BREAKING NEWS Warrants executed following report of human remains being buried. Officers have executed warrants off Leicester’s Narborough Road following a report human remains may be buried there. The report, which was made by a third party, alleged that human remains may have been buried at an address in Wolverton Road in the 1970s. Gardens rear of Wolverton Road The investigation is currently in its very early stages and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the report. A warrant was executed at the address on Saturday (19 July) and a scene preservation remains in place. A further warrant was also executed at a property in Dumbleton Avenue on Saturday. A further warrant was also executed at a property in Dumbleton Avenue on Saturday An 86-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday in connection with the investigation. She has since been released on police bail while the investigation continues. Officers will remain at both addresses to carry out thorough searches of each property. Detective Inspector Neil Holden, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s major crime team, is leading the investigation. He said: “This is a very complex and sensitive investigation which will take time. I appreciate the news of this investigation will be concerning to the local community and I must emphasise the investigation is in its very early stages as we continue to establish the full circumstances of the report. “Given the serious nature of the allegations which have been made, a scene preservation has been put in place at both addresses to allow officers to carry out a thorough search and secure any evidence that could help our enquiries. “Officers from the West Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area remain in the area to provide further reassurance to the local community. “Please speak to us if you have any information that you think could help us. I would also ask our communities to avoid the sharing of misinformation and speculation. Please only share information which is known to be true. “We will provide further updates to you as and when we are able to and when it is appropriate to do so.” You can report online at leics.police.uk quoting reference 25*422416 or by visiting our Public Portal at mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM… Alternatively you can call 101. #LeicsPolice #NarboroughRoad #WolvertonRoad #DumbletonAvenue

New enforcement powers to penalise drivers for traffic offences on two streets near to local schools will come into force in time for the new term. For an initial period of six months, first offences will result in drivers being issued with a warning notice Leicester City Council will introduce camera enforcement to help tackle drivers who flout restrictions on Northfold Road and Eastcourt Road which border Overdale infant and junior schools, in Knighton. Restrictions on the two school streets prohibit access to motor vehicles during school run times – 8-9am and 2.30-4pm Monday to Friday – except for motorists who have successfully applied for exemption. The measures were introduced at the request of residents and the wider school community in an effort to improve road safety and traffic congestion at the beginning and end of the school day. Despite being clearly signed, and legally backed by traffic regulation order, motorists have continued to contravene the restrictions on a regular basis. Camera enforcement will come into action from Tuesday 7 January 2025 – the first day of the new school term. For an initial period of six months, first offences will result in drivers being issued with a warning notice. Subsequent contraventions will result in drivers being issued with a penalty charge notice. This will be charged at £70, or at discounted rate of £35 if paid within 21 days. Residents on the two affected streets, and eligible parents at the schools, have been invited to apply for exemption. The decision to use camera enforcement follows a consultation with local residents, parents at the Overdale schools and other members of the public carried out in summer 2024. Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport and environment, said: “Camera enforcement can be a very effective way of deterring motorists from committing traffic offences that are dangerous or obstructive for other road users. “That’s why we’re introducing these measures to help enforce restrictions on two school streets close to Overdale infant and junior schools. “The restrictions here were originally introduced following feedback from local residents and families at the schools and it’s important that we do whatever we can to discourage people from ignoring them.” Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, councils can apply to the Government to take on the responsibility for traffic offences, by applying for a designated authority status. This gives councils powers to enforce areas such as box junctions, one-way streets, no-entry signs or other prohibited traffic movements, along with bus lanes, cycles lanes and pedestrian zones for example. Leicester City Council News

