Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps backs consumers as offensive launched to crack down on rogue energy suppliersEnergy suppliers told they must stop the practice of forced fitting prepayment meters as the answer to families struggling to pay bills, following a huge surge in cases. The Business Secretary asks suppliers to share data on the number of warrants they have requested for this purpose to name and shame worst offenders Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has today (22 January 2023) pledged to crack down on the mistreatment of energy users by suppliers, following reports showing some are doing nowhere near enough to support vulnerable customers. He has written to energy suppliers calling on them to stop the harmful and anxiety inducing practice of forcibly moving consumers over to prepayment meters without taking every step to support consumers in difficulty. The Business Secretary is asking suppliers to voluntarily commit to stopping this practice and holding their feet to the fire by demanding they share the number of warrants they’ve applied for in recent months. He wants to see much greater efforts from suppliers to help consumers in payment difficulties before leaping to the extreme of forced prepayment switching, such as offers of additional credit, debt forgiveness or tools such as debt advice. In his letter, he has asked suppliers to discuss possible further action they can take to support customers and avoid forced fitting. This action is part of a drive to increase transparency around prepayment meter installations, to track down the worst culprits and find out which energy companies are trigger happy in applying for them. Courts are being overwhelmed with applications for warrants as they continue to mount, with reports that huge batches are being approved in a matter of minutes. The Business Secretary is working with Ofgem and the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure that the process by which suppliers bring these cases to court is fair, transparent and supports vulnerable customers. Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Grant Shapps, said: "Suppliers are clearly jumping the gun and moving at risk customers onto prepayment meters before offering them the support they are entitled to – I simply cannot believe that every possible alternative has been exhausted in all these cases. "I am deeply concerned to see reports of customers being switched to prepayment meters against their will, with some disconnected from supply - and quite literally left in the dark. "Rather than immediately reaching for a new way to extract money out of customers, I want suppliers to stop this practice and lend a more sympathetic ear, offering the kind of forbearance and support that a vulnerable customer struggling to pay should be able to expect. "This follows reports that the number of customers switched to prepayment meters has soared in recent months, and in many cases unwillingly and without the offer of support. In some instances, this has led to vulnerable customers having their gas and electricity supplies cut off with little or no notice. Prepayment meters allow customers to pay for gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis and serve an important function by helping the avoidance of debt and court action. A moratorium on forced prepayment switching could lead to an increase in bailiff action and so the Government wishes to avoid going down this route. Under Ofgem rules forced switching to prepayment must only ever be a last resort but, with the nation battling with energy prices, more have struggled to pay their bills and been forced installations and self-disconnection. In recognition of this, some energy suppliers are already taking steps to support consumers such as by pausing remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode or providing additional credit to customers struggling to pay. The Business Secretary wants all suppliers to step up this kind of support to avoid resorting to forced fitting. Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart said: "Switching users onto a prepayment plan should only ever be a very last resort and suppliers have a duty to exhaust all other avenues. It cannot be right that, at a time when consumers need compassionate treatment more than ever, so many are being let down in this way. “The Government will continue to do all we can to ensure families and households stay warm this winter and we’re taking urgent action to bring about greater transparency when it comes to bad energy supplier practice. "Concerns were also raised around the low number of vouchers being redeemed under the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme – meaning many vulnerable households had not had cash knocked off their energy bills. Suppliers are urged to make every attempt to make sure this happens, with the Government to publish a list of supplier redemption rates - showing who is meeting their responsibilities and who needs to do more. The Business Secretary is worried about the low uptake of customers on traditional meters in prepayment mode and has demanded more transparent reporting of voucher redemption rates. He has encouraged traditional meter replacement with smart meters as they are able to receive government support payments automatically and detect self-disconnection. Mr Shapps has written to Ofgem to ask that they do more to make sure suppliers protect vulnerable consumers. This includes revisiting their approach to enforcing supplier compliance, as well as the urgent publication of recent investigations outcomes into vulnerable customers. The Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart has asked energy suppliers, Ofgem, Energy UK and Citizens Advice to meet with him at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss matters further next week. The five-point plan to tackle bad behaviour by energy suppliers comprises the following actions: A call for suppliers to voluntarily stop the practice of forced prepayment switching as the answer to households struggling to pay bills and make greater effort to help the most vulnerable. Request of the release of supplier data on the number of warrant applications they have made to forcibly enter homes to install meters. Urgent publication of a list of supplier redemption rates for the Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers - showing who is meeting their responsibilities and who needs to do more. The launch of a Government public information campaign reminding and informing eligible consumers to redeem their Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers and how to do so. This will be through both advertising and direct communication channels, targeting the most vulnerable and those most likely not to have redeemed vouchers. Coordination with Ofgem ensure they take a more robust approach to the protection of vulnerable customers and conduct a review to make sure suppliers are complying with rules. The five-point plan forms part of a wider effort to ensure that energy users are protected at this challenging time and the Government is exploring longer term measures to address this.

