A large Police presence including forensic officer's, several ambulances, and the fire service were seen in Ashby-de-la-Zouch last night Friday, June 5. A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: Police received a call at 8.41pm last night (Friday 5 June) from East Midlands Ambulance Service. The call was regarding their attendance at an address in Nottingham Road, Ashby following a concern for welfare report. A woman in her sixties was found at the address and taken to hospital. Her condition is described as stable and not life threatening. Officers attended the address and remain at the scene while enquiries continue to be carried out. Picture by Leicester Media

People in Leicester have until 12 June to give their views on proposals that could help reduce antisocial behaviour in a number of neighbourhoods around the city centre. Since April 2025, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has given the city council and the police powers to take swift enforcement action against anyone causing a nuisance in the city centre. Those in breach of the order can face fines of up to £100, rising to £1,000, if prosecution leads to conviction. While fines are only issued when engagement, support and education have failed, the threat of a fine combined with a team of highly visible enforcement officers has led to significant improvements in the city centre over the last 12 months. Now the City Mayor would like to use the same legislation to tackle antisocial behaviour in neighbourhoods where a minority of individuals are spoiling the area for the people who live there. Using data that highlights the frequency and intensity of reported incidents of antisocial behaviour, the city council has identified an area that wraps around the city centre towards the west, the north and the east, where nuisance behaviour is much more prevalent than in other parts of the city. Taking in neighbourhoods such as Westcotes, Frog Island, Belgrave, Spinney Hills, Rushey Mead, Newfoundpool and Highfields, the proposed Zone 2 covers around 14% of the city’s total area – yet experiences more than 30% of the reported incidents of antisocial behaviour. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen significant improvements in the city centre, with the PSPO empowering us to tackle a whole range of nuisance behaviours – from amplified music to the inconsiderate use of e-bikes and scooters,” said City Mayor Peter Soulsby. “Now I’d like to use those same powers to target our resources at the neighbourhoods around the city centre where the highest number of incidents of antisocial behaviour are reported. “Whether it’s drug-related activity, alcohol-fuelled disorder or the inconsiderate use of fireworks, these behaviours can adversely affect people’s enjoyment of their local streets and spaces – and I’m determined to use all the tools at my disposal to deal with those who spoil Leicester’s neighbourhoods for everyone else.” The proposed PSPO for Zone 2 would prohibit a range of evident, persistent behaviours that lead to frequent complaints – and have a negative impact on local communities. These include antisocial behaviour related to the use of alcohol, drugs and psychoactive substances; spitting substances, such as chewing gum and paan; loitering, that causes harassment, alarm or distress; and the use of fireworks in public spaces. The City Mayor is now encouraging people to have their say on the proposals for PSPO Zone 2 by taking part in an online consultation. “Through this consultation, we’re asking residents and businesses to share their views on the issues we need to address, with the powers that a Public Spaces Protection Order would give us,” he said. “By tackling some of the persistent issues that have such a negative impact on our streets and spaces, we want to ensure that local neighbourhoods are safe, attractive and welcoming places for the people and families who live there.” People can find the consultation, and further information about the proposals, at consultations.leicester.gov.uk The online consultation is now open and runs for six weeks, closing at 23:59 on Friday 12 June. Public Spaces Protection Orders were introduced by the government as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 and can be used by councils to target a range of issues in a defined public area. Once adopted, each PSPO is valid for three years. Depending on feedback from the consultation exercise, Leicester’s second PSPO could be in place as early as September.

