A Christmas night out in December last year ended with a man being seriously injured after an assault outside a pub in Appleby Magna. Nathan Gothard Sadly, the victim never regained consciousness and died six days later. On Sunday 21 December 2025, David Darke, 66 - also known as Dave to family and friends – was on a Christmas night out at a pub in Appleby Magna when he was punched by 37-year-old Nathan Gothard. Dave fell to the ground and sustained a serious head injury. He was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died on 27 December. Gothard of Church Street, Appleby Magna, was initially arrested on suspicion of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). Following Dave’s death, he was further arrested on suspicion of murder. The court heard how during the evening Gothard was harassing and making unwelcome advances to female members of Dave’s group. Gothard ignored requests from the group to leave them alone, and because of this Gothard was asked repeatedly to leave by staff, and only so after 20 minutes of asking. More than 10 minutes later Dave and his friends left the premises where Gothard was waiting outside, when Dave was punched by Gothard. CCTV footage obtained during the investigation captures part of the altercation which led to Dave’s traumatic head injury. Footage also showed Gothard walking away from the scene to his home which was only a short distance from the pub. Today (Thursday 7 May) at Leicester Crown Court Gothard was found guilty of manslaughter. He is due to be sentenced on Friday 22 May. Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Murder Investigation Team, said: “In those fateful few moments a family have been left devastated, and the perpetrator now faces a lengthy term in prison. “Gothard’s actions that day could have been avoided if he had just walked away. This case highlights how one-punch encounters can result in the loss of life. “Dave’s family have shown immense courage throughout the investigation and legal process; this has been in no way easy for them. We hope this outcome now helps them to come to terms with the events of that night and the loss of their loved one.” In November 2023 the force launched the Walk Away campaign which is aimed at empowering men to look out for the early behaviours in themselves and their friends, which might lead to altercations. We want to encourage peer groups to support each other in making different choices and encourage individuals to recognise those personal trigger points. Leicestershire Police News Published: 14:05 07/05/2026

Police investigating an attempted robbery in Blaby are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident happened at the underpass for the Blaby bypass between Stretton Court and College Road between 5pm and 6pm on Tuesday 28 April. Two 11-year-old boys were approached by two males on e-bikes, who demanded they hand over their pushbikes. When they refused, one of the males produced a knife and caused a cut to one of the boys’ arm. The boys said a woman who was passing by also stopped to try and help. Neither pushbike was not taken during the incident. Detective Constable Katie Burn, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to speak to anyone who might be able to help with our enquiries. “In particular, I’d like to speak to the woman who stopped to help the boys as I believe she may have information that could assist our ongoing investigation. “I’m also appealing for anyone who used the underpass that Tuesday evening and who saw two males on e-bikes in the area to get in touch. “Any information or footage you’re able to provide could assist us.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*244383. Alternatively call 101. Leicestershire Police News Published: 12:56 07/05/2026

The finalists were recognised for their dedication in going above and beyond to help others and their remarkable outstanding personal achievements A group of 16 remarkable young people from Leicester and Leicestershire along with their families and friends joined the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire at County Hall on 30 April 2026 for a ceremony to celebrate their achievements as the finalists of the 2026 awards. Rhianna Reid received the top prize of the evening, becoming the Lord-Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year 2026. This year’s awards evening and dinner was hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, supported by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Col Richard Hurwood DL, Deputy Lieutenants Mrs Sally Bowie DL and Mrs Diana Brooks MBE DL, along with panel members Kay Hardiman and Byron Dixon OBE. The four finalists shortlisted for each of the categories were recognised for their dedication in going above and beyond to help others and their remarkable outstanding personal achievements. The category winners were: Young person of Courage – Eve who lives in the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Young Volunteer (and Young Person of the year) - Rhianna Reid who attends Loughborough College Young Leader - Hamza Tempah who lives in Leicester Young Artist - Olivia Van Der Ende who attends Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College After hearing her name announced as the