With local elections taking place across the county in May residents will, for the first time, need to show photographic ID when voting. The Electoral Commission is urging people to make sure they have an accepted form of ID in order to vote. Accepted forms include a UK, European Economic Area or Commonwealth passport or driving license. An older person’s bus pass and blue badge are also acceptable. Voters will also be able to use ID that has expired, as long as they are still recognisable in the photo. A full list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission website. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free Voter Authority Certificate ID online or by completing a paper form. More information about this year’s local elections is available by visiting your local district or borough council’s website.

A Major programme of improvements to one of Leicester’s ‘most confusing’ junctions and its connecting roads will begin next week. Leicester City Council is planning a major redevelopment of the A50/FiveWays junction, in northwest Leicester, to help make it safer for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, and improve the busy route for buses. As part of the project, the council will completely redesign and overhaul the busy FiveWays junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road. Work will be carried out in phases to help minimise disruption, and the overall project is expected to be complete by spring 2024. The first phase of work is due to begin on Buckminster Road from Monday 23 January. This will involve narrowing its junctions with Blackbird Road and Colwell Road; the installation of a new raised table on Colwell Road to improve safety for people walking and riding bikes; and existing car parking on verges close to the shops on Buckminster Road will be removed. New landscaping will also be introduced. This initial phase of work is expected to take around six to eight weeks during which time a lane restriction will be required on part of Blackbird Road, and Buckminster Road will be closed to through traffic. Local diversions will be in place. The current experimental road closure on Buckminster Road will also be removed at the start of the FiveWays redevelopment work, and a review and surveys will be carried out after the highway works are completed to fully understand the impact of the new junction on traffic flow on Buckminster Road and surrounding streets. A second phase of work – which will involve improvements to Fosse Road North between the FiveWays junction and Stephenson Drive – is due to begin from Monday 13 February. This will involve removing the existing mini roundabout at the junction of Fosse Road North and Stephenson Road and replacing it with a signalised junction, and widening the road to help provide a new bus only lane on Fosse Road North on the approach to FiveWays junction. A new cycle track will be created and raised table crossings will be installed across Bonchurch Street and Central Road to improve pedestrian safety. Access to Rally Park will also be improved. Work on Fosse Road North is expected to take around 14 weeks to complete and will require the road to be closed to southbound traffic. Well signed diversions will be in place. Some bus services will also be affected, with diversions and nearby alternative routes in place. Details of future phases of work – which are due to begin in April – will be publicised nearer the time. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “These ambitious works represent a long-standing commitment to improving the FiveWays junction – which is one of the most confusing junctions in the city – and a continuation of our ambitious vision to encourage cleaner, greener, healthier, and cheaper transport in and around Leicester. “The improvements will help simplify the junction for drivers, make it a much less daunting proposition for cyclists, allow buses to move more quickly along this route and help make the area a more attractive place for people. “It is a major investment that will help ensure this busy and important part of the city’s transport network is able to accommodate the predicted growth for decades to come.” The scheme – which is expected to cost about £10.4million – will be paid for through a mix of Enterprise Zone funding through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), and the Transforming Cities Fund following the city council’s successful bid for £32million of second tranche funding to support improvements to public transport and providing more safer cycling and walking routes into city neighbourhoods and the city centre. Andy Reed OBE, Co-Chair of the LLEP, said: "This project will improve access by linking the city centre up with surrounding neighbourhoods. It will also develop new routes and crossings for e-bikes, public transport and pedestrians. "As with any project of this scale, there may be some disruption during development. Completing the work in phases will help to address this as this busy junction is made safer and more attractive for all users." The work will be carried out by Thomas Bow City Asphalt – one of the biggest building and civil engineering contactors in the East Midlands – under contract to Leicester City Council. For more information about the forthcoming works to the A50/FiveWays junction visit www.leicester.gov.uk/TransformingCitiesFund