Sixteen Thousand festive lights will start going up in Leicester this week as the countdown to Christmas begins. Ahead of this year’s big switch-on event on Wednesday 20 November, the city council’s lighting team will be dressing the city centre with 16,000 low-energy lamps to illuminate the city throughout the festive season. Town Hall Square and around 20 city centre streets will be decorated, in a process taking about four weeks, with work being carried out early in the morning and at weekends to minimise disruption. The lights going up are just the first sign of the Christmas treats ahead. In the second week of November, a mighty 15m Christmas tree will be delivered from the Kielder Forest in Northumberland, to take pride of place at the Clock Tower. A flurry of Christmas trees and the traditional nativity scene will be installed in Town Hall Square. Plus, new for 2024 will be a new Christmas lighting installation to animate the square. The huge 35m-high Wheel of Light will also return to illuminate Jubilee Square, from Friday 8 November until the new year - alongside the city’s popular all-weather real ice rink, which will arrive at Jubilee Square from Thursday 5 December. Another new addition for 2024, on Gallowtree Gate, is the introduction of a Christmas Market – the perfect place for treats, gifts and warming festive food. The market will run from 14 November until 29 December. Leicester’s Christmas lights switch-on kicks off from 5pm on Wednesday 20 November, with activities taking place at key locations across the city. On the Haymarket balcony, BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman will be hosting proceedings with The Apprentice star and DJ, Virdi Singh Mazaria. And at switch-on moment – around 6.30pm - they will be joined for the countdown by Divina De Campo, runner-up of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Wicked Queen of this year’s panto, Snow White, at De Montfort Hall, plus Jack Ballard, the panto dame! Further attractions on the night will include a funfair on Humberstone Gate, plus a 15-piece nutcracker marching band that will lead a trail through the city to switch-on events at the Haymarket Shopping Centre, Highcross and St Martins. If you’re watching from Town Hall Square – a quieter space from which to watch the lights go on – you’ll be the first to see the new illuminations in the square, plus you can listen to traditional brass bands and choirs, which will perform from 5pm–8pm. Assistant city mayor for culture, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Our lighting team is working hard to make sure that Leicester looks magical in time for our big switch-on. It’s always a great event, with thousands of people flocking into the city centre and lots going on to help everyone get into the festive spirit. “Leicester has so much to offer, so whether you want to get your shopping done, celebrate with family and friends, or enjoy festive attractions like our ice rink, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas.” Tickets for the ice rink are on sale via the Christmas In Leicester website. Tickets for Snow White are available at demontforthall.co.uk Full details of everything going on over the festive season are available at christmasinleicester.co.uk

The Free Fare Super Saturdays scheme will provide free travel this autumn on many bus services across the county. As the winter months and holiday season approaches, free Saturday bus travel will help people save money, encourage connectivity, and support combating loneliness and isolation. The scheme is being delivered on behalf of Leicestershire Buses to support Leicestershire County Councils Bus Service Improvement Plan ambitions. Free Fare Super Saturdays when travelling to or from Leicestershire*: October 19 & 26 and November, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Whether you are shopping, dining, or connecting with friends, choose the bus for a more affordable and greener travel option! This offer is inclusive for anyone getting on or off the bus in Leicestershire on the included routes. If you already qualify for free travel, board the bus the usual way. If you are new to using the bus, don’t worry, they are easy to use! When you arrive at the bus stop, signal the bus to stop by holding out your hand, once you board, simply tell the bus driver where you are going, and they’ll do the rest. When your destination is the next stop, ring the bell and wait for the bus to stop. You can also use the journey planner to find the nearest bus stops and services in the area. When are Free Fare Super Saturdays available? The Free Fares offer runs on Saturdays from October 19 to November 30 (included). It consists of seven Free Fare Saturdays. You can travel from the first timetabled service of the day to the last bus. What do I need to do to travel for free? You will need to be travelling on a service included in the scheme and either getting on the bus or off the bus in Leicestershire. When you get on board, simply tell the driver where you are going, and they will do the rest! What services are included and excluded? You can travel for free on the bus services in the table below. Check the Leicestershire Network Maps on the area guides page to see which included services operate in your area. Plan your travel with the journey planner and check operator websites for more details.

