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Security measures are being put in place tonight due to the planned protests outside the Athena, where a controversial show by Katie Hopkins is occurring. The Athena theatre in the city's Cultural Quarter is hosting the media personality tonight, Thursday (June 25), despite public calls to cancel the show due to concerns it might cause division in the multicultural city. Leicester Media Online Katie Hopkins, who initially gained recognition on the BBC's The Apprentice and later became a right-wing commentator, is visiting Leicester as part of her Free Range comedy tour. The Leicester branch of Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) organized a protest outside the event, expressing dissatisfaction with Mrs. Hopkins' past remarks, which they consider to be "hate speech." Leicestershire Police said the force is “aware” of the protest and “supports the right to peaceful protest”. They added an “appropriate” policing plan is already in place ahead of this event.

The ongoing investigation into a fire at Thurmaston Shopping Centre has led to the arrest of three teenage boys. Police were called to the shopping centre in Barkby Thorpe Lane just after 4.15am on Saturday 20 June following a report of a fire. Officers attended alongside colleagues from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. No one was injured in the incident. During the past few days, the fire service has been working to establish the cause of the fire and this remains ongoing. Alongside this investigation, police have also been carrying out a number of enquiries and have been treating the incident as a suspected arson. Following enquiries in the area, including reviewing CCTV footage in the area, detectives have arrested two 13-year-old boys on suspicion of arson. They are currently in police custody. Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby said: “The fire service is still working to determine the exact cause of the fire but in order to ensure no possible evidential opportunities are lost, we have been carrying out a number of enquiries and are currently treating the fire as a suspected arson attack. “Part of this work has included speaking to people who were in the area at the time and reviewing CCTV in and around the shopping centre. This has led to the arrest of two boys who will now be questioned by police. “If anyone has any information that could help police with this ongoing investigation, call 101 – quoting reference 26*359496.” Drone image by Leicester Media Online Top Image Credit LFRS Police Update 14:54 24/06/2026 The ongoing investigation into a fire at Thurmaston Shopping Centre has led to the arrest of three teenage boys. Click here for post Leicestershire Police News Published: 13:02 24/06/2026

The Armed Forces Day flag was raised by David Gibbs, who served in the Army as a Royal Military Police officer for 22 years The Armed Forces Day flag is flying proudly at County Hall following a ceremony held on Monday to show support for all our service personnel ahead of the national Armed Forces Day on Saturday. Armed Forces Day honours the huge contribution made by current and former members of the armed forces, their families, reservists and adult cadet volunteers, and is always well supported by the county council. The Armed Forces Day flag was raised at County Hall on Monday 22 June by David Gibbs, who served in the Army as a Royal Military Police officer for 22 years. The annual ceremony, which took place at the Stand Easy memorial, included a welcome by Leicestershire County Council Chairman, Councillor Linda Danks, and an address by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ. Guests at the flag raising included current members of the armed forces, veterans, cadets and representatives from the Royal British Legion. Pupils from the Hall Primary School in Glenfield also took part, with the reading of the poem Victory Bells by Graze Hazard Conkling. The ceremony concluded with prayers led by Reverend David Hover and the singing of the National Anthem. The Armed Forces Day flag will continue to fly at County Hall until after the national Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 27 June, which will be marked by a parade through Leicester city centre, starting from the Clock Tower at 11am. The parade will pass along High Street to Jubilee Square for an open-air Drumhead Service at 11.20am. It will be made up of local veterans, cadets and reservists, serving members of the Armed Forces and the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders. Enderby Band will be playing as part of the Drumhead Service. The event is open to all, and members of the public are very welcome to attend. Leicestershire County Council News Tuesday, 23 June, 2026