A weekend of special events coordinated by Leicester-based Cosmopolitan Arts will mark the start of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. From Friday (20 January), people will be able to have a go at Chinese calligraphy, play traditional games or try Chinese foods at a Chinese arts workshop at the Haymarket shopping centre. The workshop will run alongside an immersive digital exhibition featuring seven documentaries that chart the stories of some of those who migrated to the UK from China. Each film focuses on one decade, from the 1950s until the 2010s, with members of Leicester’s Chinese community amongst those recalling their journey, their arrival, and their acclimatisation to English life and culture. The exhibition and workshop at the Haymarket shopping centre is open from 11am until 4pm from Friday 20 January until Sunday 22 January. On Saturday (21 January), there’s a free event at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The colourful event will feature traditional and contemporary dance, as well as musical performances from Guzheng virtuoso Xiao Ying, and the nationally renowned artist Ling Peng. The Chinese New Year Show at Leicester Museum on New Walk runs from 11am until 4pm. From 2.30pm on Sunday (22 January), a traditional Chinese procession will mark the start of the Chinese New Year as it wends its way from De Montfort University to the city centre, featuring lion dancers, martial artists and pyrotechnics. Bringing the celebrations to a close will be a spectacular large-scale performance in Green Dragon Square, with live music, pyrotechnics and fireworks from 4.30pm until 5.20pm. From East to East: The Story of Chinese Migration To the East Midlands is supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Special events marking the Chinese New Year are supported with funding from Arts Council England. The events will be repeated in Nottingham from 27-29 January and in Derby from 3-5 February. For more information visit www.cosmopolitanarts.co.uk

Motorists who drive in a designated bus lane on part of the A50 will face fines from this week. Camera enforcement action began on a section of the A50 Groby Road from January 2, 2023. During the first two-week grace period, 136 drivers who were caught driving in the bus lane were issued with warning notices instead of fines. However, enforcement has this week begun in earnest, meaning motorists caught driving in the bus lane will face a £70 fine. The enforcement camera is on the city-bound section of the A50 near Medina Road, and is active 24 hours, seven days a week, including bank holidays. The only vehicles allowed to use the bus lane are buses, Hackney carriages and cycles. It is the latest measure designed to improve safety and traffic flow on that section of the A50. The 30mph speed limit has recently been extended to cover more of that section of road, to manage traffic flow and to cut the number of traffic accidents. The A50 bus lane camera enforcement is costing around £60k, from the Government’s National Productively Investment fund. Leicester deputy city mayor for transport, clean air and climate emergency, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “Keeping our bus network moving is key to ensuring we have a reliable, affordable and convenient public transport system. “Unfortunately, when other vehicles clog up bus lanes, they slow down those bus services and cause unnecessary disruption and delays. “The A50 Groby Road is a key part of city’s road network and a vital bus corridor, and therefore camera enforcement will help ensure traffic flow continues to move freely for the benefit of all road users.” Bus lane camera enforcement is already in place at several other sites across Leicester, to ensure that important bus routes are not obstructed by other vehicles, delaying vehicles and adding to traffic congestion. It is part of wider improvements and investment in Leicester’s bus network being made as part of the Leicester Bus Partnership. More details are available at the Leicester Bus Partnership website here.

