BREAKING NEWS Colin Pitchfork has been released from prison today after the Parole Board rejected a government challenge to block his release. Pitchfork, now aged 61, was jailed for life after raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986. Following a hearing in March, the Parole Board ruled he was "suitable for release", despite this being denied in 2016 and 2018. He became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence in 1988 after admitting two murders, two rapes, two indecent assaults and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. MORE TO FOLLOW

Detectives investigating a murder following an incident in a Leicester street are urging people to continue to come forward with information. Police are today able to name the man who died after being found with stab wound injuries in the street in Evington Road near the junction with Hamilton Street on Monday (27 December) as 41-year-old Raju Modhwadia. Mr Modhwadia was also known as Kara Muru. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Mr Modhwadia but it remains vitally important that the public continue to inform police of what they know as the murder investigation continues. Detective Inspector Nicole Main, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “While we continue to make progress in the investigation, we continue to need you, the public, to tell us what you know. “Mr Modhwadia has lost his life and we remain determined to find the answers we need for his family.” Police received a call at 12.32am on Monday from the East Midlands Ambulance Service who had been called to a report of a man found injured in the street in Evington Road near the junction with Hamilton Street. Mr Modhwadia was taken to hospital by ambulance. He was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital just after 1am on Monday. A murder investigation was launched and three men, aged 32, 33 and 35, of Leicester, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They all currently remain in police custody. DI Main added: “Please continue to think back to if you were in the area of Evington Road and Hamilton Street late on Boxing Day evening (Sunday 26 December) or during the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday (27 December). Did you see or hear anything which caused you concern? Have you any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area that we have not seen? “Or have you heard anything since the incident that could help us progress our investigation further? What have you heard? What do you know? If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, we urge you to get in touch. “Thank you to everyone who has been helping us so far and for your ongoing support. Please continue to speak with us and work with us as we continue to move forward with our enquiries.” Anyone with any information should contact 101 quoting incident 19 of 27 December. You can also report online at www.leics.police.uk or at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

There is a total of up to 70 Firefighters and Officers in attendance. 12 Fire crews are fighting a blaze at a waste recycling plant The Fire Service are currently dealing with a large incident at Sunningdale Road in Leicester. Local residents around Kirby Fields, Braunstone and Braunstone Frith are advise to keep windows and doors closed. The fire service were called just after 8pm tonight. The roads surrounding the incident have been closed by the police. Updated 22:15 incident information. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service have confirmed that 12 Appliances from across the county, a Command Support Vehicle, a Welfare Unit and Incident Support Unit is in attendance. Calls to recycling centre sorting machine involved in fire within Factory. 4 appliances initially attended incident. Upon arrival crews asked for further assistance of 8 appliances to make appliances 12. Further assistance from Command Support. Incident is sectorised and in Sector 1 there are 4 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using 1 hose-reel jet and 2 main jets. Second sector there is 2 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using 1 hose-reel jet and 1 main jet. There is a total of up to 70 Firefighters and Officers in attendance. Picture credit LFRS A Public Statement has been Issued: People in area please keep windows and doors closed. Areas affected, Braunstone, Kirby Fields, Braunstone Frith and Leicester Forest East. Updated News 07:30am The fire is has been extinguish overnight and the Police remains at the site this morning. Information from Fire service. Incident scaled back to 1 appliance. Firefighters monitoring scene checking for any fire spread and looking for hotspots. The cause of the fire Is now under investigation. By Leicester Media © 2022 #LFRS #FireLeicester #LMNews

