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The most wonderful time of the year kicks off on Thursday 17 November with Leicester’s Christmas Lights Switch-On. The Town Hall and city’s streets will be illuminated with over 16,000 sparkling LED lights, and a spectacular 46-foot tree decorated with twinkling lights and baubles will take centre stage at the Clock Tower. There will be plenty to enjoy for all ages with traditional entertainment in Town Hall Square and catch a photo opportunity with festive friends. A countdown hosted by BBC Radio Leicester will be played out on speakers across the city at 6.30pm to switch-on the Christmas lights, so you can see the streets come alight wherever you are! We hope the kids have remembered all those Christmas cracker jokes because Green Dragon Square will be hosted by The UK Kid’s Comedy Festival with their pop-up Joke Spot A chance for young ones to jump on the mic and tell their best festive gags! During the evening there will be food, films in Green Dragon Square and music whilst costume characters and live entertainment roam the streets.

Officers are appealing for public help in locating jewellery which was stolen during a burglary at a home in Leicester. Sometime between 10.30am and 10pm on Saturday 15 October a house in Broadway Road was broken into and a number of items of Asian gold jewellery was stolen. The jewellery is distinctive and if anyone recognises the items pictured they are asked to get in touch. We would also urge pawnbrokers or jewellers to contact us if they have been approached by someone trying to sell similar jewellery. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 2131 Jamie Anderson on 101 or via www.leics.police.uk, quoting crime number 22*603161.

Officers investigating a burglary are looking for information and to trace the stolen items. A large amount of jewellery was taken from an address in New Parks Boulevard, Leicester, sometime between 6.30pm on Monday 24 October and 3am on Tuesday 25 October. Some of the pieces stolen are pictured below: Detective Constable Sally Harrold, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to speak to anyone who recognises any of the jewellery – have you been it for sale or maybe even been sold items that appear similar? “Also, I am keen to speak to anyone who may have information regarding the burglary itself. Were you in the area at the time the incident occurred? Please cast your mind back – did you notice anyone acting in an unusual or suspicious way? “Any information you’re able to provide could help with my enquiries.” Anyone with information can report online or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 22*622554.

The main annual Remembrance Day service will take place at Victoria Park, on Sunday, November 13, giving people an opportunity to pay their respects to the nation’s fallen servicemen and women. This year’s service will return to almost its usual format with members of the public once more able to attend alongside invited guests and dignitaries for the first time since the pandemic. People attending need to be in place by 10.40am, ahead of the parade made up of members from the Armed Forces, veterans and cadets which will step off from De Montfort Hall at about 10.45am, moving along Centenary Walk to the Arch of Remembrance. The parade will be followed by the official wreath laying parties. The service will begin at 10.55am and will be led by Right Reverend Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, with support from Dave Andrews, a former BBC Radio broadcaster. It will include a customary two-minute silence at 11am, which will be heralded by a bugler sounding the Last Post. Salutes will be fired to mark the beginning and end of the silence – visitors are reminded that the salutes create a very loud bang which could alarm young children and pets. Official wreaths will be laid by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Murray Colville, and The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor George Cole, together with representatives from local emergency services, military units and faith representatives. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to lay wreaths at the end of the service. Limited public seating is available on a first come first served basis, along with designated seating for anyone with a disability or who is unable to stand for long periods. Watch our video from 2022 To complete the service, a returning parade will step off through the Arch of Remembrance and back onto Centenary Walk, returning to the front of De Montfort Hall. The events mean that the Granville Road car park will be closed from midnight on Saturday until around 1pm on the Sunday, with only a very limited number of spaces for disabled and blue badge holders available at the top end of the car park. These need to be booked in advance by emailing lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk or calling 0116 454 0020. Both Granville Road and Regent Road will be closed to traffic from 9.30am around 12.15pm, will access allowed for residents on Salisbury Road. Leicester Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole said: “Once more people from across the city and beyond will be taking a moment to honour those who have given their lives in armed conflict and to reflect upon their sacrifice. “Sadly, world events show that the kind of military aggression which has cost so many lives over the years is still in evidence today. “It is an honour to be involved in laying a wreath on behalf of the people of Leicester, as we give thanks to those who have paid the ultimate price trying to secure the peace and stability which we all too often take for granted.” For the first time this year, Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, will also join members of the local Sikh community before the main Remembrance Day service, to lay a wreath at a newly-installed statue of a Sikh soldier in Victoria Park. They will assemble on Peace Walk at 9.30am before walking to the statue which commemorates the significant contribution of Sikh servicemen of the British Indian Army during the First World War.