Recruit Fosse Park is back this October at Leicester's, Fosse Park, and everyone is welcome. Join brands including Marks and Spencer, Flannels, and Boots to discover available job roles at the popular Shopping and Leisure destination. Head to Unit 3 (adjacent to Next), Fosse Park West on Tuesday 8th October between 11am and 2pm to speak directly with numerous employers. There will be a quiet hour betweer 10am and 11am, for anyone with additional needs and disabilities. The Department of Work and Pensions, and the leading employment charity, Shaw Trust, will be on hand to provide guidance and discuss how they can support your employment journey. This includes information on Universal Credit, and delivering education and training opportunities like CV workshops, and how to polish your interview skills. and make job ofter oathe do bring their CVs and IDs, as some brands will conduct interviews. Nicole Campbell, Senior Asset Manager at The Crown Estate said; "The Crown Estate is proud to enable Fosse Park to host Recruit Fosse Park, an initiative that supports those within the local community and further afield to reach their full potential and find their next opportunity. The recruitment event is not only a great way to assist those looking to start a new career or discover the perfect job role, but a way to support Fosse Park brands to find suitable employees to join their team ahead of the busy festive period." The full list of Fosse Park brands you can expect at the event includes: The Perfume Shop Sofology Boots Isha Patisserie JD Sports Marks & Spencer Flannels

From Saturday 28th September speed camera van enforcement will start at the following new community concern locations: B582 Little Glen Road, Glen Parva Main Street, Stanton under Bardon Bowhill Grove, Leicester Sileby Road, Barrow upon Soar (40mph) Barrow Road, Sileby (40mph) Warren Hills Road, Abbots Oak (40mph) Gooding Avenue, Leicester Glen Road, Newton Harcourt Anstey Lane, Leicester Forest Road, Woodhouse A511 Bardon Road, Coalville (30mph) Bradgate Road, Newtown Linford (30mph) Top Road, Griffydam (30mph) B4116 / Twycross Road, Sheepy Magna (30mph restricted & local order) B4669 Hinckley Road, Sapcote Jonathan Clarkson, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership spokesperson said, “When we receive a ‘Community Concern’ request, we will look at the latest vehicle speeds at the relevant location, in some cases this may include deployment of a covert roadside speed survey. The policy for enforcement requires there to be both a history of injury collisions and evidence of speeding problems collision history before a speed camera can be deployed.” “If data from the speed survey reveals that speeding is not a problem no further action will be taken. If there is both a speeding problem and recent injury collision history at the site, the location will be added to our ‘Community Concern’ site list and will be scheduled for enforcement. This will be subject to suitable and safe parking locations.” “If there is evidence of a speeding problem, but no recent injury collision history at a site, the data will be passed to Traffic Management at Leicestershire Police, who will request speed enforcement from Police Officers from the Local Beat Team, Police Safer Roads Team and / or other Units.” The full list of community concern locations can be found here: speedorsafety.com/camera.../comm… #LLRroadsafety #speedcameravan #RoadSafeLeics

A main city centre car park in Leicester will be closed this weekend while essential maintenance is carried out. Newarke Street car park, which is run by the city council, will be closed to all vehicles on Saturday (14 Sep) and Sunday (15 Sep). Entrances to the multi-storey car park will be closed to vehicles from 3pm on Friday. However, exits will remain open until the normal closing time of 1.30am on Saturday morning. The temporary closure is required while maintenance work is carried out to overhaul the flooring and repair potholes. The car park is due to open as normal from 6.30am on Monday (16 Sep). Signs giving notice of the closures are on display at the car park. Ashley Snookes, Leicester City Council traffic and parking manager, said: “We need to carry out essential repairs to the flooring throughout this busy and well-used car park. The only way we can safely do this is by closing it to all vehicles for a couple of days while the work is completed. We will be working hard to keep any disruption and inconvenience to a minimum.” Haymarket multi-storey car park and other council-managed car parks in the city centre will be open as normal. Full details can be found on Leicester City Council’s website here