Young Person of the Year 2026, Rhianna said: “When I won the Young Volunteer Award 2026, to be honest Mike (Kapur) looked at me before he said it and even after he said it, I was completely shocked, I couldn’t quite believe that I was hearing my name. Then when my name was read out as the overall Young Person of the Year my heart was beating so fast, I just couldn't believe it, I was so shocked!” Once again, our city and county’s young people are an inspiration to us all. It is always a privilege for me to host this annual awards event and share these extraordinary young people’s stories with our guests and supporters. Their bravery, creativity, strength of spirit and selflessness continues to amaze me. As Lord-Lieutenant, I am determined to make sure that the individual talents and outstanding contributions of every one of our finalists are recognised and appreciated more widely within our communities now and in the future. All too often our young people go unnoticed by the wider community. I hope that these awards will continue to offer an opportunity to shine a spotlight on them, as they have done since they were first introduced back in 2006. As we look forward to celebrating the 20th year of these awards, I would encourage anyone who knows a young person they think deserves recognition and encouragement for their endeavours to look out for details of the 2027 awards later in the year. The awards are sponsored by a variety of organisations offering services to young people and are supported by Leicestershire County and Leicester City Councils, together with universities and the business community, and seek to identify and reward the very best examples of achievement by young people locally. For more information visit the Lord-Lieutenant's page. (Link is external and opens in new window) About the awards scheme A panel of judges which included young people, chaired by the Lord-Lieutenant, considered all nominations meeting the criteria for the award. The judges shortlisted four young finalists in each category of the award. The finalists each received a framed certificate together with a prize. Category winners each receive a prize to the value of £500. The overall Lord-Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year also receives a special trophy. More than 80 nominations were received for this year’s Lord-Lieutenant’s awards. 2026 CATEGORY WINNER CITATIONS Young person of Courage - Eve is 18 Years old Eve founded Let's Make A Difference as a result of her experiences with selective mutism and autism, which left her unable to speak when she began high school. During the pandemic, she was encouraged to use British Sign Language as an alternative communication method. After learning it, Eve taught a friend, and soon her teachers, classmates, and family members expressed interest in learning as well. Eve never wanted another young person to feel like they didn’t have a voice, but recognised that not everyone had the same capacity to learn in a structured way. Eve created Let’s Make a Difference to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to communicate and thrive, even when spoken language did not come naturally. Her SEND advocacy developed organically from her own experience with special educational needs. Today, Eve has hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple social media platforms, including more than 750,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares one sign each day in Sign Supported English to help promote inclusive and effective communication. Recently, Eve became a patron of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, using her platform to raise awareness of important social issues and speak out against bullying. Eve has shown true commitment to promoting empathy and inclusivity in her videos, encouraging viewers to respect one another and to always choose to be kind. Eve is a true inspiration to all young people and especially to those with special educational needs, as well as to their families, and professionals. Young Volunteer (and Young Person of the year) - Rhianna Reid is 18 years old and attends Loughborough College Rhianna is a young carer for her dad and sister. During her engagement with youth workers at Leicestershire County Council, she has had a significant impact on services for young carers. She balances this volunteering alongside a college course, working, learning to drive and her caring responsibilities, always striving to do more to support others around her. Through the support that Rhianna received, she recognised her own resolve to help others in a similar situation. She has grown from a shy individual to bravely sharing her own lived experience, showing others that they are not alone. She presented her personal story to more than 100 people to raise awareness of what a young carer’s life might look like, receiving a standing ovation for the honesty and vulnerability that she showed. Rhianna is committed to raising the profile of young carers and improving the support given to others. She dedicates her free time to designing and developing training for people who may encounter young carers to ensure they get the support they need. She has developed and delivered presentations, posters, poems, and resources