hill, Market Harborough and Mansfield House police stations saw nearly 50 knives handed in. Officers conducted knife sweeps across the city and county, recovering two from Redwood Walk in Leicester. Knife arches at various locations including Leicester and Loughborough train stations along with Bede Park in Spinney Hill and Aikman Avenue, New Parks, Leicester, saw hundreds of people pass through them. Video by Leicester Media Demonstration of detection Arch in New Parks In addition, officers visited 22 Habitual Knife Carriers (HKCs) over the week to talk to them about changing their behaviour and offer them diversion opportunities and information to parents. They also delivered a number of presentations to primary and secondary school children on top of those given by the Youth Services throughout the week. Alongside this, officers also executed five warrants in South Leicester and one in West Leicester neighbourhood policing areas on Friday 15 March, which recovered some imitation firearms and drugs. One 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of modern day slavery and public order offences as well as burglary. He has been released under investigation. Sergeant Nick Woodrow, knife crime coordinator for Leicestershire Police, helped lead the operation. He said: “Operation Sceptre forms just one part of our on-going work to detect and prevent knife crime and ultimately reduce the number of people choosing to carry a knife. Officers successfully recovered a number of weapons through their hard work. “Our aim, as always, is to ensure our streets remain safe. This week of intensification is just one element of what we do along with our partners and I’m pleased that our visits to those we consider to be habitual knife carriers, has resulted in at least one referral to a local peer education scheme.” Superintendent Shane O’Neill, who leads the force’s response to knife crime, said: “We believe that a partnership approach is the best way to reduce knife crime. We will continue to use our powers of arrest alongside educating people to stop carrying a knife as part of the force’s #LivesNotKnives campaign which is supported by many. Of the hundreds of people we engaged with throughout this operation, only a small proportion were found to be carrying a knife and we are dedicated to tackling those who do. “It is vital that anyone who has concerns about an individual carrying a weapon knows that advice is available on our website and that there are trusted adults they can talk to.” Lord Willy Bach added: “The work to tackle knife crime does not stop at the end of a week of action. Every day and using a multitude of approaches, the police and partners do everything they can to apprehend those carrying knives, to educate people that carrying a knife is not clever, or safe. They seek to arrest those who have used knives to cause harm and they provide support to those unfortunate enough to become victims of knife crime. “Last week I revealed the projects who have been awarded money from my £100,000 knife crime fund. I have every confidence that they will make a real difference, just as Operation Sceptre has made a real difference. But there is more to be done. As this week has proved, the will is there but we need appropriate resources to support the many effective initiatives out there, which are suffering from the funding cuts of recent years.” For information on knife crime visit Leicestershire Police pages here Read more related posts from Leicester Media click here #LivesNotKnives #LeicesterPolice

Breck's Last Game has now been viewed more than three-quarters of a million times since it was launched online on Wednesday (3 April). That number is rising fast. Trigger Warning - grooming, coercive behaviour + violence. The four-minute film which tells the tragic story of 14-year-old Breck Bednar, who was murdered by a man he met online, has generated scores of positive comments and conversation online. The film is the result of a collaboration between Leicestershire Police and three other police forces and has been made with the active support of Breck’s mother Lorin LaFave, who appears in the film as herself. The project started when Leicestershire Police was approached by Lorin, who runs the Breck Foundation in memory of her son, about the potential to make a film that would help protect children from online dangers. Lorin said: “We are pleased the public are now able to easily access Breck’s Last Game. It’s so encouraging to see from the views, comments and shares that parents and young people are having open and engaging discussions about their own online friends and behaviours and to ask themselves the important question, ‘do I really know who my online friends are?’ “. One parent has spoken online about the impact the film had for her when she watched it this morning. She said: "As the parent of a 14-year-old son, this film had particular resonance. It's hard-hitting but is so cleverly made that children and parents alike will take notice. “Like most boys of his age, my son loves online gaming with his friends but literally anybody could join their group. I have watched the film with him and it really helped start a conversation. My son took notice. Thank you for making this film.” Last year Breck’s Last Game was made available to schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, along with a comprehensive resource pack. By the end of this school year, 27,500 across LLR are predicted to have seen the film in their schools. Visit the Police website Breck’s Last Game section. Source : Leicestershire Police #LeicesterPolice