A new children’s home in Leicester is preparing to open its doors. Holly House, in Aylestone, has been converted from two former council houses to create a new home with places for up to five young people, between the ages of eight and 17. It is the first brand new children’s home to be built in the city in 40 years. The new home includes four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a semi-independent flat for young people leaving care. The building also has communal recreational spaces, a dining room for everyone to eat together, a modern kitchen, lounge, offices and staff sleeping areas. The building is heated with air source heat pumps and has 30 photovoltaic solar panels on the roof. Along with a home that will open next year in the west of the city, Holly House will help to increase the city council’s in-house capacity from six children’s homes, caring for up to 36 children and young people, to eight homes caring for up to 47. The estimated cost for creating the new home is around £1,100,000, of which £500,000 has come from the Department for Education’s children’s homes capital funding programme. There are currently more than 50 children and young people from Leicester living in residential children’s homes run by other organisations, with an average cost of £5,800 per week. Many of these are not located in the city. The average direct cost at a council-run home in Leicester is around £5000 a week. Cllr Sarah Russell, deputy city mayor for social care, health, and community safety, said: “It has been great to see Holly House taking shape and it’s wonderful to see that it is now almost complete. “We consider investing in new children’s homes to be an important use of our resources, so that we can help to support and protect those who need it most. “Children’s homes should feel like they are just that – a home – and I’m pleased to say that Holly House has been designed and finished with that in mind. We look forward to it opening its doors and becoming a welcoming home for some of Leicester’s most vulnerable children and young people.” The vast majority of children who can’t live with their birth families live with foster carers but increasing demand for children’s social care services in recent years – a trend across the country - means there has been a significant rise in demand for residential children’s homes. This has led to an increase in the use of external providers, but by building homes itself, the council can help children to maintain local connections and relationships, and tailor support to their individual needs. Find out more about health and social care provision in Leicester at https://www.leicester.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/ Leicester City Council News - Published on Thursday, September 26, 2024

PCC says 7% pay increase for police officers and staff will help retain a ‘top-class' workforce. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has welcomed the Government's offer of a seven per cent increase in pay for police staff, saying it will help attract and retain the best people for the job. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner said it was critical police forces attracted high-calibre staff and officers capable of handling the increasingly complex nature of crime in the 21st century. The Government has already accepted the full recommendation of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), ensuring all police officer ranks will receive a seven per cent uplift in their pay from September 1 this year. And this week it offered police staff the same uplift of seven per cent. If accepted, the rise will also become effective from 1 September. In addition, the Government is offering a seven per cent rise on payments to staff who are asked to be available for work outside their normal hours. The pay awards represent the joint highest of all public sector workers alongside prison officers. Mr Matthews said: "Policing is a challenging career, and we need to be attracting the best in the business to put ourselves on the front foot when it comes to outsmarting today's criminals and staying ahead of emerging threats. This pay award will not only help us to entice strong candidates in the first place, it will also help to retain them once they're here so our communities benefit from a top-class workforce for many years to come. "Police officers and staff work relentlessly on behalf of our communities and their efforts should be justly recognised with a fair pay deal. They have a huge role to play in the delivery of my Police and Crime Plan priorities to keep Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland crime-free and should feel strongly valued and appreciated for the work they do." Chief secretary to the Treasury John Glen MP told the Commons the officer pay offer represented a ‘fair deal' for public sector workers and would help to address cost-of-living pressures. He also said it was ‘fiscally responsible' and supported the Prime Minister's plans to cut inflation. The pay award will not be funded by new borrowing but a reprioritisation of existing budgets to deliver spending to areas where it delivered the greatest value. The Government is looking to increase fees across a range of immigration and nationality routes for those coming to live, work and study in the UK, to help fund the uplift.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has joined officers on the front line, tackling knife crime in the city, as part of a national campaign week. PCC Rupert Matthews in Stokeswood Park, searching for weapons with metal detecting wand. In support of Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action 2024, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC teamed up with local policing teams in West Leicester as they conducted knife checks with the aid of their new metal detecting kit, funded by the PCC through his support of the Safer Leicester Partnership. The wands are used to detect knives and other weaponry hidden in undergrowth or bushes, where they can be accessed easily by those wishing to use them for criminal purposes. The wands have been proved successful having found a variety of knives and sharp bladed instruments over recent months. The PCC’s visit was part of packed programme of activity to shine a spotlight on the positive contribution made by the county’s neighbourhood policing