Priorities include identifying and recognising carers quickly. The Joint Carers Strategy Refresh 2022-2025 Recognising, Valuing and Supporting Carers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been approved by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council. This is a joint Strategy which has been developed by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) across the LLR area. It commits all three councils to a shared vision and priorities for recognising, valuing, and supporting carers across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The aim is to help carers to continue in their caring role and maintain their own health and wellbeing. As part of the strategy refresh, new commitments have been made to introduce a Young Carer’s passport across the region, and to work more effectively with health services to improve carer identification and the consideration of carer needs on admission to and discharge from hospital. Other priorities include: Identifying and recognising carers quickly, partners and community organisations will encourage people to self-identify as carers so that they can get access to the right support. Valuing carers and young carers’ experience and ensuring they are involved in what happens to the person that they care for Making sure carers can access the information they need in the formats they require Encouraging communities to support carers through community groups, and helping carers access local groups so that they can socialise and take a break from their caring responsibilities Recognising that carers have their own lives to lead alongside their caring role, and leading by example as carer-friendly employers, encouraging more local businesses to do the same Ensuring that carers know about new technology that could support them in their caring roles, and supporting them to be confident using new technology or gadgets Working with partners to raise the profile of schemes like the Carers Passport, which helps organisations to easily recognise and acknowledge carers Developing a range of support for young carers including improved awareness in schools and colleges of young carers, the roll out of a Young Carers passport scheme, and improved support for young carers dealing with the health system locally. Councillor Christine Radford, county council cabinet member for adults and communities, said: "It’s important that we make carers visible so that we can support them and recognise both the challenges they face and the enormous contribution they make to families and communities. Our strategy – covering the city, county, and Rutland – is an important starting point for every organisation that comes into contact with carers. By adopting this strategy, we commit to recognising, supporting and valuing carers for the vital work they do.” Carers can also access more advice and information Leicestershire County Council News

Officers have warned about the potential dangers of overtaking while driving after a 79-year-old woman was left with serious injuries following a head-on collision. Sajid Mahmood, 53, of Burton Road, Branston, Burton-on-Trent, was driving a taxi – a Peugeot car - along Swepstone Road, Measham, on the afternoon of Friday 24 September 2021 when he attempted to overtake a tractor with an attached trailer which was travelling in front of him. The tractor and trailer measured around 18ft in length. As Mahmood attempted the overtake, he was just ahead of a bend in the road. As he carried out the manoeuvre, he collided head-on with a Skoda car which was travelling on the other side of the road. A woman, aged 79, who was travelling in the front passenger seat of the Skoda had to be airlifted to hospital from the scene after suffering serious injuries in the collision. Following treatment, the woman has since been discharged from hospital. The male driver of the Skoda and a female passenger in the taxi vehicle suffered minor injuries. Enquiries at the scene, including speaking with witnesses, led to Mahmood being charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the collision. He previously pleaded guilty to the charge at court. On Wednesday (11 January), at Leicester Crown Court, he was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also placed on a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work across the next 12 months. Mahmood was also disqualified from driving for three years. Officer in the case, Police Constable Anthony Brewin said: “Mahmood’s actions to try and get ahead on the road led to a woman suffering serious injuries and being airlifted to hospital. I know that the injuries caused have had a significant impact on the victim and my thoughts do remain with her. “Overtaking a vehicle while driving can be extremely dangerous if not carried out in the correct and safe manner – as this incident has shown. Please ensure that you always only ever overtake when it is safe and legal to do so, that the road is sufficiently clear ahead and that there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake. More information about the correct way to overtake a vehicle while driving is available on the Highway Code - Using the road - Overtaking (162 to 169) - THE HIGHWAY CODE (highwaycodeuk.co.uk)"