for professional use and training. She goes above and beyond to ensure projects she is involved with are produced to the highest quality, and her impact on raising awareness of the challenges faced by young carers is immeasurable. The selflessness and resilience that Rhianna has shown in sharing her life and journey as a young carer is nothing short of incredible, and her continuous determination to improve support for young carers is truly inspirational. Young Leader - Mohammed Hamza Tempah is 16 years old and lives in Leicester. Hamza has shown real leadership as a newcomer to the Care Experience Consultants group within Leicester City Council, stepping up to lead the younger children in care council and shaping engagement with the corporate parent board. Hamza has taken lead on a Safer Spaces Project supported by Bernardo's for black and brown young children in care, leading on the focus group to ensure that the voices of young people from minority backgrounds are heard and respected. Following this, Hamza took an opportunity provided by Coventry University to work with them to create a toolkit and report for professionals to be delivered for training purposes. Through this project Hamza is leading not only his peers in the Care Experience Consultants, but also adult professionals, teaching them what to take into account to make safer spaces for young people in care. Hamza took lead in looking over the report and toolkit and gave feedback to Coventry University where changes needed to be made. This led to Hamza being invited to attend the House of Lords to present the report, where he spoke eloquently and powerfully about his experiences in care and the effect that inappropriate placement had on him. His presentation highlighted the importance of creating safer spaces for young children in care, and the structural barriers that still exist in the system. Hamza’s dedicated leadership has ensured that this piece of work will provide a voice for black and brown young people in care locally and nationally, and will have lasting benefits for future generations. Young Artist - Olivia Van Der Ende is 17 years old and attends Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College. Olivia has had a deep love of drawing and painting from a very young age and now dedicates an extraordinary 20 to 30 hours every week to developing her practice. She works with a level of discipline, focus, and commitment far beyond her years, driven by a clear ambition to become a professional artist. This dedication has already resulted in significant achievement, including a Grade 9 at GCSE Fine Art and her current studies in A Level Art, Design and Craft, where she continues to push herself creatively and technically. Olivia is best known for her portrait work, particularly her ability to capture emotion through facial expression and the intensity of the eyes. Her work demonstrates both technical skill and emotional depth. Her portfolio shows impressive breadth, including highly detailed pencil drawings, expressive acrylic paintings, and more recently oil paintings, a challenging medium which she has embraced with enthusiasm and confidence. Her achievements include a solo exhibition in her local village, showcasing a body of work to the public, and being a two-time winner of the Attenborough Open Award, with her winning pieces exhibited at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. These accomplishments reflect both the quality and consistency of her work. Olivia’s commitment, work ethic, and passion for art are truly exceptional. She works incredibly hard, continually strives to improve, and has already achieved more than many artists twice her age.

Leicester City Council’s standards hearings sub-committee found that Cllr Patrick Kitterick, Green party member for the Castle ward, breached the code of conduct by failing to treat others with respect at a meeting of Full Council on 18 September 2025. It was found that comments made by Cllr Kitterick regarding a fellow councillor taking member’s allowances were unwarranted and irrelevant to the debate. This was considered disrespectful and intended to humiliate. It was recommended that Cllr Kitterick send a written apology to the councillor in question. It is also recommended that he attend training on the city council’s code of conduct. The findings of the hearing panel, held on 21 April 2026, were endorsed at a meeting of the city council’s standards committee last night (7 May). A report detailing the finding has now been published on the council’s website, as part of the agreed sanctions against Cllr Kitterick. A separate complaint against Cllr Kitterick concerning disrespect displayed towards another councillor at the same meeting was not upheld. The panel found that, although the comments were offensive and designed to embarrass, they were broadly related to the issue under debate and therefore benefitted from protection afforded to political expression under Article 10(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Cllr Susan Barton, chair of the standards committee, said: “Our investigation of this complaint found that Cllr Kitterick did not conduct himself in the manner we expect of our elected members, and as set out in code of conduct. “It is right that our findings be made public so that people have confidence that disrespectful behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated and has no place in our council chamber. “People who serve our communities should never be subject to personal abuse.” Prior to the investigation by the standards hearings sub-committee, Cllr Kitterick was invited by the city council’s Monitoring Officer to resolve the complaints informally by apologising, but he declined to engage. A full report is available on the city council’s website here This is the second time that Cllr Kitterick has been censured for breach of the city council’s code of conduct in the last year. Leicester City Council News Published on Thursday, May 7, 2026