Families heading to Leicester for outdoor fun, live music and great street food at this weekend’s Riverside Festival can add an interactive Roman adventure to their list of things to do. As part of this year’s event, the city’s Jewry Wall Museum – a short walk from the festival site in Castle Gardens – will be hosting lots of Roman-inspired family activities on both Saturday (6 June) and Sunday (7 June). For each day of the Riverside Festival, a day pass to Jewry Wall will be just £10 for adults and £5 for children, with a wide range of special activities taking place to help bring Leicester’s Roman past to life. With the help of living history group The Longthorpe Legion and the Friends of Jewry Wall, the Romans’ 350-year occupation of Leicester will be illustrated with artefacts, armour and archaeology – and even a display of Roman food. There will be replica helmets and swords, recreated with the materials and designs used by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, and detailed battle dioramas, showing the legendary organisation, discipline and tactics of the Roman Army. A table of finds will give visitors the chance to handle genuine Roman archaeology, including coins, jewellery and a rare Roman soldier’s bronze discharge certificate. Families can also take part in a Roman trail, while discovering the fascinating exhibits in the museum, which reopened last year following major refurbishment. A Roman Adventure at Jewry Wall takes place on Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June. The reduced rate admission tickets are only available in person on the day. Visitors should ask for the ‘Riverside Festival special offer’ on arrival. Jewry Wall Museum is on St Nicholas Circle and is open seven days a week. Admission charges apply. For more information, visit jewrywall.com Leicester City Council News - Published on Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Planned action taking place 8-12th June Leicestershire County Council has said it’s disappointed staff are striking over changes designed to ensure children with additional needs receive the right support all year round. Plans to make changes to the early years SEND team reflect rises in demand for support and would make sure the vital service also operates 52-weeks a year. The council is working to keep any disruption to a minimum and will keep families informed. The National Education Union is taking industrial action from 8 to 12 June. A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “This is about making sure our most vulnerable children and families receive consistent, year round support. “Modernising the service will ensure we can support children with additional needs to access wraparound and holiday care which is not currently available, and we’re following the correct, legal process required to do this. To be clear, this is not ‘fire and rehire’. “We value the professionalism of our staff and have worked closely with trade union representatives for a number of months to try to reach an agreement. “We’re disappointed that we’ve reached the point of strike action and want to reassure parents that we will keep them informed and do our best to keep any disruption to a minimum.” The early years SEND team supports children with physical, sensory, behavioural and learning disabilities to ensure they receive high quality support, both at home and within nurseries, playgroups and out of school childcare settings. The strike action relates to changes to advisors within the team. We’re not expecting a big impact on service delivery from the strike action as the staff do not directly deliver childcare. There are no plans to reduce the number of Early Years SEND and Inclusion Advisors who play an important role working with some of our youngest, most vulnerable children.

Councillor Dan Harrison, Leader of Leicestershire County Council writes: This Volunteers’ Week, I want to offer my sincere thanks to Leicestershire County Council’s volunteers. Amazingly there are over 1,300 of you. You give your time, energy, compassion and commitment and make a genuine difference to people’s lives. Many of you offer hands on practical support – such as laying hedges in our country parks, keeping our heritage alive through our museums and libraries or helping out in emergencies such as flooding. Others provide a listening ear or give up your time to support our young people – family hub volunteers or independent visitors for the children in our care, for example. You’re all unsung heroes. I am sure the people you support would agree that our volunteers are invaluable. I also want to say a big thank you to our council staff and community groups. Behind every successful effort is the encouragement, organisation and care of people who support our volunteers. That support is critical and helps volunteering to thrive. So during Volunteers’ Week, I want to say thank you. Your generosity and dedication mean a great deal to all of us.