A dedicated public spaces team is taking to the streets as part of the city council’s ongoing bid to tackle antisocial behaviour across Leicester. The new team will initially focus on the city centre, supporting the enforcement of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that was introduced last year to crack down on nuisance behaviour. Wearing distinctive blue protective vests, with their role clearly displayed on the back of their jackets, the six officers will have delegated powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2014 to actively engage with those causing a nuisance and use enforcement measures where required. They will also provide a highly visible presence in the city centre, encouraging behaviour change through engagement, support and education. Anyone breaching the PSPO, however, could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100, rising to £1,000, if prosecution leads to conviction . While focussing on the city centre in the short-term, the team’s remit would be expanded to cover surrounding areas from the autumn, if proposals for a further PSPO are approved. Intelligence and data will inform the team’s work, ensuring that the council’s resources are targeted where they are most needed. Residents and businesses can play their part by reporting incidents of antisocial behaviour in their communities, helping the police and the city council to gather the data that they need. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “There’s a general consensus that cities don’t feel as safe as they used to – and that’s something I’m determined to address in Leicester. “The introduction of this new team forms part of the council’s wider work with partners, including the police and the BID, to improve safety and enhance the city’s public spaces for everyone. “This team will provide a visible and coordinated response to the issues that matter most to our communities – from antisocial behaviour to wider public safety concerns. “People who live or work in Leicester can play their part in shaping our community safety priorities by reporting antisocial behaviour, when they witness it. The data we collect will help ensure that our resources are targeted effectively – and help us deliver the improvements that we all want to see.” The new team will work closely with the police and the BID in a coordinated approach. Inspector Ryan Ludlam said: "We welcome the coordinated approach of this new team, which will play a valuable role in deterring antisocial behaviour in the city centre and further aiding crime reduction in the area." BID Leicester director Simon Jenner said: "This new team will be an important addition to the city centre. Their focus on tackling antisocial behaviour is welcomed by our local businesses, and working in partnership with the Police and BID Ambassadors, they are sure to have a positive impact for workers and visitors to the city." The new public spaces team will initially operate in the city centre for 12 hours a day, six days a week. A consultation on a proposal for a Zone 2 Public Spaces Protection Order, covering a number of neighbourhoods adjoining the city centre, has been extended until Friday 3 July to allow more people to comment. A formal decision on a Zone 2 PSPO is expected to be made later this year. Photo caption: Members of the new public spaces team meet City Mayor Peter Soulsby in Town Hall Square today (Tuesday), as they formally start their patrols in the city centre Leicester City Council News Published on Tuesday, June 23, 2026

School children have been getting a taste for tennis at Leicester’s refurbished tennis courts, which are available for families to use throughout the summer. As Wimbledon approaches and puts tennis firmly in the spotlight, a schools’ tennis programme has been giving youngsters the chance to try out the sport, as well as highlighting the 28 refurbished tennis courts available at Leicester Parks. ‘Set for the Future’ is a schools’ tennis programme aimed at increasing physical activity and creating chances for young people to try tennis. To celebrate its progress, last week (on Wed 17 June) pupils from Uplands Junior School visited refurbished tennis courts at Victoria Park to practise their new-found skills. Pupils enjoyed fun, professional coaching sessions, helping them experience tennis on their local courts, and building their confidence to stay active beyond school. In its first year, Set For The Future has already engaged more than 250 pupils in tennis, across an age range of year three and four pupils (aged seven to nine) including groups who are typically under-represented in the sport or who might not otherwise get the chance to try it. A total of 22 members of staff have also been trained in how to deliver inclusive tennis coaching. Set For The Future is funded by the LTA Tennis Foundation and delivered by Inspire Together in partnership with We Do Tennis and Leicester City Council. Assistant city mayor for sports, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “In 2024, we undertook a £420,000 transformation of tennis courts across our city parks. In total, 28 park-based tennis courts were renovated, with improvements including new asphalt surfacing, repainting, replacement nets and new entrance gates. A booking system for the courts and free tennis coaching sessions from We Do Tennis were also introduced. “Since then, we have taken more than 25,000 bookings from 7,000 people, with 700 people using annual passes to regularly use our courts. Our free coaching sessions have also been very popular. “Working in partnership in this way has allowed us to invest in much-needed upgrades and our community tennis courts continue to be really well used. “It’s wonderful to see our city schools also using these facilities so that we can give even more children a chance to try tennis, get active and discover something new. “I hope that over the summer, lots of families will be inspired to have a go at tennis on one of our excellent courts.” Nick Hodges, project lead at Inspire Together, said: “We had a very successful first year of delivering Set For The Future in Leicester primary schools, focusing particularly on Year 3-4 girls and SEND pupils aged 7-11, as they are typically under-represented in the sport. “It was fantastic to see children putting their new skills into action on the impressive refurbished courts. Having a professional tennis coach at each venue added to the excitement and energy of the sessions, and we hope the experience will inspire pupils to continue using these community facilities for many years to come.” To book a tennis court in Leicester, visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LeicesterParksTennis Find out more about free sessions at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LeicesterParksTennis/FreeParkTennis The city council’s full range of sports and physical activity sessions and facilities is online at www.leicester.gov.uk/activeleicester LCC News