Twenty-two men face a total of more than 200 years in prison after an encrypted chat platform they used to organise and facilitate the supply of industrial amounts of cocaine and heroin across the UK was dismantled. The men, aged between 26 and 58, were all sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Monday and Tuesday (9 and 10 January) after pleading guilty between April 2021 and August 2022 to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. (From top left to top right) Ramone Anozie, Tanveer Arkate, Michael Breen and Ian Brennan (From bottom left to bottom right) Reece Dagli, Michael Estrin, Thomas Fitzpatrick and Ashley Forde (From top left to top right) Steven Freakley, Jamie Holms, Nigel Julien and Christian Kelly (From bottom left to bottom right) Stephen Lees-Rowe, Ashley Lunn, Malachi McLeary and James Morris (From top left to top right) Toby Poole, Mohsin Raja and Ahmed Samankar (From bottom left to bottom right) Ross Sterland, Ian Townsend and Matthew Whorlow In 2020, a joint operation between UK, French and Dutch authorities led to the takedown of ‘Encrochat’ – a communication service which was found to be used by criminals to plan and coordinate illegal activity. Infiltrating access to the platform gave European agencies, including the UK’s National Crime Agency, access to millions of messages and images exchanged between users in relation to criminal activity and led to a massive breakthrough in the fight against serious and organised crime. Following the dismantle, specialist officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) began mounting an extensive investigation which highlighted the vast scale of offending by the 22 men – involving multiple kilos of class A drugs being distributed nationwide, primarily between January and September 2020. Officers were able to gather evidence which showed three of the defendants, Christian Kelly, James Morris and Michael Estrin, who were based in Cheshire, were responsible for distributing dozens of kilos of cocaine and heroin into a Leicester based organised crime group, centred around Nigel Julien, Ashley Forde, Ross Sterland and Ashley Lunn. The Cheshire trio were also dealing the drugs to South Yorkshire based Ian Brennan and Ian Townsend. In Leicester, once the drugs had been delivered, the group would then supply to a number of other Leicestershire dealers, including Ahmed Samankar, Tanveer Arkate, Reece Dagli, Ramone Anozie, Steven Freakley and Mohsin Raja. Large quantities of class A would also be supplied between the Leicester group and Nottingham based Malachi McLeary. He also sourced commodity from Merseyside and Cheshire via Thomas Fitzpatrick and Michael Breen, as well as supplying to other dealers in the Nottinghamshire area. Toby Poole, Jamie Holms, Stephen Lees-Rowe and Matthew Whorlow were used as couriers by various members of the groups to dispatch the drugs around the UK. Following the evidence being gathered, police carried out enforcement operations throughout 2020 and 2021 – arresting the 22 defendants and recovering huge quantities of cash and class A drugs. During this time Kelly had fled the UK and needed to be extradited from his hideout in Spain. Details of the 22 defendants and the sentences they each received are outlined below: Ramone Anozie, 28, was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug (cocaine) and failing to provide a PIN code to a seized mobile telephone Tanveer Arkate, 34, of Stanhope Street, Leicester, was sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drugs Michael Breen, 58, of Badger Bait, Little Neston, Cheshire, was sentenced to 10 years and four months for one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) Ian Brennan, 53, of Highridge Close, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire, was sentenced to 10 years and four months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug (cocaine) Reece Dagli, 31, of Broadway, Loughborough, Leicestershire, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and possession of criminal property Michael Estrin, 47, of Wellfield Place, Wilmslow, Cheshire, was sentenced to 14 years and eight months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug Thomas Fitzpatrick, 36, of Caldwell Road, Liverpool, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs Ashley Forde, 35, of Grass Acres, Leicester, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for two separate counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug Steven Freakley, 31, of Dominion Road, Leicester, was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug Jamie Holms, 42, of Rennocks Place, Thringstone, Leicestershire was sentenced to eight years and six months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug Nigel Julien, 34, of Holmfield Avenue West, Leicester Forest East, was sentenced to 13 years and six months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug Christian Kelly, 47, of Hoo Green Lane, Mere, Cheshire, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug Stephen Lees-Rowe, 45, of Springhead Court, Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug. This sentence is to run consecutive to a sentence of 13 years 2 months imprisonment that Lees-Rowe received at Harrow Crown Court on 25 March 2022 for further offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The total sentence is therefore now 14 years and eight months imprisonment. Ashley Lunn, 31, of Aikman Avenue, Leicester, was sentenced to 12 years and four months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug Malachi McLeary, 38, of Campion Street, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, was sentenced to 13 years and six months imprisonment for three counts of conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug James Morris, 49, of Dial Street, Warrington, Cheshire, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs Toby Poole, 44, Padstow Walk, Crawley, West Sussex, was sentenced to six years and eight months for conspiracy to supply a class A drug (cocaine) Mohsin Raja, 43, of Chestnut Walk, Crawley, West Sussex, was sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug Ahmed Samankar, 26, of Kashmir Road, Leicester, was sentenced to eight years and one month imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug and one count of failing to provide a PIN code to a seized mobile telephone Ross Sterland, 34, of Tudor Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 13 years and six months imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug Ian Townsend, 56, of Prince Arthur Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug Matthew Whorlow, 31, of Moorgreen Drive, Nottingham, was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug. This sentence is to run consecutive to a sentence of 10 years 9 months imprisonment that Whorlow received at Harrow Crown Court on 14 February 2022 for further offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The total sentence is therefore now 11 years and seven months imprisonment. Leicestershire Police News