Helping to feed families in Lutterworth. A new ‘community fridge’ is helping to bring people together in a Leicestershire town. Based in Lutterworth’s Family Hub, it’s filled with donated food, which members of the community can take for free. It’s the fifth community fridge to be opened by Leicestershire County Council to help reduce food waste and support the community – others are based in Family Hubs in Coalville, South Wigston, Hinckley and Loughborough (Shelthorpe). Since it opened in May, volunteers and ‘customers’ have been sharing recipes, trying new food, cooking with food they have never used before and making meals for neighbours - and even the wider community. Sam Peverett, volunteer development officer at the county council, said: “We get given a lot of fresh items and as a result we’re seeing some people trying fruit and vegetables they’ve never eaten before. “We’ve also seen people swap recipe ideas while waiting for their bags and we know others make meals, or things like strawberry jam, for neighbours from the food. “George Street Church even made hot meals using some of the ingredients, which it then served to the community for free. “Our volunteers have really gelled well, and some have been sharing their own recipe ideas with people. They have been such an asset and have helped to make this all possible.” In the space of a year, the council’s fridges were used by more than 11,000 people across the county and saved around 42 tonnes- the equivalent weight of around 21 shipping containers - of waste going to landfill. Deborah Taylor, county council cabinet member for children and families, said: “It’s great to hear that the Lutterworth fridge is already having such a positive impact. “Food waste is a really big issue across the country but the brilliant thing about community fridges is that people can make use of perfectly good food that would otherwise be thrown away. “We’d like to thank all our volunteers and the businesses who support and help run our fridges. Your support in invaluable.” The council’s community fridges are run thanks to a partnership with the environmental charity Hubbub UK. They’re stocked with donations from local residents, projects and supermarkets. In Lutterworth this includes E and R Tearooms and Sweet Sisters but regular donors also include Greggs, Lidl, Aldi, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose, Milner’s Bakery and The Coop. Lutterworth Community Fridge is based in the Family Hub on Coventry Road LE17 4RB and opens from 10-11.30am Mondays and Wednesdays and 1-2pm on Thursdays. For more information, please visit the Family Hubs Leicestershire page. (Link is external and opens in new window) Leicestershire County Council News Wednesday, 4 September, 2024

The opening of Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum and Visitor Centre – currently under-going a multi-million pound transformation – has been delayed following the collapse of a second contractor working on the project. Elmwood Projects, which was commissioned by the city council to design and manufacture the exhibition and displays for the centre, announced it was going into liquidation earlier this month. Located in Scotland, the company was providing the design, build and installation of exhibition cases, large mosaic displays, object mounts and some of the audio-visual elements for the centre. The news follows the unexpected liquidation of NMCN – one of the biggest construction companies in the Midlands - which was originally brought in to carry out the external works needed to the existing museum building and heritage site. The council managed to appoint Olivetti and Jeakins Weir last year to continue with the construction work, and good progress was being made on the ambitious refurbishment. This new blow to the project is likely to result in some further delay to the opening, although the council hopes this will not be significant. Richard Sword, the council’s strategic director for city developments and neighbourhoods said: “It is very rare for two such well-established companies working on the same project to be hit in this way, but these are very difficult times for the construction industry, with three of the four companies that originally bid for this work now in administration. We sympathise with everyone affected by these company closures. “We are grateful that Elmwood had already completed most of the work we had commissioned." "Leicester already benefits significantly from tourists interested in our 2000 years of history and the discovery of King Richard lll. The new-look museum and visitor centre has the potential to bring in many more thousands of visitors and huge economic benefits to Leicester. "At this point it is difficult to say exactly how this will affect the opening date and our costs, but I am hopeful we can resolve this without too much of an impact.” Following the loss of the first contractor, the council had been working towards an opening date of January 2025. It’s now more likely this will be around summer 2025, although this is yet to be confirmed. The council is planning a celebration of Roman Leicester to tie in with the opening of the museum, details of which will be announced later this year. Leicester city council press release 05/09/24