A community workshop designed to combat social isolation and improve mental health is transforming lives thanks to a helping hand from Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews. The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland PCC provided funding to New Parks Men’s Shed and Community Garden for a new weatherproof storage area to enable outdoor activities to continue throughout the winter months in addition to a minor upgrade of facilities. The project brings together men to socialise, share skills and work on hands-on craft projects in a relaxed environment where they can connect to other people in their communities and make friends. Members engage in woodworking, metal work, electronics, gardening and community restoration projects, developing new skills and sometimes selling what they have made to raise vital funds for the project. The facility, which also welcomes adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), provides a social space for tea and conversation to improve mental health and wellbeing. Members become part of a supportive community and are given job titles and praise to boost confidence, increase their self-esteem and reduce feelings of anxiety. Previously, members have made benches, raised planters, a pond, insect sanctuary, shelving units, raised planters and a summer house. Volunteers are also trained in mental health first aid and provide an open ear and signposting to help for those struggling with loneliness, isolation, or personal worries. This is in line with Rupert Matthews’ focus on tackling the root causes of crime through early intervention and supporting local initiatives that stop issues from getting worse. The approach is about working with communities, giving residents a voice in what happens in their neighbourhoods, and joining up with partners to deal with problems in a practical, common-sense way — with more emphasis on preventing issues than reacting to them later. Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Oliver Bryan said: “This facility has become a real hub for members — a friendly place to meet up, make friends and try something new, all while feeling part of a great group. “It’s a simple idea that makes a big difference, helping to boost wellbeing and ease loneliness, especially for men who might otherwise feel a bit isolated. “Even through the colder months, the group has kept the momentum going, which says a lot about how much it’s valued. We’re really pleased to have supported the new storage area so everything can carry on running smoothly all year round.” Men’s Shed is a globally recognised format and there are now thousands of similar facilities across the world, each helping to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. In New Parks, the project has become a focal part of community life, with volunteers working alongside other charities and partners to build resilience and strength and help people thrive. Picture Shows (L-R):Justin Moulder (Circuit Mission Enabler), Graham Foster and Deputy PCC Oliver Bryan

As Leicester’s largest free festival returns, there are lots of ways to make your journey into the city centre this weekend to join in the fun. The Riverside Festival takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June with a huge programme of arts, music and performance, as well as lots of family-friendly activities, funfair rides, boat trips and heritage attractions. Activities will be spread along the River Soar’s Mile Straight, as well as on Bede Park, the De Montfort University campus, Castle Street, The Newarke and at Castle Gardens. Across all festival locations, there will be a wide range of international street food, licensed bars, craft markets and stalls, and walkabout entertainers. To allow the festival to take place, there will traffic restrictions on some roads from 7am on Saturday until 8pm on Sunday. Roads that will be closed to traffic include Western Boulevard, Mill Lane, The Newarke, Castle View, The Gateway, Newarke Close, Grasmere Street and Eastern Boulevard. Walkers can enjoy a scenic route along the River Soar to arrive at the festival – and for anyone travelling by bike, there is free secure bike parking available. Bike parks will be located at Bede Park, Western Boulevard and the DMU campus – just look for the large Ride Leicester flags. Anyone arriving by bike can also get free cycle hub membership for the whole year (usually £10), which means you can park your bike for free at the Town Hall bike park and St Margaret’s cycle hub. Parking in the area is very limited, so drivers are advised to use city centre car parks. For anyone taking a taxi to the site, suggested drop-off points are Western Boulevard, The Gateway or Castle Street for access to Bede Park, the DMU campus and Castle Gardens respectively. Organisers are committed to making Riverside Festival as accessible as possible for all visitors. A calm space will be available throughout the festival at the Kimberlin Library on the DMU campus. It will have ear defenders and fidget toys available, plus an accessible toilet. Other accessible toilets will be available across the festival, and there is a Changing Places space at Jewry Wall Museum. Selected activities at Castle Gardens will include British Sign Language interpretation, and local charity Mosaic will be offering trips on Sunbeam II, their fully accessible narrowboat, with access via a ramp. Leicester Wheels for All will also be at the