Two Leicestershire Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who risked their lives to protect members of the public and police colleagues from being seriously injured have been shortlisted for a national bravery award. Without consideration for their own safety, PCSOs Jonny Davies and Tim Jones climbed into a car being driven by an aggressive man who it was believed was attempting to escape from police. Their swift action led to the man being safely arrested and their selfless act is being recognised as part of a national event being held by UNISON and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to celebrate 20 years of PCSOs and the huge contribution they make to policing. The incident occurred while the pair were on duty during the evening of Tuesday 7 June 2022 in Leicester city centre. They were responding to a call from a man who it was reported was in distress in the area of St Augustine Road. When they arrived, it is alleged the man attempted to leave the area by hijacking a taxi that was stationary at nearby traffic lights and climbing into the front passenger seat. Due to the reported aggressive nature of the man, the taxi driver and his paying passenger got out of the car. As the two PCSOs approached the front doors of the taxi, it is reported the man climbed into the driver’s seat and drove the car forward, colliding with officers in the police vehicle in front - who had arrived to provide backup. In order to try and prevent the man driving any further, the PCSOs got into the car and took hold of his arms. It was at this stage it is alleged the man reversed the vehicle over the central reservation, across the other side of the carriageway before colliding at speed with a barrier. The man then drove forward again, still with the PCSOs inside the car, colliding with a tree and a metal fence before stopping next to a bridge close to Bath Lane. Officers nearby were then able to remove the man from the car. A 34-year-old man, from Leicester, was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently on police bail. PCSO Davies said: “It is such an honour to have been put forward for a bravery award. I wouldn’t think twice about stepping forward in a dangerous or difficult situation if it meant ensuring the safety of the public.” PCSO Jones added: “I feel very proud and honoured to represent the force and Leicestershire PCSO on a national scale. Like Jonny, I wouldn’t think twice about taking the same action if a similar situation arose.” The winners of the national PCSO awards will be announced at a celebration event in London this evening (Thursday 12 January). Temporary Deputy Chief Constable David Sandall, who is accompanying the PCSOs to the event tomorrow, added: “The actions of these dedicated PCSOs undoubtedly prevented this incident turning into a tragedy. “Despite the challenging situation in the vehicle, they attempted to safely restrain the man and their actions prevented him from injuring any motorists, pedestrians or police colleagues at the scene. They deserve to be recognised for their outstanding quick thinking and bravery. “It has been 20 years since the Police Reform Act introduced the PCSO role, and they have played an integral part in policing ever since. “They offer a visible and reassuring presence across our force area, are vital in helping to build strong relationships between the police and the communities we serve, as well as supporting officers in helping to solve crime. “I’m very proud two of our PCSOs are being recognised at a national event but the force is grateful for the work all our PCSO colleagues continue to do across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

A Leisure centre gym which has undergone a major refurbishment has reopened its doors to visitors. The gym at Braunstone Leisure Centre has been transformed as part of a wider £4.7 million city council investment programme which has also seen improvements made at Spence Street Sports Centre, Cossington Street Sports Centre, Evington Leisure Centre and two phases of work at Aylestone Leisure Centre. The £500k revamp at Braunstone features an 80-station gym, new virtual group cycling studio, a functional training space, up to date cardiovascular equipment and a dedicated free weights area. Gym members have access to the new equipment and have the opportunity to be shown around by a member of the leisure centre team. It was officially opened on Tuesday, January 10, by City Mayor Peter Soulsby and deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair. The work is the latest investment by Leicester City Council in its gyms and sports centres across the city. In November, Spence Street Sports Centre in Spinney Hills, reopened following a £1million refurb which saw it equipped with a new 50-station gym, large group exercise studio and training space, a free weights area, new signage and updated cardiovascular equipment. Leicester deputy city mayor for heritage, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “These improvements to the gym at Braunstone Leisure Centre represent a real investment in ensuring fitness and sport facilities are accessible to all in the community. “We’re upgrading sports facilities in centres across the city, to make sure what wherever people live, they have the opportunity to make the most of high-quality sports and leisure equipment.” To tie in with the relaunch, customers are also able to get 50 percent off the cost of their first three months of membership. City Mayor Peter Soulsby added: “Across the city this refurbishment programme is really transforming sports facilities, and ensuring equipment and training spaces are up to a high standard. “I was very impressed with the recently-completed scheme at Spence Street, and the ongoing work at Aylestone Leisure Centre is the latest of two phases to bring those facilities up to date too. “It is an investment which will hopefully pay dividends for years to come.” For more information on Braunstone Leisure Centre, visit the city council’s website here.