teams to mark Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action. Earlier in the day, Deputy PCC Rani Mahal visited schools alongside staff from Leicester-based safeguarding charity Warning Zone and PCSO Danny Burton to see the work the Office has funded to keep young people away from harm. Neighbourhood Policing is the bedrock of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, and the PCC is working closely with partners to tackle the local issues that matter most to residents. Prevention is also a core focus, and through his collaborative work with the force and the Violence Reduction Network (VRN), he has supported a raft of educational projects and mentorship programmes designed to provide young people with the early help they need to make positive choices that protect them from violence or exploitation. This work recently saw Leicestershire Police flagged as a ‘positive outlier’ nationally for its proactive approach to reducing knife crime and serious violence after achieving a significant reduction in incidents in comparison with other areas according to the Home Office’s Early Warning System (EWS). Mr Matthews said: “I was pleased to join neighbourhood officers in West Leicester and experience first-hand the difficult job they do protecting our streets from knife crime and violence. “This equipment can potentially save lives and remove dangerous weapons off our streets. My budget has supported training for officers to use the metal detectors, as well as the detectors themselves, and I was impressed at how effectively police are using these skills. “Although we are successfully driving down knife crime and violence, as recently highlighted by the Home Office, every life lost is one too many. We will continue to work together to tackle these issues head-on, and that means balancing educational opportunities with the need for strong and robust enforcement like that I witnessed today. “Our neighbourhood policing teams work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to keep local people safe. I am proud to support this national campaign which gives them the recognition they deserve.”

Several police stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will soon receive Victorian-style blue lamps outside the building as part of a plan to make the police more visible in their communities and connect the police more closely to the communities they serve. Rupert Matthews inspecting the fitting of one of the new blue lamps As the nation marks Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews announced plans to fund several Mercia Lanterns – a replica of the Victorian Police Lantern first used in London in the 1800s – at several sites across the city and two counties. The Blue Lamp as it came to be known became a powerful symbol of law and order in Britain, spanning several generations. It was originally used to help people easily identify a police station, seen as a place of safe refuge and help, giving reassurance to the public – something the PCC wants to see recreated today. Mr Matthews said: “The Blue Lamp is an iconic piece of British policing history and symbolises not only law, order and justice, but safety and sanctuary. These values are just important to our communities today and this is just one of the many ways I aim to reconnect residents with the policing values of the past. “As Commissioner, I have made it my mission to increase confidence and trust in local policing. The visible presence of a police officer or police station at the heart of a community has always offered immeasurable reassurance to residents. This symbolic gesture will help to remind people that the police take their safety seriously and are there to provide help when it is needed.” Neighbourbood Policing Week of Action takes place between January 22 and 26 to highlight the vital work that neighbourhood officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and volunteers do to protect the public and keep people safe.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has today (27 October) announced Rob Nixon as his preferred candidate for the new Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police. Rob Nixon Mr Nixon has been subject to a robust interview process to test his suitability for the role, carried out in line with the College of Policing's recruitment requirements. An interview panel consisting of Mr Matthews, Baroness Nicky Morgan, Callum Faint (Chief Fire Officer), Cllr Hemant Rae Bhatia (Leicester City Council) and David Wood (former High Sheriff of Rutland), ensured total impartiality. The gruelling process included assessments by both internal and external stakeholder groups, followed by an in-depth presentation to and interview by, the interview panel, after which Mr Nixon was announced as the preferred candidate. The appointment will now be subject to a confirmation hearing by the Police and Crime Panel which will take place in November. Mr Nixon has served with Leicestershire Police for 29 years and began his career in 1993. He has been serving as Temporary Chief Constable following Simon Cole's retirement earlier this year. Mr Matthews said: "I am delighted to announce Rob Nixon as my preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable. The interview process was extremely challenging and left no stone unturned. Rupert Matthews "Mr Nixon has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge during his time with Leicestershire Police. These skills have been duly tested over the past seven months during his role as Temporary Chief Constable and his performance has been nothing short of first class. "Mr Nixon has proven himself to be an outstanding and strategic leader with an ability to respond robustly and calmly to pressure. He has exciting and innovative plans for the force and will continue to build on the excellent foundations of his predecessor, Simon Cole. I have every confidence Leicestershire Police will continue to go from strength to strength under his watch." Rob Nixon said: "I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to lead the force I joined 29 years ago and continue to serve the city and counties I love. It is an enormous privilege to take on, what I believe to be, the best job in public service and I am thankful to the Commissioner and his interview panel. I know I am fortunate to lead a great team. My focus as Chief for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is straightforward: to strengthen trust and confidence in the job the police do, to give a top-quality service to the people we serve, and to do both with high standards, professionalism and respect." Mr Nixon has enjoyed a varied and demanding policing career. In 2008, he was appointed as head of the force's Community Safety Bureau with responsibility for the development of strategic partnerships, the implementation of neighbourhood policing and offender management and between 2009 and 2014, he was Chief Superintendent for the Leicester City Basic Command Unit, leading policing for the area. In 2015, he became Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, working across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire on collaborative projects such as the regional East Midlands Operational Support Service and East Midlands Criminal Justice Service. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in February 2018 and two years later, in December, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) as part of the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

PCC praises tough enforcement in car cruising hotspots to deter offenders. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has welcomed the success of tough new action to tackle car cruising with incidents already falling in some parts of the force area. Racing and nuisance driving is an issue repeatedly raised by the public and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC vowed to work with the force to step up patrols and enforcement to hold more perpetrators to account. Officers are also working closely with Community Safety Partnerships and are using civil action to clamp down on the behaviour. Dozens of Section 59 warnings have been issued to offenders in recent months with vehicles seized from those who have persisted in their behaviour. Police are using CCTV and ANPR cameras to help identify vehicles and have warned repeat offenders that they will be caught and made to face the full arm of the law. Areas such as Charnwood have seen a significant reduction in reported car cruises while intelligence-led patrols in ‘hotspot' car cruising locations across the force area is continuing to identify repeat offenders. Mr Matthews said: "Car cruising is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. Elsewhere across the country, innocent drivers have been forced off the road with some suffering injuries or even death after being hit by vehicles out of control. "I receive many complaints about this behaviour and have given my full support to the Chief Constable to take the strong and effective action necessary to tackle this issue. I am pleased to see that the extra enforcement is having an effect, but we will not be resting in our laurels. Drivers should be aware that officers are using the full suite of their powers and state-of-the-art technology to identify dangerous drivers - anyone who ignores the warnings will be prosecuted. "The safety of our roads is a priority for me. Our partners at North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) recently secured a new three-year ban enabling enforcement officers to issue fixed penalty fines to dangerous and anti-social drivers across the whole of Castle Donington. I will be monitoring the impact of this ban closely and will support all future efforts by the force and our partners to deal with this issue proactively." The force is employing a phased approach to offending, initially providing advice or a warning letter to drivers before moving on to issuing a Section 59 warning. This is a warning given under the Police Reform Act 2002 to a motorist whose manner of driving is causing/has been causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to the public. If the driver ignores the warning and reoffends within a 12-month period, the vehicle can be seized and, if not collected after paying recovery and storage costs, will be crushed. Additionally, officers are able to recover a car if there is no insurance in place under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act. Progress to date: Market Harborough NPA 15 warnings letters sent out after last car cruise reported in April. Police recently deployed to reports of a car cruise on A6, but no cars were seen. Hinckley and Blaby NPA 10 Sec 59 warnings issued following car cruise in Hinckley reported in February. No further events reported. Over 12-month period, total of 15 Sec 50 notices have been issued and two cars seized. Charnwood Significant drop in car cruises on A512 noted with year-on-year incident reduction from 52 to 10. Following previous incidents on the A512, 30 warning letters were issued and 10 Sec 59 warnings given. North West Leicestershire Continues to be a ‘hotspot' for car cruising and the area is subject to intelligence-led patrol plans and a new ban. 80 warning letters issued in past 12 months, 11 Sec 59 orders given, and three drivers reported for summons for traffic related offences. 60 vehicles caught on camera on August 26th in Castle Donington. Civil action in the process of being taken. #PCC #LeicestershirePolice

Pictures by Leicester Media Online READ UPDATE 08/06/26 16:00 CLICK HERE A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a body in Castle Gardens, Leicester, yesterday evening. The force received a call at 7.58pm reporting a dead body in a bush inside Castle Gardens. Officers attended, along with East Midlands Ambulance Service, and the man – who was in his 40s – was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and there is a significant police presence in the area of Castle Gardens. There is also a scene on at an address in Beacon Close in Beaumont Leys. This is connected to this investigation. Two people are in custody on suspicion of murder. A 46-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man, both from Leicester, are being questioned by detectives. Detective Inspector Lorna Granville from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit is leading the investigation. She said: “Work is being carried out to determine what has happened to lead to this man’s death. To allow this to happen, there is a cordon in place in Castle Gardens, preventing access. “Trawls of CCTV in the area are being carried out and witnesses are being spoken to. “Anyone in the area of Castle Gardens at around 8pm last night (Thursday) is asked to contact police with any information. Did you see anyone acting in a suspicious way? “Any information may prove helpful to the investigation, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you. “There is also a cordon in place at an address in Beacon Close, Beaumont Leys, in connection with this investigation and searches are being carried out there. “If you have any concerns or information that may assist, please speak to the officers at the scenes.” The public portal is live and information can be submitted to the incident room here: Public Portal