It is with great sadness that Leicestershire Police announce the death of Simon Cole, aged 55, who recently retired from the force. Simon, who had served in policing for over 30 years, was found dead at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, this morning. This matter has been referred to the Coroner. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Simon’s family and friends at this difficult time. Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “It is hard to put into words how devastating this news is for the entire force who loved and respected Simon. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and we will support them as much as we can. “We want to respect their privacy and the Coroner’s process and would ask that the public and media do so too. “We are offering support to our staff and those who worked closely with Simon. “I know Simon had a great impact on many of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his death will be a great loss to many of the people he worked with. “All we can do is pull together and mourn the loss of a greatly respected man.” A public book of condolence will be established in the coming days via our website. Simon Cole QPM grew up in Leicestershire and took up his position as Chief Constable of the force in June 2010. Having been educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester, Simon joined West Midlands Police on the Graduate Entry Scheme. Simon joined Hampshire Police in 2003 as Assistant Chief Constable where he led on delivering Neighbourhood Policing. He became Deputy Chief Constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as Chief. Locally Simon represented the force on the Strategic Partnership Board, working with partners from all over the force area to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. He had a huge impact on national policing portfolios and held a number of voluntary roles including; Visiting Fellow of the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester Member of the De Montfort University Faculty of Law Advisory Group Vice President Leicestershire Guides Vice President Leicestershire Scouts Vice President of Police Mutual, which aims to support members of the police family Board Member of De Montfort University (2017-2020) Trustee of Care of Police Survivors Charity Member, Oadby and Knighton Multi Academy Trust He was a keen sportsman chairing the Leicestershire Police Sports and Leisure Section, Force Benevolent Fund and Police Sport UK National (PSUK) Lawn Tennis, cricket and Rugby Sections. He was awarded a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Durham, an MA in History from University College, Worcester, and a Diploma in Criminology and Policing from Cambridge University. In 2014 Simon was very proud to be awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University. In 2020, Simon was awarded the Sir Robert Peel Medal by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University. The Sir Robert Peel Medal is awarded annually for Outstanding Leadership in Evidence Based Policing; COVID meant that it was actually presented in 2021.

All entrances to Rally Park in the city have been closed by the police. The Rally Park has been closed after a serious sexual assault A police cordon remains in place this afternoon due to a ongoing police investigation. A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: “Officers are in attendance in the area of Rally Park in Tudor Road, Leicester, following a report of a serious sexual assault this morning (Sunday). Police were called at 10.13am reporting that a sexual assault had happened in the area earlier in the morning. The victim, a woman in her 20s, is with officers, receiving support and assisting with the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are being carried out in the area. Rally Park is cordoned off while officers are at the scene.” #LeicsPolice #TheRally #TudorRoad

Leicester City Council says fraudsters have put fake QR codes on some of its pay and display machines in the city centre. Stickers featuring the codes were discovered at different locations over the last few days, and staff are in the process of removing them. All city centre car parks have been checked and staff are now inspecting other pay and display locations. Ashley Snookes, group manager of the civil enforcement and traffic regulation team said: “We no longer use QR codes at any of our car parks, or for on-street parking, so people using a council parking space should never expect to pay by this method. “We are aware of one person who has scanned one of these codes. If anyone else has done so, they should contact their bank and notify Leicestershire Police. “The safest way to pay is through the PayByPhone app which is on offer at all city council surface level car parks and pay and display locations.” Leicester City Council News - Published on Tuesday, September 17, 2024

The seizures are worth more than £15.3m Almost 440,000 potentially dangerous or non-compliant items have been intercepted and seized by Leicestershire Trading Standards at East Midlands Airport in the last year. The seizures are worth more than £15.3m and include electrical goods which could overheat and cause fires, toys which failed to meet UK safety standards, jewellery with high levels of hazardous metals and cosmetics containing toxic ingredients. All of these unsafe items have now been stopped from making it into shops and online marketplaces. They are all sent to a specialist disposal firm for recycling. The Trading Standards team works in partnership with Border Force on the nationally-funded project at East Midlands Airport. The partnership is intelligence-led, which means that Trading Standards and Border Force can target resources in the areas of highest risk, with potentially unlawful and non-compliant consignments being identified, targeted and then intercepted. Most of the seized items are destined for sale at large online marketplaces, where they are sold on behalf of the importer. East Midlands Airport is the UK’s second busiest cargo airport, handling more than 320,000 tonnes of flown cargo each year. The role of Trading Standards and Border Force is to examine imported items and take enforcement action, to ensure that consumers are not exposed to unsafe and dangerous products. Our Trading Standards team, in partnership with Border Force, carries out vital work which protects consumers in Leicestershire and the wider UK as it ensures that unsafe goods do not make their way into the supply chain. All these products which have been seized either present a danger to the public, or are substandard, so it is crucial that they are intercepted and either made safe or sent for recycling. Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for regulatory services A video showing a Leicestershire Trading Standards officer examining a consignment of unsafe goods.