Work is under way to build a new children’s home in Leicester, boosting the number of council-run placements available for children and young people in care. Leicester City Council has commissioned the new £1.8m home, with backing of £800,000 from the Department for Education. Located in the west of the city, it will be the first children’s home to be constructed in Leicester for more than 40 years. The home will provide purpose-built accommodation for six young people, between the ages of eight and 17, offering five bedrooms with ensuite facilities as well as two semi-independent living flats, a kitchen, lounge, games room and sleeping quarters for staff. The build is the latest phase of work by the city council to expand its in-house provision of places for children and young people who can’t live with their birth families. Work was recently completed to convert two council-owned houses in the south of the city into a children’s home, providing residential care for five young people. The two projects mean the city council will be able to care for more children and young people in-house, increasing the number of council children’s homes from six to eight, caring for up to 48 children and young people. Deputy city mayor for social care, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “We are determined to provide the best possible care for the children and young people we look after. Most children who can’t live with their birth families live with foster carers, but this isn’t right for everyone, and increasing demand for children’s social care services in recent years means there has been a significant rise in demand for residential children’s homes. This is the case across the country. “Providing more children’s homes within the city means children and young people can continue to receive support within their communities rather than them moving away from Leicester. This continuity and stability can be very important to children experiencing major disruption to their lives. “There are also long-term financial advantages to providing more places ourselves.” The new home will feature a range of energy efficiency measures including roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels, and air source heat pumps. It will also serve as a hub for training for social care staff, foster carers and other professionals. Leicester City Council has appointed Loughborough-based Scope Construction as its development partner for the ambitious project, following a competitive tendering exercise. Maz Patel, Managing Director of Scope Construction said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Leicester City Council to deliver their first new build children’s home for many years. “It is great to be breaking ground on this latest project. Scope and our local supply chain take pride in the work we do and we aim to deliver a first-class project for the client and the local community. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the council.” Construction is expected to take around one year to complete, with the new children’s home likely to open in late-2025. Photo: Representatives of Leicester City Council, Scope Construction, A+G Architects and BSP Consulting join Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby (front left) and Maz Patel of Scope Construction (right) for the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Hillview Children's Home.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the death of Bhim Kohli. Mr Kohli, 80, died on Monday 2 September following an incident in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, the previous evening (Sunday 1 September). The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Leicester Youth Court sitting at Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Thursday 5 September). **A person has been charged with an offence and will be appearing in court. Nothing should be posted that could prejudice upcoming proceedings and care should be taken over any comment made.**

In light of National Nest Box Week (14th to 21st February), Barratt and David Wilson Homes are encouraging Leicestershire homeowners to flock to their online quiz to test their knowledge on garden birds. Following the success of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the five star housebuilders have once again shared their Bird House Quiz for homeowners to learn more about their feathered friends, with RSPB vouchers worth up to £100 to be won. Garden birds need a safe place to raise their chicks, and the online quiz shows how residents can open their gardens and give them a home for the season. Prizes to be won are designed to help homeowners make their own gardens wildlife-friendly and do their bit for nature’s neighbours. It comes as part of Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ commitment to supporting wildlife on developments and celebrating their national partnership with the RSPB. Each entrant of the quiz will be able to learn more about a range of birds as they’re asked to match common species to the homes that suit their needs. Martyn Parker, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, said: “As part of our long-term partnership with the RSPB, we always try to give nature a home at our developments and create new habitats. Alongside National Nest Box Week, we hope this quiz can encourage all generations to learn more about wildlife and nature.” National Nest Box Week is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology and aims to encourage more people to help the birds by putting up nest boxes. To test your knowledge, visit the homebuilders’ Bird House Quiz website and enter the prize draw by Friday 23rd February 2024. With RSPB vouchers up for grabs for seven winners, homeowners can make their garden inviting for birds, in addition to other wildlife such as hedgehogs, bees and butterflies. When looking to place a nest box in a garden, it’s important to find a sheltered, shady location, preferably facing north through east to south-east to avoid prevailing winds and strong direct sunlight. Nest boxes also need to be kept out of reach of cats and other predators. There are many ways that residents in the county can help the birds in their garden, such as providing a regular supply of clean water by using a bird bath, providing nest boxes and putting the right bird seed out including flaked maize and sunflower hearts. For details about any developments in the area, visit the websites at Barratt Homes in Leicestershire and David Wilson Homes in Leicestershire. Click here https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/east-midlands/leicestershire/