An investigation is continuing today (Wednesday 6 May) following an attempted theft of an ATM in Birstall. Police were called to premises in Sibson Road just before 12.15am following a report of a burglary at a building society. When the first officers arrived, the suspects were still at the scene and began attacking the police car. Pictures by Leicester Media Copyright 2026 A group then left Sibson Road in a grey Audi RS6. No injuries were reported. THIS VIDEO CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS The car then left along the A6 Loughborough Road and headed towards Syston on the A46, making off from police. Several items that were believed to have been thrown from the car were found on the roadside. A scene preservation remains in place in Sibson Road between the junctions of Loughborough Road and Stonehill Avenue. No arrests have been made at this time. Detective Inspector Nathan Paddison, from our Complex Investigation Team (CIT), said: “Our investigation into the circumstances of this incident and establishing what, if anything, was taken is continuing today. “I’d ask anyone who has information or footage that could assist us to come forward as soon as possible. “This includes anything recorded on a doorbell, CCTV or dashcam or anyone who saw or heard anyone acting in a manner that seemed unusual or suspicious in Sibson Road or the surrounding areas.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*259322. #LeicsPolice #Birstall #SibsonRoad

Woodland crafts, ranger activities, amphitheatre shows, outdoor pursuits and more on offer from 23-31 May 2026 CONKERS is offering a range of family-friendly craft and ranger-led activities during this year’s Whit Week (23-31 May 2026). With an immersive Enchanted Forest experience theme, families can enjoy woodland crafts, amphitheatre shows, the Conkachoo train, 4D cinema film, ranger activities and much more. During the week, there will be shows such as Welcome to the Enchanted Forest and Fudge & Co – Exotic Animal Encounters. CONKERS rangers will be hosting activities including sensory art, bushcraft, woodland crafts and bug hunting, with a range of outdoor pursuits also on offer - swan pedalos, archery and kata-canoeing. In Creatives Corner, children can paint a pot or they can reach new heights on the super-high wooden structured Ropes Course. There are also a number of imaginative play zones to enjoy. More information on the activities taking place during Whit Week can be found at www.visitconkers.com/may-june-school-holiday-activities/ Tickets for CONKERS can be booked online at www.visitconkers.com/visiting/times-and-prices/ or by calling 01283 216 633.

Phoenix, Leicester's independent cinema and art centre, is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £555,000 from the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund 2026-29 to engage new and diverse audiences, expand our Access Cinema programme, and launch our new Green Screen programme focused on environmental sustainability. This funding will support a major audience development project to engage underrepresented communities across Leicester, working in partnership with co-curators and local organisations to diversify programming and build community relationships to grow and retain new audiences for independent cinema and film culture. The three-year award will also support Phoenix as we move forward with key initiatives that will raise our national profile as a sector leader in accessible cinema, community engagement and environmental stewardship. Phoenix CEO Sarah Vallance says: “Phoenix is grateful to BFI for their continued support for our work to make cinema accessible to everyone through a range of initiatives to reach underrepresented communities, some of whom may face specific barriers to their engagement. Support from BFI is instrumental in ensuring that Phoenix can continue play an important role in the UK’s independent cinema sector, and we are pleased have received this funding alongside other major independent cinemas across the UK – including our East Midlands neighbours at Broadway (Nottingham) and QUAD (Derby)." Sarah-Jane Meredith, Senior Manager – National Lottery Audiences Projects Fund says: “We are delighted to support Phoenix via a three-year award. After a period of change, including completing a major capital project, Phoenix is now poised to raise its profile within the UK exhibition sector as a committed champion of accessible screenings, as well as developing new audiences via its Green Screen film programme."