Leicester City Council has announced that proposals to introduce a workplace parking levy (WPL) in Leicester in 2023 will not be developed. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke says the current political and economic circumstances make it impossible to proceed with the levy, although the council’s long-term commitment to improve public transport in the city remains the same. “We made a commitment in 2019 to consult on a levy in Leicester, and at that time we could not foresee the political uncertainty and dire economic situation the country is facing today. We have concluded that we cannot implement a WPL during this ongoing national cost of living crisis, which is causing such uncertainty and concern for so many people and businesses in our city. “The consequence of this of course is that we won’t have the funding needed to radically improve public transport for so many of our residents, which would in turn help to tackle the climate emergency. In truth, simply maintaining the current levels of service will be a huge challenge.” The workplace parking levy consultation was carried out in the spring and generated more than 4,000 written responses. Cllr Clarke said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. We also met with many local business, school, NHS and trades union leaders, to listen to the views of those they employ or represent, and we are grateful for their input. “I am particularly grateful for the input from transport and environmental campaigners and want to reassure them that we will continue to focus on cleaning the air and reducing Leicester’s carbon footprint.” The consultation findings will be available at: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/sec/wpl Transport improvements made in Leicester over the last few years include the formation of the Leicester Buses Partnership, and the expansion of the city’s fleet of all-electric buses with more than 100 new vehicles set to be on the roads in the next two years. There has also been investment in the country’s first net zero carbon bus station at St Margaret’s; the development of new bus priority corridors linking the city centre to local neighbourhoods; and the expansion of the city’s network of safe and attractive routes for pedestrians and people on bikes. Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We have made enormous improvements in Leicester in recent years thanks to successful bids for funding that we have had to compete for against other local authorities. However, our long-term aims require significant and reliable ongoing funding that is not currently available. “We can only hope that before too long there will be a Government in place that will have the vision to transform public transport in this country, and will provide the funds to do it. “As it stands, severe Government spending restrictions already in place mean we have a shortfall in our budget of many tens of millions, and it’s likely the Chancellor will announce further cuts to public services in November. This means we will be taking difficult decisions on all council services including transport over the next few months.” “In the meantime we need to continue to raise funding to support our existing public transport facilities, tackle the climate emergency and carry out improvements where we can, and that is why we are taking the decision today to increase our car parking charges for the first time in eight years. “We also need to look at how we can increase passenger numbers and reduce the large subsidies being given to some bus services, including park and ride, which have been severely affected by the pandemic.” Leicester City Council News - Published on Monday, November 7, 2022

An independent review into the cause of recent violent disorder in East Leicester will be led by Dr Chris Allen, Associate Professor in Hate Studies at the University of Leicester. Dr Allen will be supported by experts in social research from the University of Leicester and De Montfort University. Leicester’s City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby has commissioned the review and it is expected that the findings will be published early in 2023. Sir Peter said: “Dr Allen and his colleagues have a wealth of experience in conducting research into hate crime, and also have a thorough knowledge of our city and the community cohesion we have enjoyed here for many decades. “There are many theories circulating as to what led to the recent disorder – the like of which has never been seen here before. It’s important that we get to the facts as quickly and efficiently as possible so that we can all take whatever action is necessary to ensure we never see it again.” Dr Allen said: “In leading the review, I will draw on more than two decades of research expertise to try and better understand what caused the disturbances and why they happened when they did. Far from trying to apportion blame, the learning gathered will instead provide a meaningful starting point, from which we can all work towards rebuilding the good relations that have been a defining feature of Leicester for the past few decades”. Dr Allen and his team have been asked to produce an informed summary of what happened leading up to, and during the period of the disorder, and to establish any real or perceived contributory factors that lay behind it. They’ve also been asked to provide an assessment of ongoing and future risks around community tensions and mitigations that could be put in place; and recommendations for actions that could be taken by the council, other public bodies and the community. The review aims to support the development of a national blueprint for other cities to help with community cohesion in the face of rapidly moving national and international social and political influence. It’s expected that the review team will talk to a wide range of people as part of their evidence gathering. This will include local residents and business owners; elected councillors; and representatives of public bodies such as schools, colleges, health services and the police. Areas of interest likely to be examined are the role different agencies play in promoting community relations; and how local communities and wider society can come together to promote community cohesion in Leicester. The full terms of reference for the review are available on the council's website here: https://bit.ly/3TFHPzp