festival, based on The Newarke, showcasing their range of adaptable bikes suitable for all ages and abilities, including wheelchair users. They will run a bike taxi service for anyone needing extra help getting around the festival sites. Wayfinders and large print maps will be around the site, and friendly festival staff in yellow hi-vis jackets will be happy to help. Cllr Vi Dempster, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for culture, said: “Riverside Festival is for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of people to the city centre to enjoy a huge range of music, art and activities. “We’re very proud of this free festival and what it offers to visitors and families, showcasing Leicester at its best. It’s the result of a fantastic collaboration between lots of organisations and partners – and most of all, it’s fun!” For more information on everything the festival has to offer, see https://visitleicester.info/riverside-festival/

Information is being sought by Police officers following a serious collision in Groby yesterday (Thursday 4 June). Police were called to Oaktree Close just after 2.20pm following a report a motorcycle had collided with a pedestrian and then left the scene. The pedestrian, a woman in her 90s, was taken to hospital for treatment. She remains in a critical condition. Enquiries to identify the motorcycle and locate the rider are continuing. No arrests have been made at this time. Detective Sergeant Charlotte Mee, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “We know the motorcycle travelled from Ratby Road into the centre of Groby prior to the collision occurring at the junction with Oaktree Close. “I’d like to speak to anyone who saw a motorcyclist in the area at the time and in particular, any motorists who captured it on a dashcam. “I’d like to extend my appeal to anyone who has footage captured on CCTV or a doorbell camera too. Anything you’re able to provide could help our investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/making-a-road-traffic-incident-report/ and quoting reference 26*325080. Alternatively call 101. You can also pass on information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously Leicestershire Police News

A group of Leicestershire cyclists have embarked on a 220-mile challenge in the hope of securing national recognition for a new long-distance cycling route that would put the county on the map for ‘bikepacking’ adventure tourism. The proposed ‘King's End’ route will link key historic sites, countryside landscapes and independent cafés across Leicester and Leicestershire, with the hope that it will be included in Cycling UK's prestigious ‘Adventure Series’ - potentially making it the first officially recognised route of its kind in the Midlands. Inspired by the story of King Richard III and the Battle of Naseby, named the ‘Kings End Way’ the route traverses the Leicestershire countryside with key stops at places of historic significance and cycle-friendly cafés and restaurants. The route is a great way to uncover the history of Leicestershire on two wheels, covering a variety of landscapes on quiet roads which circle the Leicestershire countryside like a wheel, occasionally crossing into neighbouring counties including Rutland and Nottinghamshire, with four ‘spokes’ all heading back into Leicester itself. The route, named King’s End gives a nod to the downfall of not one but two English kings. Leicester is home to the remains of King Richard III, the last king of England to die in battle in 1485 at Bosworth, resulting in the fall of the House of York and the rise of the Tudors. He was famously discovered in Leicester in 2012, with the ‘King in the car park’ story generating huge national and international awareness. Less well known but equally significant is 1645’s Battle of Naseby which proved to be the decisive conflict in the English Civil War. Royalist troops, having besieged and captured Leicester, marched to Naseby and lost decisively to Cromwell’s New Model Army. This ultimately led to the capture of Charles I, the only English monarch to be tried and executed. The Cycling UK routes, ideal for multiple day ‘bikepacking’ adventures are aimed at keen cyclists interested in exploring the history and locations. The Midlands is currently underrepresented with the first seven routes focusing on the south, west and Wales, so this route is a chance to get Leicester and Leicestershire firmly onto the cycling map! The route can be completed in piecemeal (quadrants), with the full 220 miles aimed at experienced cyclists, but can be attempted over multiple days, with suggested accommodation available via the Visit Leicester website. All of the roads, cycle paths and off-road sections (around 35% of the route is through forests, or by canals and water features) have been selected to be cycle-friendly and accessible to everyone. The team are trialling the route this week, setting out from the King Richard III Visitor Centre on Tuesday 2 June and returning on Friday 5 June. It is then hoped that Cycling UK will agree to investigate the route which will hopefully lead to it being included in their list of routes from 2027 as the first Midlands ‘Adventure Series’ route! Mike Dalzell, who was the Director of Tourism at Leicester City Council for many years, and is leading the group’s effort said: “We’re excited to get this route underway and recognised. Leicestershire has a fantastic story to tell, and I know as a keen cyclist that the routes and infrastructure around the county are top class. We hope that this is enough for Cycling UK to agree to come and investigate this route and ultimate include it!” For more information on the Cycling UK Adventure Series, go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/tags/adventure-series