In October 2023 a 20-year-old man was subjected to a serious sexual assault in a city park. Today (Wednesday 24 June) the perpetrator was convicted of one count of rape. During the afternoon of 9 October, the victim was sitting on a bench in Abbey Park when he was approached by 43-year-old Islamuddin Talash. The pair briefly spoke about bicycles, with Talash telling the victim he had one that he was willing to give him. Talash then suggested they went to his flat so the victim could look at it. However while they were walking through the park, Talash took the victim into a bush and raped him. Shortly before the incident two teenage boys became suspicious of Talash and his behaviour. They were able to capture footage and an image of him on their phones. The witnesses decided to keep an eye on them and approached the bushes. Talash ran away and they were able to safeguard the victim. An officer working with the investigation team decided to walk through the park and on doing so saw a man fitting the description and image of the suspect sitting on a bench. He was arrested in the park and following further enquiries and medical evidence he was charged with rape. Today, Talash of Westfield Road in Smethwick was found guilty following a trial. Detective Sergeant Sarah Jones was the officer in the case. She said: “The actions of the witnesses on that day were crucial in this investigation, they did absolutely the right thing by acting on their suspicions. “They, along with the victim, deserve enormous credit for giving an account in court that led to today’s outcome. “The two boys were able to provide an image and footage which assisted officers in getting a positive identification. An officer who was working within our team took it on herself to do a walk-through the park and immediately spotted a man and recalled his similarities to the man in the image provided by the witnesses. “He was arrested straight away and charged within hours. This outcome is a testament to the great work that went into the investigation and the strength of evidence secured this result. “The victim was vulnerable, and the defendant used this for his own sexual gratification. We hope that this case reassures the local community and helps the victim put the events of that afternoon behind him.” Talash is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 15 July. There are several different agencies who can offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting. https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences Leicestershire Police News Published: 15:15 24/06/2026