In 2025 more than £1.2 million was lost by people duped by fraudsters exploiting online relationships. On Tuesday 5 May a national awareness campaign was launched by the City of London Police asking people to remain cautious when forming relationships online and be alert to warning signs. Romance fraud scams involve people being duped into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship. They use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise alarm bells. These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit the victim if they are overseas. Scammers will often build a relationship with their victims over time. Locally, in 2025 the force received 138 reports of romance fraud. New figures by the City of London Police revealed 10,784 reports were received nationally with victims losing more than £102 million. Across the country overall losses equate to almost £280,000 every day, with individual victims having an average of £9,500 stolen from them. In some cases, reported individual losses reached as high as £1 million. Paul Wenlock, from the force’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “We welcome any campaign that protects people from scams such as romance fraud. It is concerning that more than 130 people were duped by the unscrupulous criminals in the last financial year. These individuals’ prey on people and use any tactic to gain their trust. “We would urge people to remain vigilant to these approaches and if they have any concerns to not engage with the perpetrators and report their suspicions to the police or to Report Fraud. (previously known as Action Fraud).” Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the Lead Force Operations Room at the City of London Police, said: “Romance fraud is particularly harmful because it targets trust and emotional connection. Offenders will often spend significant time building what appears to be a genuine relationship before attempting to exploit their victim financially. “While the monetary losses can be substantial, the emotional impact is often just as damaging. This crime can affect anyone, and by reporting it, victims help us build intelligence, disrupt offenders and protect others from harm.” Analysis shows people aged 55 to 74 suffered the greatest financial losses, accounting for almost half of the total amount stolen. Although men submitted a higher number of reports overall, women experienced greater financial losses, making up just over 40 percent of the total value reported. Romance fraud remains closely linked to online platforms, particularly social media and dating sites, where offenders can easily create convincing false profiles. Investigators are also seeing increased use of AI‑generated images and messages to support fraudulent identities. In many cases, romance fraud is linked with fake investment opportunities, including cryptocurrency, in hybrid frauds which further increase the financial risk to victims. As part of its annual romance fraud campaign, the City of London Police is urging the public to remain cautious when forming relationships online and to be alert to warning signs: Individuals who develop relationships very quickly or express strong feelings early on Excuses not to meet in person or to avoid live video calls Wanting to send money, cryptocurrency or gift cards to someone you have not met face‑to‑face Talk of investments, medical emergencies or travel costs You feel you are unable to or don’t want to talk about the relationship with friends or family The person you are communicating with doesn’t like it when you use ways to protect yourself from fraud Make sure you: Speak to a trusted friend or family member if you want to send money Reverse-image search profile and other photos you are sent Actively let the person know you are fraud aware and will be protecting yourself (if they don’t like it, this is a key warning sign) If you want to move money, listen to your bank and follow their advice to stop if they tell you they are concerned. As part of its ongoing work to tackle romance fraud, the City of London Police has collaborated with Associate Professor of Criminology and Forensic Linguist, Dr Elisabeth Carter. This collaboration has been instrumental in strengthening understanding of the language used in romance fraud and in shaping clearer, more effective advice for victims. The City of London Police looks forward to continuing this work as part of its wider efforts to prevent romance fraud and support those affected. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to report it to Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If money has already been transferred, they should contact their bank immediately. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101. Every Report Counts. Visit Stop! Think Fraud for more information on types of fraud and ways to protect yourself from them. visit https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/