An appeal is being made for information after a woman died following a collision in Cold Overton on Tuesday (5 May). Police were called to Main Street – north of Cold Overton village – just after 5.20pm following a report that a silver Ford Fiesta had collided with a tree. The driver, a woman in her 80s, was taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment. However, she died as a result of her injuries yesterday (Thursday). An investigation into the circumstances of the incident, led by our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is continuing and officers are asking for anyone who can help to come forward. Detective Constable Charlotte Wright said: “I’d like to speak to anyone who was travelling in the area on Tuesday evening. I’d particularly encourage any motorists with a dashcam to come forward. “I’d also like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or saw a silver Ford Fiesta in the area prior to it occurring. “Any details you’re able to provide could assist our enquiries.” 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*259038. Alternatively call 101. Leicestershire Police News - Published: 13:03 08/05/2026

William Boswell WANTED MAN Detectives are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a man after he breached the conditions of his prison release. William Boswell has failed to attend his mandatory probation appointments and as such is now required to serve the remainder of his prison sentence. The 26-year-old of Barlestone Road, Leicestershire, was sentenced in November 2022 to three years for conspiracy to steal. After serving half of his prison term, he was released on licence in May 2024. In December 2024, after failing to attend an appointment with his probation officer, he was declared as being wanted on recall. Since then, police have carried out extensive enquiries and arrest attempts, but Boswell has not been found. Police are now asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 – quoting crime reference 24*747441. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A root-and-branch review of Leicestershire County Council’s spending has identified potential extra savings of up to £60m. This is on top of £44m of savings already identified in the council’s four-year budget plan. Published (Friday 1st May ), a new report shows that a wide range of measures - including expanding social care teams to boost independence, supporting the care market, intervening to prevent people reaching crisis point and creating more residential care places - would significantly drive down costs. Experts, Newton, who’ve led the review, say between £32m and £60m could be saved and that changes would also boost services for residents. Council leader, Dan Harrison said: Simply put, this is about making every pound of taxpayers’ money work harder. “And not only that. We care and by working smarter, we can do even more to improve our residents’ lives and protect the services they value. “This is a pioneering project and no stone has been left unturned. This work opens up opportunities we can explore to reduce costs further over the next few years. “It’s a starting point and opens the door to further opportunities.” “Residents expect us to grip our budget and reduce costs and that’s exactly what we’re doing.” The review of the authority’s £616 million-a-year net budget began last winter and aims to help close the £85m gap. Newton and the council have analysed and benchmarked millions of lines of data, reviewed cases of hundreds of residents for improvements, worked closely with service leads and weighed up the scale of opportunities, the likelihood of success and the wider benefits for residents. Councillor Harrison Fowler, cabinet member for resources said: “This review is a gamechanger. It takes a huge chunk out of the budget gap and offers the opportunity to reset how the council works. “Clearly, investment would be needed to create change on this scale but it goes with the territory and will bring big, long-term gains for our taxpayers. “Setting up a rolling programme, with plenty of ideas in the pipeline, will leave a legacy for Leicestershire.” Other areas identified by the review include: stepping up support so children can stay with their families getting better value from contracts maximising data, AI and tech Improvements to services will include: better support when someone comes home from hospital more time for staff on front line support improved work with NHS and voluntary partners Next steps will be to create a new major ‘change and improvement’ plan for the council, setting out key initiatives and a resource plan. Changes in SEND funding nationally, coupled with the efficiency review, are on track to significantly reduce the current forecast budget gap - new budget proposals will be published in December. The update will be discussed by the council’s scrutiny commission on 11 May and the cabinet on 26 May – tune in online. Leicestershire County Council News