Almost 3,000 runners will be taking to the city’s streets this weekend as part of the annual Leicester Half Marathon and 10k race. The events will take place on Sunday, October 30, starting and finishing at Leicester’s Victoria Park. Runners will set out from the park from 9.15am, on a route through the city and Melton Road, into Thurmaston and Birstall, before returning to the starting point. It means a series of rolling road closures will be in place to enable the runners to pass safely. The route includes London Road city-bound, St George’s Way, Charles Street, Belgrave Gate and out of the city centre, through Melton Road and out towards Thurmaston, Watermead Country Park and Birstall, before the race returns via Red Hill Circle and parts of Loughborough Road and Thurcaston Road, and then joins the riverside path. From there the route will return to the city via Abbey Park footpath, St Margaret’s Way and the city centre, before continuing up New Walk via De Montfort Street and University Road on its way to the finish at Victoria Park. The 10k race will follow the same route as far as Melton Road, before travelling along Loughborough Road, Holden Street and Ross Walk to re-join the riverside path, past the Space Centre and Abbey Park on its way back to the city. Parking and loading restrictions will be in place to keep the route free of traffic, and temporary road closures will be in place while the race passes through. The measures have been signposted along the route in advance. Roads are expected to have reopened fully by 1pm. The race is a hugely popular event, attracting runners ranging from enthusiastic amateurs to club athletes, all raising money for a range of charities including Leicester’s LOROS Hospice. Race director, Andrew Ward, said, “We do our absolute best to make sure that all local residents are made aware of the event beforehand and would encourage everyone to come out and support what is such a fantastic event for the whole city. “We can’t wait to see everyone lining the streets again for this year’s Half Marathon, and of course the new 10k event. It’s such a great atmosphere on the day and ultimately raises thousands of pounds for LOROS Hospice and other local charities.” Bus services from the city centre will be running as normal but some will be diverted to alternative bus stops nearby while the race is in progress, with any changes clearly signposted. Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, added: “The Leicester Half Marathon is a long-standing fixture on the city’s sporting calendar, raising money for local good causes. “The nature of the event means we have to put temporary traffic restrictions in place to enable it to take place safely, so I’d advise drivers to bear this in mind if coming into the city on that day and if necessary to consider using an alternative route.” Full details of roads affected can be found on the Leicester Marathon website at leicestermarathon.org.uk/road-closures or by contacting the organisers directly at leicestermarathon@gmail.com Traffic and travel updates are available from Area Traffic Control via @ATCLeicester Leicester City Council News

Leicester City Council has outlined plans to tackle traffic congestion and improve air quality, road safety and reliability of bus services at three key junctions using new enforcement powers. Yellow box junctions near St Margaret’s Bus Station regularly become blocked by motorists who break the law by entering the boxes without being able to exit, causing gridlock, disrupting bus services and blocking emergency vehicles using the routes. The city council is proposing applying to the Department for Transport for permission to use camera enforcement at three sites, using legislation that allows councils to deal with so-called moving traffic offences. Sites include the junction of Abbey Street and Gravel Street, the junction of Vaughan Way and Causeway Lane, and the merge on Vaughan Way from Southgates Underpass (clockwise) with the Vaughan Way slip road from St Nicholas Circle. The problems have been identified as part of work with the newly-formed Leicester Bus Partnership, which was launched this spring to bring together local bus operators and the city council to improve services. A public consultation is now being launched to give people a say on the proposals. It runs until December 9 and people can go online to find out more about the proposals, to ask questions and to give their views. Currently, the police are responsible for enforcing moving traffic offences, but the Government has introduced legislation to allow councils to enforce against specific banned traffic manoeuvres, with the police’s support. The city council already carries out civil enforcement for parking contraventions and is therefore also allowed under the new legislation to undertake moving traffic enforcement. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, councils can apply to the Government to take on the responsibility for traffic offences, by applying for a Designation Order. This gives councils powers to enforce areas such as box junctions, one-way streets, no entry signs or other prohibited traffic movements, along with bus lanes, cycle lanes and pedestrian zones for example. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on transport, clean air and climate emergency, said: “These powers would be new to Leicester and local authorities outside London but have been available in the capital for many years and are used effectively to the benefit of all road users. “We’ve looked closely at the road layouts at these three sites, which are busy parts of the city centre road network. The yellow box junctions in place are there to stop motorists from entering the junction unless their exit is clear, as set out in the Highway Code. “However, it doesn’t take too many people ignoring that to cause significant traffic disruption, blocking access to and from the bus station and preventing emergency vehicles from getting through. “Applying to the Government for camera enforcement powers at these junctions means we will be able to take responsibility for ensuring traffic flows efficiently and safely.” The city council has until January 2023 to submit an application to the Government. Should the application be approved, camera enforcement could come into effect at the three box junctions from late summer 2023. To take part in the consultation visit: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk

Police reaffirm support for Remembrance Sunday parades Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has received support from his Police and Crime Panel over plans to adopt a fresh approach to policing Remembrance parades across the two counties. Leicestershire Police had previously carried out a review of police attendance at Remembrance Sunday events in 2017 and earlier this year Rupert Matthews requested further clarification after concerns had been raised with him regarding confusion over the role of the police at these commemorations. The Force held discussions with all local MPs, the Royal British Legion, Local Resilience Forum and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) and has now set out new guidelines outlining the role officers and the Force will play in policing future Remembrance services. In a report presented to the PCC's Police and Crime Panel, the Force said it would continue to support services to pay respects and honour the fallen but set out changes to its approach in line with Authorised Professional Practice (APP) which ensures every deployment represents the best value and use of resources. The new approach means: There will be a visible police presence at most parades to engage with the community and maintain public safety. A risk assessment will be carried out for every parade. The Local Authority and event organisers will take primacy for traffic control. While Leicestershire Police will remain responsible for the enforcement of any authorised Traffic Orders in the event of a breach, Police Officers and PCSOs will not be routinely involved in traffic control unless a situation occurs which places the public at risk. A threat assessment will be obtained and a dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Coordinator (CT SecCo) appointed to produce a plan as part of Remembrance Sunday planning. The coordinator will attend de-briefs, pre-meets and site visits ahead of events to discuss security. A dedicated silver commander and supporting events structure will be identified and put in place for Remembrance Sunday. Remembrance events will be discussed at the quarterly Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings for both the City and the Counties. The Force will continue to actively encourage and support officers and staff to attend Remembrance Sunday events as representatives of the Force to pay their respects. Mr Matthews said: "I am pleased the Police and Crime Panel supports this new guidance which reaffirms the Force's support for Remembrance Sunday services and clarifies its responsibilities. "Remembrance Sunday is a hugely important commemorative event bringing communities together to ensure those who lost their lives in battle are justly remembered and honoured. However, the responsibilities and demands of modern policing are growing and resources continue to be stretched during these austere times. It is helpful that the Force has considered carefully its duties during these public events to manage expectations and ensure that support is managed in the best possible way to protect the public and utilise officer time and resources in the most effective way possible."

Preparations are now well under way for Leicester’s annual Diwali Day celebrations on Monday (24 October). Belgrave Road will once again be the focus for the Diwali Day event, with the Diwali Village and its children’s fairground rides and food stalls returning to Cossington Street recreation ground from 3pm. There’ll be live music and dancing on the Belgrave Road stage from 6pm, with a programme put together by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, while the Wheel of Light – a giant illuminated ferris wheel – will offer a bird’s eye view of the colourful lights and the celebrations below. A special attraction for Diwali Day this year is ‘Dundu’ – a giant illuminated puppet who will mingle with the crowds. Fireworks will round off the Diwali Day celebrations at around 8.10pm, with an aerial display producing layers of spectacular colour and sound, exploding hundreds of feet above the Belgrave Road. Leicester’s deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Diwali is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the festival of light and to enjoy time with family and friends – and everyone is welcome to join the celebrations. “I hope that everyone who visits Belgrave Road on Monday enjoys the lights, the fireworks and some delicious food and I’d like to wish you all a very happy Diwali.” This year’s Diwali celebrations are supported by the University of Leicester. The Diwali Day event will require road closures in the area. Belgrave Road, and the junctions with its side roads, will be fully closed to traffic from 5pm until around 9.30pm on Monday. In order to maintain clear routes for emergency vehicles through the Belgrave area, parking will be suspended on a number of streets in the area from 6am until 10pm on Monday 24 October. ‘No waiting’ cones will be laid out on Loughborough Road, Holden Street, Ross Walk, Macdonald Road, Hildyard Road, Marjorie Street, Abbey Park Street, Harrison Road, Surrey Street, Doncaster Road, Cossington Street, Rothley Street, Rendell Road and Portsmouth Road. Any vehicles parked on these roads between 6am and 10pm on Monday, and any vehicle causing an obstruction on any road in the Belgrave area, will be ticketed and towed away. People are strongly advised to join Monday’s celebrations on foot, by bike or by public transport. A special Diwali park & ride service will be running on Monday, with buses leaving the Birstall Park & Ride site – located at LE4 4NN – from 4pm until 10pm (no service between 7pm and 8pm). Passengers will be dropped off, and picked up, on Belgrave Road, close to Lower Willow Street. A return journey for a group of up to five people in one car costs just £6, with the last bus to the Birstall Park & Ride site leaving Belgrave Road at 10pm on Monday. More details and a downloadable Diwali Guide are available at visitleicester.info/diwali