Leicestershire police have issued the following statement this afternoon. A murder investigation that began following the discovery of a body in Castle Gardens, Leicester, has been stood down. A post-mortem examination carried out earlier today (Friday) found that the man, who was in his 40s, died as a result of a suspected medical episode. The force was called at 7.58pm last night (Thursday) following a report that there was a body in a bush. Officers attended, along with East Midlands Ambulance Service, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The two people arrested on suspicion of murder – a 46-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man, from Leicester – have been released from custody with no further action to be taken. Detective Inspector Lorna Granville from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “Fast time actions carried out following the call to the force have determined that the man died as a result of a suspected medical episode. “I’d like to thank the officers involved for their work overnight and today, and to the public for understanding our need to close Castle Gardens while our enquiries were carried out. “The force will now conduct an investigation on behalf of HM Coroner which will aim to understand the circumstances that lead to his death." Leicestershire Police News Update Published: 15:49 08/05/2026

PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner) praises community-focused crime prevention as force outperforms national and regional crime trends. Police and Crime Commissioner - Rupert Matthews Proactive action to prevent offending before it harms victims and communities is achieving sweeping reductions in crime across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, latest figures reveal. The new Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) provides further evidence that Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews’ unprecedented focus on preventing crime in the first place is paying dividends. Total recorded offences across the force area per 1,000 population decreased to 77.4 in the 12 months up to December 2025 – below the national average of 83.5 – and the area continues to significantly outperform both regional and national averages for shoplifting and drug offences with violence against the person offences per 1,000 population also beating regional and national rates. The survey also highlights strong performance against several of the public’s top priorities including violence with injury offences which have fallen by 15.1% compared to the previous year and violent offences in general (with or without injury) reducing by 4.1% across the year. Meanwhile, the Commissioner’s tireless efforts alongside the force and the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to address the root causes of knife crime and serious violence continues to deliver impressive results with possession of weapons offences plummeting 30% up to December 2025 – the second lowest reduction in the region. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “These figures are wholly welcomed and provide proof that our relentless efforts to build strength and resilience in our communities and resolve the precursors to crime are really working. “Sir Robert Peel – the father of modern policing – believed success should be measured not on arrests but by the absence of crime and disorder and I wholeheartedly stand by that approach, building my Police and Crime Plan around this vital principle. “But crime prevention must be balanced with robust and effective enforcement – residents rightly expect criminals to be pursued, arrested and brought to justice for their crimes. These results also prove the value in visible and swift justice in deterring crime, highlighting the force’s exceptional success in targeting those who persistently cause the most harm. “Our officers, volunteers and police staff do a phenomenal job keeping our people safe and this success is testament to their dedication, commitment and expertise 365-days-a-year. “We must also recognise our partners and communities for increasing opportunities for people to transform their lives, turn their backs on crime and overcome the barriers holding them back. These results would be impossible without their ongoing support.” Grace Strong, Director of Prevention for Leicestershire Police, said: “These results show that a strong focus on prevention is making a real difference in our communities. While it’s encouraging to see crime falling, we will not lose momentum and will continue to build on this progress by embedding a prevention-led approach across the force, working collaboratively with partners and communities to tackle issues at the earliest opportunity." Grace Strong, Director of Prevention. The CSEW reveals impressive reductions in sexual offences (-7.5%), theft offences (-6.4%) and burglary offences (-4.5%) with residential burglaries recording a 7.4% decrease in the 12 months up to December 2025. Vehicle offences, meanwhile, have hit a record 11.5% decrease compared to the 12 months previously, with reductions also recorded for criminal damage and arson (-4.6%), drug offences (-4.6%) and public disorder offences (-6.7%) In his Police and Crime Plan, the PCC sets out his mission to make Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer and more prosperous through a clear focus on prevention, bringing offenders to justice and supporting victims and witnesses. The PCC has vowed to work in partnership with safety partners and communities, investing in the early diversion of young people and vulnerable adults away from the criminal justice system and robust offender management programmes which balance the need for proactive enforcement with tackling the source of offending behaviour. Through his Community Action Fund, the PCC distributes significant funding into the hands of those who know their communities best to strike at the roots of criminality and anti-social behaviour (ASB), with funding shared across six rounds across the year, each meeting a core priority in the Police and Crime Plan. The fund aims to stop problems before they start by enlisting the support of grassroots organisations in efforts to reduce crime, ease pressure on the emergency services and build safer, more connected communities with grants of up to £10k available for successful applicants. #PCC #LeicsPolice

Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 19 December 2020 Good afternoon, I am sorry to report that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago. Yesterday afternoon, I was briefed on the latest data showing the virus spreading more rapidly in London, the South East and the East of England than would be expected given the tough restrictions which are already in place. I also received an explanation for why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. It appears this spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus, which we first learned about earlier this week. Our advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats – NERVTAG – has spent the last few days analysing the new variant. There is no evidence the variant causes more severe illness or higher mortality, but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily. NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant. This is early data. It is subject to review. It is the best we have at the moment, and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast. The U.K. has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world, which means we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country. The Chief Medical Officer last night submitted our findings so far to the World Health Organisation and we will continue to be totally transparent with our global partners. There is still much we don’t know. While we are fairly certain the variant is transmitted more quickly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness. Equally there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant. Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding of the variant. So we are learning more about this variant as we go. But we know enough already to be sure that we must act now. I met ministers on the Covid Operations Committee last night and again first thing this morning, and Cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions. First, we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently in tier 3. These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November. That means: Residents in those areas must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law. Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close. People must work from home if they can, but may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors. People should not enter or leave tier 4 areas, and tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space. Unlike the November national restrictions, communal worship can continue to take place in tier 4 areas. These measures will take effect from tomorrow morning. All tiers will continue to be regularly reviewed in line with the approach previously set out, with the next formal review point taking place on 30 December. Second, we are issuing new advice on travel. Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country. We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local. People should carefully consider whether they need to travel abroad and follow the rules in their tier. Those in tier 4 areas will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as for work purposes. Third, we must, I am afraid, look again at Christmas. As Prime Minister, it is my duty to take the difficult decisions, to do what is right to protect the people of this country. Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, and the potential risk it poses, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned. In England, those living in tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness or isolation. Across the rest of the country, the Christmas rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only, rather than the five days as previously set out. As before, there will be no relaxation on 31 December, so people must not break the rules at New Year. I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren, and for families to be together. So I know how disappointing this will be, but we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science. When the science changes, we must change our response. When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence. As your Prime Minister, I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me. Without action, the evidence suggests infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives. I want to stress we are not alone in this fight – many of our European friends and neighbours are being forced to take similar action. We are working closely with the devolved administrations to protect people in every part of the UK. Of course there is now hope – real hope – that we will soon be rid of this virus. That prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose administered. The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approve vaccine. So please, if the NHS contacts you then get your vaccine – and join the 350,000 people across the UK who have already had their first dose. Yes, Christmas this year will be very different, but we must be realistic. We are sacrificing our chance to see loved ones this Christmas, so we have a better chance of protecting their lives so we can see them at future Christmases. As sure as night follows day, we will beat back this virus. We will defeat it. And we will reclaim our lives. Published 19 December 2020 18:00 For detailed local information visit https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions

The Midlands, North East, parts of the North West and parts of the South West among those escalated to Tier 4, with almost all remaining areas escalated to Tier 3 Spread of the new strain of COVID-19 is increasing in the South West, Midlands and parts of the North West After careful consideration of the latest data, the following local authority areas will move to Tier 4: Stay at Home from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020: Leicester City Leicestershire (Oadby and Wigston, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Blaby, Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton) Lincolnshire (City of Lincoln, Boston, South Kesteven, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland, East Lindsey) Northamptonshire (Corby, Daventry, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Northampton, South Northamptonshire, Wellingborough) Derby and Derbyshire (Derby, Amber Valley, South Derbyshire, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Erewash, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak) Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (Gedling, Ashfield, Mansfield, Rushcliffe, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, Broxtowe) Birmingham and Black Country (Dudley, Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton) Coventry Solihull Warwickshire (Rugby, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Warwick, North Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon) Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (East Staffordshire, Stafford, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle under Lyme, Tamworth, Stoke-on-Trent) Lancashire (Burnley, Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Ribble Valley, Blackpool, Preston, Hyndburn, Chorley, Fylde, Lancaster, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre) Cheshire and Warrington (Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Warrington) Cumbria (Eden, Carlisle, South Lakeland, Barrow-in-Furness, Copeland, Allerdale) Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan) Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees ) North East (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland) Gloucestershire (Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Cotswolds, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cheltenham) Somerset Council (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, South Somerset) Swindon Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Isle of Wight New Forest The following local authority areas will move to Tier 3: Very High from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020: Rutland Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin Worcestershire (Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester, Wychavon, Wyre Forest) Herefordshire Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens) York and North Yorkshire (Scarborough, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Selby, Craven, Ryedale, Harrogate, City of York) Bath and North East Somerset Devon, Plymouth, Torbay (East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon, Plymouth, Torbay) Cornwall Dorset Wiltshire Between 18 and 24 December the weekly case rate in England rose to 402.6 per 100,000, a 32% increase on the previous week. The NHS reports 14,915 patients have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the past week, a 18% increase on the week before. Evidence shows the new strain of COVID-19 is increasing in the South West, Midlands and parts of the North West. The majority of the cases identified in London, the South East and the East of England are of the new variant. Infection rates have increased faster than expected in these areas where the new strain has been circulating and stronger measures are required to get the virus under control. Rates in the East Midlands have increased to 256.1 per 100,000, a 17% increase on the previous week. Rates in the West Midlands have increased to 273.5 per 100,000, a 23% increase on the previous week. In the North West, rates have increased by 31% to 223.9 per 100,000. In the South West, there has been a 37% increase in cases to 175.1 cases per 100,000. While rates in the South West may be lower than other areas, the data shows a sharp upwards trajectory. Winter is always the most difficult time of year for the NHS and an increase in COVID-19 infections is followed closely by a rise in hospitalisations and, after a lag, an increase in deaths. It is vital everyone plays their part by following the regional tiered restrictions in their area to bring down infections, save lives and reduce pressures on the NHS this winter. All clinically extremely vulnerable individuals will be asked to shield if they live in Tier 4 areas. People will be sent a letter or email with advice and details of support. In the meantime they should follow the shielding advice set out on GOV.UK.   Tier 3 and 4 areas will continue to be prioritised for community testing, with more than 100  local authorities  now having signed up to the enhanced testing support programme. All available data has been assessed by the government, including the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace including the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE), the Chief Medical Officer and the Cabinet Office. Data assessed includes how quickly case rates are going up or down, cases in the over-60s, pressure on the NHS and local circumstances.

Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown for England - with people instructed to "stay at home" as they did during last March's first shutdown. Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. What you can and cannot do. You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules. Leaving home You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to: * shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person * go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home * exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. * meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one * seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse) * attend education or childcare - for those eligible Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open. Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses. If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work Meeting others You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one). You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason. Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household. For a complete listing and more information from the Government website. click here. #NationalLockdown #LeicesterLockDown #HandsFaceSpace