New figures have revealed that the economic impact of the tourism sector in Leicester and Leicestershire is worth £2.676 billion, despite a challenging environment for these businesses. This figure relates to activity in 2025 and is up by 4.62% on the 2024 figure of £2.558 billion. Over 32.5 million people visited the city and county in 2025, this is an increase of 1.65% on the previous year’s figure of 32.04 million, which was 2.4% up on 2023. Of these numbers, the county welcomed 21.95 million visitors whilst 10.62 million visited the city. The number of visitor days rose to 40.17 million, up 1.67% on the 2024 figure of 39.51 million - with 25.67 million visitor days in the county and 14.5 million in the city during 2025. With a challenging sector of cost increases, this is a positive with national figures from Visit England showing domestic tourism struggled in the first half of the year with trips down 7% compared to 2024. The new figures also show that the number of tourism-related jobs has slightly decreased, with more than 22,959 people employed in the visitor economy sector across the city and the county - a decrease of 174 new jobs on 2024 figures. A minor 0.75% dip shows that Leicester's visitor economy is highly resilient. Despite intense national economic pressures that caused widespread distress and job contractions across the UK hospitality sector, Leicester has managed to keep its tourism employment almost entirely stable. The tourism figures for Leicester and Leicestershire are taken from the 2025 Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) survey. A full 12 months of data is needed before the figures can be compiled, so the data always relates to the previous year. These positive tourism results have been welcomed by Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council that both support the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for Leicester and Leicestershire (known as Visit Leicester). Visit Leicester is the Visit England accredited team responsible for promotion tourism across the whole area. Cllr Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor for Culture at Leicester City Council said: “Tourism makes a huge contribution to our local economy, which is why it’s essential we continue to invest in our city centre, promote our heritage, and support our tourism and hospitality sector. “With 10.62 million visitors to the city last year, Leicester is attracting significant interest in our cultural, festival and heritage offer. We are working hard through our Volunteer Tourism Ambassador programme to ensure visitors are welcomed and given the information they need to get the most from their visit. I am confident that we will be welcoming many more visitors to the city in the future.” Councillor Kevin Crook, Leicestershire County Council deputy Leader and cabinet member for tourism, said: "As a county Leicestershire is lucky to have both a history and range of attractions, so to see nearly 22 million visitors last year is fantastic news. “Making both the county and the city attractive to visitors means our local businesses and employers can continue to thrive – that’s why we’re working to ensure Visit Leicester keeps showcasing what we have to offer.” Erika Hardy, Chair of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Advisory Board for Leicester and Leicestershire, said: “We are so proud of what we have to offer visitors and were delighted to launch our new Tourism Growth Plan earlier this year to build on our local pride and strong partnerships. It’s great to see visitor numbers are growing which are so important for our local economy.” FU Media News

Selfless volunteers supporting young people in care A group of volunteers who help vulnerable children in care has seen their numbers hit the century mark. 100 Independent Visitors are now registered with Leicestershire County Council and offer practical and life-changing support. The in-house voluntary scheme allows approved adults to spend a few hours a month with young people in care doing fun activities, such as walking in the park, going to the cinema or eating at a restaurant. NHS worker Sally is the longest-serving Independent Visitor in the scheme. She has befriended and visited two young people over 12 years, supporting them from teenage years to early adult hood. Sally said: “Independent Visitors are there to have some fun, lend an ear and advocate for the young people when needed. ”“I am a constant adult in a young person's life where change has been more of a common feature than consistency. “It also means I am a familiar, friendly face there at every point of change, every move, every new beginning and all the points in between. “Importantly this is noticed by the young people. ”Between them, Independent Visitors have supported over 200 young people in care since 2020. A waiting list has been opened for anyone interested in joining the scheme, with the team particularly interested to hear from men who want to help. No formal experience or qualifications are required to apply, but volunteers must be over the age of 18 and are required to have a full driving license and access to a vehicle. Pre-agreed expenses can be reimbursed for days out and activities. An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken. Anyone interested in joining the waiting list to become an Independent Visitor can find out more on the website, or contact the Fostering Team by emailing fostering@leics.gov.uk(link sends email) or calling 0116 305 0505.

A consultation on a new strategy setting out how travel choices could be improved across Leicestershire is still open for views. Leicestershire County Council’s Enabling Travel Choices Strategy is a long‑term plan looking at how people get to work, school, shops and essential services. Residents, businesses and parish councils are encouraged to take part in the consultation to tell the county council how people travel, the barriers to travelling and what would make the biggest difference to local journeys. Feedback will help to shape future plans and services which could include bus service improvements, better options for walking and cycling and identifying where better traffic management may ease pressures on the road network. Councillor Andrew Hamilton-Gray, cabinet member for highways said: “We want to make it easier for people to get where they need to go and access services. That includes improving everyday journeys, tackling congestion, reducing pollution and making sure transport works for all our residents and different communities. “There’s still time to have your say and we need to hear from all types of people - whether you’re in a town or rural village, your views and experiences matter.” “There’s still time to have your say and we need to hear from all types of people - whether you’re in a town or rural village, your views and experiences matter.” The quick online survey is available until Friday 10th July by visiting our Have Your Say page. Leicestershire County Council News - Tuesday, 23 June, 2026