New backing for businesses to protect their livelihoods and staff from crime Businesses across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland are to benefit from extra high-tech security resources to tackle retail crime and protect their employees thanks to a new funding boost. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has shared £46,853 between nine local councils and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as part of his mission to safeguard local livelihoods and support joint solutions to prevent business and retail crime. The funding is being invested in a series of advanced interventions from CCTV cameras and retail radio handsets through to personal safety alarms for shopworkers and e-learning safety courses for retail staff. It comes after the PCC previously invested £52k in 110 Body Worn Videos (BWV) for independent retailers who are frequently the target of violence and shoplifting. This funding was distributed across the area’s Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) and BIDs, with organisations eligible to apply for up to 25 BWVs for allocation to retailers. The PCC has talked to businesses and retailers at length during his community walkabouts and patch days about the impact of shoplifting, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and threats and assaults on shopworkers. Business Crime is a key priority in his Police and Crime Plan with the PCC committed to equipping businesses with the information and resources they need to protect themselves from crime and to eliminate the harm posed to their employees. The PCC has also vowed to roll out more crime prevention programmes to help businesses reduce their risk and to make it easier to report crime while ensuring the force pursues all reasonable lines of enquiry and investigates business crime effectively. “I want our businesses to thrive across our region but to do so they must feel supported and listened to,” said Mr Matthews. “I meet business owners and shopkeepers every day. They are frustrated that their livelihoods are coming under constant threat by undeterred criminals and are worried for their frontline staff. “There’s a misconception that shoplifting only hurts proprietors – this couldn’t be further from the truth. It hits all of us in the pocket, pushing up prices, inflating insurance premiums, triggering job losses and weaking our economy. Together, we must fight back. “This is why I am pleased to be taking positive action, funding practical resources that will not only serve as a greater deterrent to criminals but will also increase the chance of detection and improve evidence-gathering. “I take crimes against businesses and retailers extremely seriously and will continue to do everything possible to deliver the strong and robust response retailers rightly expect with the money behind it to make a difference.” The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) shows the PCC’s unprecedented focus on preventing crime in the first place is paying dividends, with the area continuing to outperform both regional and national averages for shoplifting and a series of other crime types. The PCC remains committed to sustaining this progress, supporting businesses through targeted investment that enables them to proactively reduce risk and strengthen their resilience. Among the organisations to successfully bid for funding is Hinckley and Bosworth Council which has been awarded £5,183 towards the improvement of its existing retail radio network, funding additional radios, chargers and batteries. Blaby District Council has received £4,900 towards the installation of a Geofencing bollard to protect businesses and pedestrians from ram raiders and an upgraded CCTV system while BID Leicester has been awarded £5,200 to cover the cloud service linked to the 25 BWV devices it secured during the first round of funding. The latest grant will provide cloud service for an extra two years, bringing the total coverage to three years. Meanwhile, Rutland County Council has received £5,270 to support its Rutland Retail Crime Initiative, funding DISC and refurbished retail radio handsets. DISC is an information sharing app which empowers business owners to share information about incidents and offenders between themselves so they can better protect themselves against crime and keep their property, employees and customers safe. It also enables them to report incidents to the police quickly. Full the full list of recipients visit: https://bit.ly/BusinessCrimeGrants25-26