Leicester's coolest festive attraction is now open and ready to welcome skaters, as part of the city’s countdown to Christmas. The Jubilee Square ice rink will be open until Monday 2 January, with sessions available seven days a week except Christmas Day. Skating will start at 10am on most days, with the last session of the day starting at the new later time of 9pm, due to popular demand. Ticket prices start at £5 per person and can be booked in advance at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk But you don’t need to be a skater to get into the festive spirit at the Jubilee Square ice rink. This year, it features a new indoor Alpine-style tavern that’s open for anyone to drop-in and enjoy a festive drink and a seasonal snack while the skaters glide by. Treats on offer will include hot and cold drinks from local roasters The Coffee Counter, fish and chips with an Indian twist from The Cheeky Maharaja, New York style cookies from Leicester-based Dollies Cookies, BrewDog beers, and hot food from Burgers & More by Joseph Owen. The Jubilee Square Christmas ice rink is be enclosed in a huge marquee so skaters can enjoy a session on the real ice, whatever the weather. Skate hire and a 45-minute session on the ice will cost £12 for adults, with a £2 discount at off-peak times, which include the new 9pm sessions. Tickets for children, senior citizens and students are priced at £9.50, and £8.50 off-peak. Discounts are available for groups of four or more. A new super-off-peak ticket has also been introduced that will allow people to skate for just £5 at set times. This will be available for most sessions between 11am to 4pm on weekdays during the first two weeks. Skating aids for young children will be available to hire at the ice rink, subject to availability. Wheelchair users can join in the fun on the ice rink at any session. Up to 225 skaters will be able to take to the ice during most sessions but, as in previous years, capacity will be limited to 100 skaters for designated quiet sessions for people with autism or other special needs. Tickets to skate can also be bought from the Visit Leicester Centre at 4a St Martins, or from the ticket office at the ice rink in Jubilee Square, but this will be cash only. Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair, who leads on leisure and culture, said: “The return of the Jubilee Square ice rink means the countdown to Christmas in Leicester is well under way. “This year, due to popular demand, we’ve extended the opening hours to introduce a new off-peak session starting at 9pm. We’ve also introduced a heavily discounted super-off-peak rate when people can skate for just £5. And for the first time, people will be able to skate on New Year’s Day. “But the ice rink is just one of the Christmas cracker full of festive attractions on offer in Leicester.” Santa and his elf will be ready to welcome children to their snow-covered chalet, in its new home in Town Hall Square, from Saturday 3 December. Visits will be free of charge – and every child will receive a small gift. Santa in the Square, will be open every day until Friday 23 December. Opening hours are 11am-2pm and 3pm-6pm on Saturdays, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm on Sundays, and 12noon-2pm and 3pm-6pm Monday to Friday. Other festive attractions in the city centre include a funfair on Humberstone Gate and the giant 34m-high Wheel of Light in Jubilee Square. A spectacular festive Paint to Pixel animated mural which will be projected in Green Dragon Square every evening from Saturday 3 December until Christmas Eve. The Paint to Pixel Christmas edition is presented by BID Leicester and created by Metro Boulot Dodo. The city council has also teamed up with Gem Radio to install talking Christmas post boxes in the city centre. Children will get a special message as they post their letter to Santa and may get a surprise from the Gem breakfast show with prizes on offer. The talking post boxes will be at Town Hall Square grotto, Jubilee Square ice rink, Humberstone Gate funfair and Haymarket Shopping Centre, until Thursday 15 December. A festive trail map showing the location of all the key Christmas attractions, along with further details of events and activities, is available online at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk Leicester City Council News

Leicester’s real ice rink opens in Jubilee Square tomorrow (Thursday), so people can now start planning their visits to the city’s standout Christmas attraction. Opening at 5pm on Thursday (2 December), the ice rink will be enclosed in a giant marquee so that skaters can enjoy a session on the ice, whatever the weather. Anyone who’s quick off the mark can still pick up a bargain for the rink’s two preview days – Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December – when skating costs a flat rate of just £5 per person. Skating aids for young children – in the shape of penguins and seals – will be available and can be hired on the day at the ice rink, subject to availability. Wheelchair users can join in the fun on the ice at any session at any time, while quiet sessions for people with autism or other special needs will take place at 1pm on 20, 27 and 29 December. There will also be themed sessions that all the family will enjoy, starting with a visit from The Snowman™ on opening day (Thursday), and everyone’s favourite Christmas tunes with Gem Radio from 6pm on Friday (3 December), featuring DJ Dan Wood. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “If you’re coming into Leicester for shopping, a night out, or just to enjoy our festive lights, I hope you’ll find time to have a spin on our ice rink and discover all that the city has to offer this Christmas.” It took around 10 days for contractors working for the city council to construct the 40m x 17m ice rink in Jubilee Square. Around 15,000 gallons of water have been frozen to create the 3-inch-thick skating surface. Standard ticket prices remain unchanged from 2019, with individual adult and child tickets priced at £10 and £8.50 respectively. Group tickets (four or more people) will benefit from discounts, so an adult with three children can skate for £33, while skating at off-peak times is a flat rate of £7. People can book their 45-minute sessions on the real ice rink via Leicester’s dedicated Christmas website, from the Visit Leicester information centre inside the King Richard III Visitor Centre on St Martins, or from the ice rink ticket office in Jubilee Square. Leicester’s Jubilee Square ice rink will be open from 5pm on Thursday (2 December) until Monday 3 January 2022. It will be open every day, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information, and to buy your tickets, go to www.christmasinleicester.co.uk/ice-rink/. People heading for the city centre from outside the city are encouraged to use Leicester’s Park & Rideservices. A return ticket for up to five people in one car costs just £3. With COVID-19 infection rates still high, and the emergence of the new Omicron variant, the city council is asking people to do a quick test before coming to the ice rink, or attending any Christmas events. Face coverings must now be worn in shops and on public transport, and should be worn whenever you’re in a crowded space. More information about Christmas in Leicester is available at christmasinleicester.co.uk

Leicestershire Police has published a new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan, outlining how it will work with partners and communities to prevent and reduce ASB across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland over the next three years. The plan supports the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a key commitment within the government’s Safer Streets mission, which places tackling anti-social behaviour at the heart of local policing. The new action plan sets out how the local partnership will take a coordinated, evidence‑based approach to understand local issues, target hotspot areas and protect those most affected. Superintendent Stephen Bunn, ASB lead for Leicestershire Police, said: “This action plan takes a whole system approach, giving clear direction on how anti-social behaviour will be tackled over the next three years, using evidence, data and structured problem‑solving to target the harm that has the greatest impact. “It sets out how the partnership will work together to identify hotspots, protect repeat and vulnerable victims, and apply the right tools and powers consistently and proportionately. “By strengthening case management, risk assessment and joint action through local partnerships, we are focused on preventing ASB early, intervening effectively where it persists, and improving outcomes for victims and communities.” The plan will be governed by the local Strategic Partnership Board (SPB) which includes representation from a wide range of partners including Leicestershire Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, all local authorities, the Integrated Care Board, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the Probation Service and local voluntary and community sector organisations. This partnership approach ensures shared leadership, accountability and decision‑making at a strategic level, with delivery routed through Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), Joint Action Groups (JAGs) and local problem‑solving arrangements. It ensures ASB is tackled consistently, proportionately and collaboratively, rather than by policing alone. Jane Moore, chair of the Strategic Partnership Board Executive, made up of partners from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, working together to reduce violence and harm and create safer communities said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a real impact on how people feel about their neighbourhoods and town and city centres. Tackling it effectively requires strong partnership working, early intervention and listening to the concerns of local communities. “This action plan sets out how councils, the police and partners will work together to address the causes of ASB, support residents and businesses, and act where problems persist. By combining local authority powers with neighbourhood policing and community engagement, we can make a meaningful difference for people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.” A major focus of the plan is neighbourhood policing, with named local officers working closely with communities, councils, housing providers, businesses and charities to solve problems before they escalate. Read the plan here: ASB action plan Leicestershire Find out more about ASB, including how we deal with ASB and how to report here: Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) | Leicestershire Police

Credit Leicestershire Police Officers are appealing for help to identify several men as part of an ongoing investigation into a distraction burglary. The incident happened in Leicester Road in Loughborough just before 4pm on 28 March. Five men went into a shop, with four of them choosing and buying items before continuing to walk round the shop. After they left, it was established that the fifth man had used a crowbar to force access to an adjoining residential property. PC Tizzie Greene, the investigating officer, said: “From enquiries carried out following this incident, I believe the men pictured may have information that could help. “If you recognise them and know who they are – or you’re one of these people – please get in touch. Anything you can tell us could assist our investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*182718. Alternatively call 101.