Detectives investigating an arson at Loughborough Town Hall last month are appealing for information from the audience members who were evacuated. The fire service and police were called to a report a fire around 7.30pm on Wednesday 20 May, moments before the start of a performance of That’ll Be The Day. As part of ongoing enquiries, detectives investigating the incident are particularly keen to speak to any men who exited the toilets shortly before the alarm sounded. DC Jason Waterworth, officer in the case, said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who attended the performance that night and may be able to help with our ongoing investigation – in particular I am trying to trace any men who came out of the men’s toilets just before the fire started. Please come forward if this was you – you may not think any information you have could help but the smallest detail could help.” A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently on police bail. Anyone with information can report online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101 – quoting crime reference 26*292255. Leicestershire Police News - Published : 08:42 24/06/2026

A partnership between local councils and universities that threw open the doors of three university libraries has driven hundreds of new memberships. New figures reveal that thousands of local residents have visited libraries at De Montfort University (DMU), the University of Leicester and Loughborough University since February 2025, when local people became able to join the university libraries for free. The initiative has transformed access to academic library resources for anyone over 18 living, working or studying in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. The partnership - which also involves Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council - gives local residents free membership of all three university libraries. Members can borrow up to 10 books at a time, access specialist academic collections, and use open study spaces seven days a week. Since starting in February 2025, the scheme has attracted 1,708 new members across the three universities, with the University of Leicester welcoming 1,010 new members, DMU 328, and Loughborough 370. Across the partnership, 3,548 books have been loaned to external members since the start of 2025, while Loughborough University Library alone has recorded 2,393 visits from members of the public over the past 12 months. Dr Simon Dixon, associate director for community and heritage at the University of Leicester, said: "By opening our doors more widely, we're creating opportunities for people to discover new ideas, reconnect with learning, and see universities as a resource that belongs to everyone." Alan Brine, deputy director of library and student services at DMU, described the Open Libraries initiative as a natural extension of the university's civic mission. He said: "All of the units came together and said, right, let's put something together. We just say to the public, you can go in any university you like." Cllr Vi Dempster, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for libraries, said: “It’s great to see our partnership with universities doing so well. Our three local universities are an asset to our communities, so it’s wonderful to see so many people taking the opportunity to benefit from their resources. “This partnership is a great addition to the strong offer we have at Leicester Libraries, complementing our citywide presence in local neighbourhoods and the range of free services, events and activities we offer. If you're not already a member of our libraries, please join up now for a warm welcome.” The project also aligns with the National Year of Reading 2026, a UK-wide Department for Education campaign calling on individuals, organisations and communities to make reading a regular part of everyday life. Find out more at goallin.org.uk. To join the Open Libraries scheme, sign up at universitiespartnership.org/open-libraries. Find out more about Leicester Libraries – and sign up for free, if you’re not already a member - at www.leicester.gov.uk/libraries Leicester City Council News - 23/06/26

Back in early April this year, a car accidentally drove into a restaurant on Bell Street in Wigston. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, apart from severe damage to the shop front and interior, causing the business to close for 10 weeks. The owner, May Chan, is pleased to announce the reopening of the restaurant tomorrow, Tuesday, 23rd June, at 12 noon, and would love to see old and new customers walking through the new front door to experience the menu, adding, 'we don't do drive-through' but takeaways we do... She also said this has been extremely challenging for a new business, which has only been open for 7 months, to face this disruption. However, she believes that her dream of opening this restaurant in the heart of Wigston is still very much alive. She also expressed her gratitude to her landlord, suppliers, and the people of Wigston for their support during this long closure. Katsu Chicken Curry It was delicious April 2026 Shokudo offers a diverse Japanese menu. This restaurant offers a variety of dishes and services, including dine-in and takeaway options. It has received positive reviews for its food quality and customer service, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors. Shokudo In Town 13 Bell St, Wigston LE18 1AD Tel 0116 380 0281 Open Tue-Sat 12:00 to 20:00 Follow them on FACEBOOK Here Check out our restaurant reviews