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault following a report of a fight in Melton Road, Leicester, during the early hours of yesterday morning (Saturday). Officers were called just after 1am to the incident near Lancashire Street. A group, involving around 20 people, were reported to be in the area arguing. Officers were informed that some of the people were in possession of weapons including a knife. Two people were injured in the incident. Thankfully their injuries are not reported to be serious. An investigation remains ongoing into the report. Two men, aged 26 and 24, both of Leicester, have been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident. The 26-year-old man has since been released on police bail. The 24-year-old man has been released under investigation. Enquiries remain ongoing. Speaking yesterday, Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “A full investigation is ongoing into this report to establish the full circumstances. It is important to inform you that, from our enquiries, we can confirm at this stage this incident is not being linked to the disorder which we have previously seen in the East Leicester area. It is important we share this with you to prevent misinformation being shared. “However, this does not mean that we are treating this incident any differently and a team of officers are currently carrying out full enquiries including making contact with the victims and witnesses, checking CCTV and gathering evidence. “Please be reassured that our investigative work does continue and that our high-visibility police patrols in the area also remain in place. “Thank you as always for your ongoing support. In recent weeks, we have seen calm in the area and I urge for this to carry on. Please continue to work with us, to report any concerns or incidents to us and to ensure that only information which is known to be true is being shared including on social media.” Please report any concerns or incidents to police online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Leicestershire Police has dismantled two county lines in Coalville and Loughborough during County Lines Intensification Week (CLIW). During the national week of action, which ran from Monday 3 October to Sunday 9 October, officers also; Arrested 52 people Executed 30 search warrants Safeguarded 43 vulnerable children/adults Presented a county lines online workshop to 6,834 children and 337 professionals who work with young people Ran 2 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations stopping 20 vehicles and arresting 6 people Seized £16,000 in cash Visited 10 people known to the police to carry knives Recovered significant quantities of drugs including 346 wraps of Crack, a further £12,000 of Crack and 258 Cannabis plants 10 weapons were recovered including a cross bow, a machete and a samurai sword County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups from cities exploit young people from smaller towns and rural areas into moving and supplying drugs. The ‘county line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. This can have significant consequences for communities and vulnerable people whilst also increasing crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. During County Lines Intensification week last week, 30 warrants were executed including four simultaneous warrants in South Leicester, Leicester, Derbyshire and London which led to the dismantling of a line that was operating in Coalville. Four people were arrested, three of whom were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and remanded to prison. One stop check during the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation led to two men being arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Following further intelligence work, a phone was seized effectively shutting down a line in Loughborough. County Lines Intensification Week (CLIW) is not just about enforcement however. It’s also about educating young people about the dangers of county lines and helping trusted adults recognise the signs that someone is being criminally exploited. During the week, the force’s Children and Young Persons Officer, Katie Hudson, delivered a total of 26 workshops to students and professionals in secondary schools and further educational establishments. A total of 7,201 people attended the workshops, of which 337 were teachers and 6,864 young people prompting the teacher at one school to write: “What a fantastic and informative session which was well received by staff and students alike. The content was excellent, with discussion points built into the presentation. The school would attend future workshops and recommend to colleagues.” As well as educating young people and disrupting the supply lines, the force works with local organisations to get help for those who want it. Forty-three people, adults and young people, were identified as needing safeguarding. The Exploitation Team and Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub provide expert advice regarding those at risk, providing bespoke action plans and engagement. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski from the Force Intelligence Bureau said: “To execute thirty search warrants across the force area when we have had so many competing demands recently is testament to the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our staff and officers across many teams and partner organisations. “The force has faced unprecedented demands on its resources from the patrols in East Leicester following the recent disorder; the football match between Leicester City Football Club and Nottingham Forest; the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and a large fire at a nightclub in Leicester but despite that the planning, coordination and enforcement continued and was delivered. “County Lines Intensification Week is over but our work is not. We will continue to listen to our communities, gather intelligence, protect and safeguard the vulnerable and bring offenders to justice. My thanks go to everyone involved in making Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland a safer place to live.” The force also ran an online social media campaign targeting both trusted adults on Facebook and young people on Snapchat and Instagram reaching nearly half a million people. Where to go for help and advice Would you know how to spot the signs and where to go for help and support? To find out more about county lines visit: www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines/ There is a new website specifically for young people to get help and advice on how to stay safe in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Making our community a safe place to live - LiveSafe