Leicester's City Mayor has praised the work of social care teams who have continued to work closely with Leicester’s hospitals to ensure patients can be safely discharged over the Christmas and new year period, and provided rapid support to avoid people being admitted to hospital in the first place. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “In spite of the national situation regarding pressures on hospitals and challenges in discharging people, Leicester’s social care staff have been providing exceptional support to our hospitals. As a result, many people have been helped to get home quickly and safely, and the volume of delays reported elsewhere has been avoided. “I would like to thank them and all of the staff working tirelessly across the whole of the NHS and in care services, who are doing a remarkable job during this crisis.” Staff from the city council’s hospital discharge and reablement service worked every day over Christmas and the new year period. When the University Hospitals Trust declared a critical incident on 30 December, some staff cancelled annual leave to support with discharges. More than 30 city residents were discharged with care packages on the bank holidays alone. The team ensures that people can safely be discharged from hospital by finding care services they can have at home, or by finding places in care homes where needed. Many of those needing care when leaving hospital are not already known to social care services, so staff provide rapid care and an assessment of their needs. In most cases support is provided within 24-48 hours of help being requested with the discharge. The numbers of people requiring support with discharge changes on a daily basis, but in the case of Leicester residents there are rarely more than 14-18 people waiting at any one time for support for discharge, which is usually achieved within a few days depending on the complexity of their needs. “Cllr Sarah Russell, deputy city mayor for social care said: “In addition to hospital discharge pressures, we know that nationally, many thousands of people are waiting for support at home and as a result, are at risk of needing hospital admission. In Leicester, the number of people in the community awaiting a social care package any one time was under five for all of December. This compares to more than 30 each week in the same period last year. We achieved this by working closely with the independent sector care agencies in Leicester, who also went above and beyond over the Christmas period.” The council’s integrated crisis response team, which works closely with colleagues in community health services, carries out a vital role in helping to avoid people being admitted to hospital. In the event of a fall for instance, the team visit swiftly to assess the situation and can often safely lift people and provide care at home to help them get well again. Cllr Russell said: “In the run up to winter our reablement and crisis services have consistently delivered high quality, rapid care to people to get them home safely, and very importantly – to avoid hospital admission in the first place. “In November, which is a typical month, the crisis team supported 465 people at home, achieving their two-hour hour arrival target for urgent cases by 100%. Staff from the crisis team have also been working in the A&E department during times of acute pressure to identify people who don’t need to be admitted if care can be provided at home. “I would like to thank all of the staff involved for their hard work and commitment to making this happen.” Support staff in the brokerage team – which finds packages of care for people in the community, to avoid hospital admission – also worked over the holiday period. In December the city council launched a staff reward scheme which gave a bonus to private sector home care workers who stayed in employment over the winter period. This helped to stem the numbers of people leaving to find higher paid jobs.

A 27-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the murder of his grandfather has been sentenced life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 15 years. Benjamin Dunlop, of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday) to be sentenced for the crime he admitted at the same court in November 2022. Benjamin Dunlop Ronald Dunlop, 75, was found dead at the address where Ben Dunlop was staying with his grandfather temporarily in Hart Drive, Measham, just before 5pm on Wednesday 1 December 2021. Police were called to the address by East Midlands Ambulance Service. East Midlands Ambulance Service were at the address following a call of concern about the welfare of the two men and worries Ben had harmed himself. At the address, Ronald was found dead along with a cat, which was also dead, belonging to a neighbour. Benjamin returned to the address a short time later, and made admissions to harming both his grandfather and the cat to the attending ambulance crew. Benjamin Dunlop was charged two days later with murder. He was also charged with criminal damage in relation to the death of a cat. For this he was ordered to serve a six-month sentence concurrently. Senior Investigating Officer for the case, Detective Chief Inspector Nicole Main from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “Firstly my thoughts remain with the family of Ronald. “While this sentence doesn’t bring him back, or repair the tragic situation this family has found itself in, knowing that Ben is serving his time for what he did, will I hope allow them to move on from what has been a lengthy wait for justice.” Ronald Dunlop