Bronze sculpture that commemorates the 2.5million South Asian soldiers who served in the British Indian Army during the Second World War will go on display at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery from tomorrow (Friday 8 May). Created by the renowned artist Mahtab Hussain, The Forgotten Army features five uniformed figures that represent the diversity of the British Indian Army – the largest volunteer force in history – including Gurkhas, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. At the front of the sculpture, a female soldier holds the Royal Governor’s flag aloft, while around her, four figures represent the soldiers from South Asian communities who fought valiantly for freedom and democracy. The Forgotten Army goes on display in Leicester as the nation marks the 81st anniversary of VE Day (8 May). Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “The Forgotten Army commemorates the brave men and women from South Asian communities whose service and sacrifice in the Second World War is often overlooked. “It’s poignant that this sculpture will go on display in Leicester on the anniversary of VE Day, when we remember all those who served their nation and helped to end the war.” Artist Mahtab Hussain said: “It’s important that all aspects of this story are told and everyone is included in Remembrance. “The sculpture celebrates the contribution of the largest volunteer army in history and shows the impact of all faiths coming together and fighting for a bigger cause.” The sculpture was unveiled in Liverpool last May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It will remain on display in Leicester until Sunday 14 June, before moving to Huddersfield as part of its national tour. The Forgotten Army is a collaboration between the Royal British Legion (RBL) and think tank British Future. Antony Metcalfe, head of community engagement at the RBL, said: “The contributions from many different countries – including those in the Caribbean and South Asia – have moulded Britain as it is today. The very nature of Remembrance is about inclusivity and unity – all service should be recognised and remembered.” Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said: “We should never forget what we all owe to those who won the Second World War against fascism. South Asian soldiers were the largest volunteer army in history. Ensuring that their enormous contribution is fully recognised in our national story remains important work in progress. “Our national traditions of Remembrance can bring today's modern, diverse Britain together ever more powerfully when we commemorate all of those who served to secure the freedoms that we enjoy today." A roadshow at Leicester Museum on Saturday 16 May will provide lots of opportunities for families to find out more about the contribution of South Asian soldiers. Forgotten Army Roadshow: South Asian Service in the World Wars runs from 11am-2pm and will include fun activities such as building a spitfire, wartime-themed dressing and free arts and crafts. The Forgotten Army opens at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery tomorrow (Friday) and continues until Sunday 14 June. Mahtab Hussain Mahtab Hussain’s work explores multiculturalism and the complexities of life as a British Pakistani living in the UK. His grandfather volunteered to serve, but it was not something he talked about. "As time went on, my dad spoke about my grandfather’s service in Burma. I really wanted to find a way to tell that story. The Royal British Legion’s support has been amazing. The project’s going to have a big impact." More details of the Forgotten Army exhibition can be found here Leicester City Council News 07/05/2026

Preparations are well under way for Leicester’s largest free festival, when more than 60,000 people will head into the city for music, arts and family-friendly fun. Pictures by Leicester Media 2024 Hundreds of artists, performers and traders will take part in the Riverside Festival across multiple stages and sites, ensuring there is something for everyone. This year’s event will feature longer opening hours, a new location for the main stage and a whole host of interactive activities - and it all takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June. Activities will be spread along the River Soar’s Mile Straight, as well as on Bede Park, the De Montfort University campus 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. For the first time, the festival’s main stage will be in a new location at the heart of Bede Park, providing a central focal point for the festival’s many musical performances – and they’re all free. Local talent will take centre stage, encompassing a huge range of musical genres and styles, and the programme will run up until 8pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday, extended from previous years. On the water, visitors can enjoy boat rides, kayaking sessions, dragon boat racing (Sunday only), and a pop-up art gallery along the waterside. This year, Riverside Festival is also benefitting from additional funding from Arts Council England, helping more people to join in with hands-on activities, live shows and workshops, so that families, young people and communities can get creative and get involved. Experience pop-up poetry with Literati Arts, help to create street art with Graffwerk, design your own clothes in upcycling workshops, and explore immersive virtual reality experiences with Metro Boulot Dodo. Arts Council funding is also supporting the involvement of four Young Producers this year who will be working alongside the festivals and events team to deliver this year's event, providing a great hands-on opportunity and insight into the planning and work required to deliver the festival. Food vendors Assistant city mayor for culture Cllr Vi Dempster said: “We’re very proud of the Riverside Festival – it is a real summer highlight in Leicester, and a great chance for people to enjoy a huge range of activities and entertainment, much of it free. “This year’s extra funding from Arts Council England means more interactive entertainment for everyone and more opportunities for us to support local artists, young producers and emerging creative talent. “Among all the highlights, I’m delighted to welcome back Metro Boulot Dodo with a virtual reality experience, as I’m sure lots of people will remember enjoying their spectacular projection onto Leicester Cathedral at Light Up Leicester last year. “Whether you’re a performer, trader, musician or festival visitor, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Riverside.” 2024 Event Video - Riverside by LM News For more details, visit the dedicated website at visitleicester.info/riverside-festival, where you’ll find a full programme, festival map, travel and accessibility information. Leicester City Council News - 07/05/26