Family activities, expert talks and commemorative plaque unveiling mark Leicester's role in Britain's pioneering Mars mission The National Space Centre and UK Space Agency are inviting families and enthusiasts to celebrate one of the UK's most remarkable achievements in space exploration at a special Beagle 2 Celebration Day on Sunday 7 June 2026. Included with normal admission, the day will commemorate the Beagle 2 Mars mission and the vital role Leicester played in its story, with hands-on activities, family-friendly talks, expert discussions and the unveiling of a permanent commemorative plaque. The mission has strong links to Leicester with the National Space Centre being home to the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Control Centre, where its story continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers. Developed by a UK-led team with major contributions from the University of Leicester, Beagle 2 successfully reached Mars in 2003, with its landing site later confirmed by NASA imagery. The project is widely recognised as a remarkable success story in British space exploration. To honour this pioneering mission, visitors will be able to take part in a programme of activities throughout the day designed to inspire all ages. Celebrations begin with a morning of family-friendly workshops and interactive experiences, including programmable rover challenges where young engineers can test their skills navigating a Martian landscape. Visitors can also explore the fascinating geography of the Red Planet with the National Space Centre's Discovery Team and get up close to a life-sized model of the Beagle 2 lander. Visitors can also enjoy Mission Mars, an interactive family talk presented by the Discovery Team at 11:00am and 1:30pm, exploring the challenges of travelling to, living on and returning from Mars before guests are invited to gather in the Live Space theatre for the official unveiling of a commemorative plaque marking the location of the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Control Centre within the National Space Centre at 12pm. The afternoon programme will culminate in a special panel discussion featuring many of the scientists, engineers and mission specialists involved in Beagle 2. Designed for highly engaged space and science audiences, the discussion will offer unique insights into the mission's legacy from the new space approach that Beagle 2 laid the foundations for. Whether you're discovering Beagle 2 for the first time or have followed its story from the beginning, this special celebration offers a rare opportunity to explore a mission that transformed our understanding of Mars and demonstrated the UK's capability to reach another world. For more information and to plan your visit, go to spacecentre.co.uk.

A special event has been held at the Glenfield Hospital to thank a volunteer who has supported UHL’s cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) classes for 20 years. Roger Latham has been a consistent presence at classes held at the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Loughborough and at the Glenfield Hospital since taking part in a rehab programme himself, in 2006. The cardiac rehab service at UHL supports patients in their recovery from a heart attack, heart surgery or following a diagnosis such as heart failure. The multi-disciplinary team includes nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, exercise instructors, and cardiac rehab assistants who help patients to improve their fitness, quality of life and future health. The service offers individualised exercise, education and support, and can be considered just as important for patients as taking their medication. Roger’s volunteering journey began after he suffered a heart attack in 2005. Following treatment at the Glenfield, he was referred to the cardiac rehab service to complete a structured exercise programme. It was through meeting a volunteer during his classes that Roger was inspired to give back himself. “The classes were really helpful for me”, explains Roger. “After you experience a heart event, there can be a psychological barrier to get over. You’re not always sure what levels of physical exercise you can do safely. “And so getting a prescription for exercise, and support to go through it in a structured way, gives people the confidence to go forward in their lives.” Roger helps the team to set up each session and joins in with warm-up exercises, but his key contribution is his ability to connect with patients through his lived experience. “I just love the interaction and getting to know the patients”, said Roger, from Barrow upon Soar. “I chat to them, especially if they’re new. I find that a lot of people appreciate the reassurance and the opportunity to talk to somebody who has been there and done it. “The staff are great – I get on well with everyone, and they make me feel like I’m part of the team.” UHL’s cardiac rehab service arranged a gathering at the Secret Garden to formally thank Roger for his ‘extraordinary’ contribution over two decades. Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse, Eithne Heneghan, said: “Throughout an amazing 20 years of volunteering, Roger has served as an ambassador for lifelong exercise. Having walked in our patients’ shoes, he approaches his role with a deep understanding of the anxieties a cardiac diagnosis can bring. He is often the first to greet patients with a reassuring welcome, and his presence brings a calm, cheerful confidence that is very settling for service users. “We cannot thank Roger enough for his contribution over the past 20 years – he is irreplaceable.” UHL benefits from the support of hundreds of volunteers within our hospitals, who offer their time to help improve services for patients and visitors. Many different roles are available, ranging from meeting and greeting patients to driving buggies to hairdressing. If you are interested in volunteering at one of UHL’s hospital sites, visit our volunteering page to find out more. UHL News 04/06/2026