All recycling and waste collections in Leicester will take place on the normal collection days over the forthcoming special bank holiday to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be no changes to collections on Thursday 2 June or Friday 3 June. People should put out their bins and orange bags by 7am on the normal collection day. Any roads that have applied to close for street parties on their normal collection days over the bank holiday will have their waste collected at the beginning of the morning rounds to help minimise disruption. The household waste recycling centres at Gypsum Close (off Lewisher Road) and Freemen's Common (on Islington Street) will also be open as normal throughout the bank holiday weekend. The trade waste service at Gypsum Close will close for the bank holiday. Garden waste collections will take place as scheduled on Monday 30 May. Garden waste calendars are available at www.leicester.gov.uk/gardenwaste For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/recycling

Officers have released an image of a man they wish to speak to after a pushbike was stolen in Knighton Lane East. The Trek Marlin 7, which is a coral red woman’s bike, was taken while left in a secure shed at around 9am on Tuesday 26 April. PC Richard Wagg, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to speak to the man pictured as I believe he may have information that could help. “If you recognise him, know who he is or indeed the person pictured is you, please get in touch.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 22*236728 Alternatively call 101.

An appeal is being made for witnesses to a robbery, in which a woman had a gold necklace taken from around her neck, to come forward. It happened in Wand Street, in the Belgrave area of Leicester, at around 6pm on Thursday 19 May. The victim, who is in her 40s, said the suspect left the scene on a pushbike. Officers have released a photograph of the necklace that was taken. Detective Constable Rachel Tidmarsh said: “I would like to speak to anyone who was in Wand Street and the surrounding area that evening. Please cast your mind back? Did you see anyone on a pushbike? Did you see the robbery take place? “I’d also like to speak to anyone who has seen the necklace pictured for sale. Any information you have could help my investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 22*286544. Alternatively call 101.

“He wishes the man had killed him – life will never be the same again.” These are the words of the heartbroken wife whose husband was subjected to a vicious assault in August last year. The 36-year-old mother of three spoke about the impact that incident in August last year has had on her husband and the family after the defendant was sentenced today (Thursday 26 May) to ten years and eight months in prison. Callum McDermott pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a number of offences after he attacked a 45-year-old taxi driver in Saffron Lane, Leicester, and assaulted a number of officers. He was sentenced for Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to a police officer, two counts of assault on an emergency worker and Section 5 racially-aggravated public order. The family of a victim of assault talk about the case On 23 August McDermott stood in the middle of the road, stopping vehicles from getting by. The victim approached McDermott and was then viciously attacked by him. He was kicked and punched multiple times while he was on the ground. The victim sustained multiple complex facial fractures and was placed in an induced coma with life threatening injuries. After a number of months of treatment and rehabilitation he was discharged from hospital. His memory of what happened that morning is virtually non-existent. The assault has left him with physical and mental scars. The family relied on him financially and he’s not been able to work as a taxi driver since and there is doubt whether he will ever be able to return to that profession. He continues to receive ongoing treatment at home to assist him in regaining some normality into his life. His wife described how he’s changed as a person, without work he feels he’s not a good husband or father. She said: “He’s been extremely depressed and can be tearful – he knows something has happened to him he just can’t remember what. “We originally come from Sri Lanka and he often says he just wants to go back to his homeland and leave the UK. “My older daughter is 10 years old, she knows something has happened and her dad has changed. She was an extremely intelligent girl and as a result of what’s happened her school work started to suffer. Luckily the school have been able to support her and provide some wellbeing counselling to help her. “The detectives who have been investigating this case have been supportive and making adjustments so my husband is able to provide evidence via a video recording and didn’t have to stand up in court and talk about what he remembers or the impact on him now. “When the officers came to our home on the morning of the assault I thought they were just there to speak to me or tell me something – I never expected it to be about my husband being seriously assaulted. “I was in shock for days, luckily family and friends rallied around us and were there to support me and the children through the traumatic time. “That day changed our lives forever and I don’t know whether life will ever be the same for us again. “How can someone do that to another person, does he not have a family, doesn’t he have a heart? “I can only hope now that my husband will recover in some way and be able to return to work and we can be a normal family again.” Leicestershire Police News - 26th May 2022

A Leicester man who stamped on a victim’s head and repeatedly kicked him has been sentenced to more than ten years behind bars. Callum McDermott was seen walking in the road in Saffron Lane, Leicester, during the morning of Monday 23 August last year, stopping vehicles from passing by. A taxi driver pulled over and approached McDermott. The defendant then subjected the driver to a violent attack, kicking and punching him more than 30 times while he was lying on the ground. The 45-year-old victim sustained multiple complex facial fractures and was placed in an induced coma with life threatening injuries. McDermott, 32, of Oliver Street, was arrested at the scene but during the incident he attacked a number of officers. One officer’s nose was broken in four places and he also sustained cuts and bruises to his face. At Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 26 May), he was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison for Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to a police officer, two counts of assault on an emergency worker and Section 5 racially-aggravated public order. He was also charged with attempted murder but following a trial earlier this month he was found not guilty of that offence. Detective Constable Berni Smith was the investigating officer. She said: “This was a horrific attack on a man in a public place, in front of a number of members of the public. Many were left extremely distressed by what they had witnessed. “Fortunately, the victim survived the attack, although he is still receiving ongoing medical treatment and life for him will never be the same. “McDermott didn’t just stop at attacking the victim, he then assaulted a number of officers, one of whom sustained significant facial injuries.” Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “This was a shocking incident and my thoughts are with the victim and his family. McDermott’s actions that day were inexcusable. Not only did he attack a member of the public but officers doing their duty. Any attack on any police officer is very concerning to us and completely unacceptable. “Your police officers and staff are normal people who do incredible things. Drawn from our local communities, they are doing an excellent job at the most challenging of times. “Being attacked and assaulted while they carry out this duty will simply not be tolerated.”

A New benefits calculator and budgeting tool has been launched to help Leicester people manage their finances and minimise the impact of the cost of living crisis. BetterOff Leicester, a new simple online tool, will help people to ensure that they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, including Universal Credit and local council tax support or reduction schemes. It links to ways to apply for benefits online, as well as providing information on how to find, and apply for, local jobs. BetterOff Leicester’s budgeting tool will also help users who are moving into work to easily see a realistic assessment of their take-home pay. Deputy city mayor for anti-poverty, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “A key feature of BetterOff Leicester is it will help people to easily assess if moving jobs will make them better off. We know this is vitally important information for people to have. “It’s also essential that people in Leicester claim all the benefits that they are entitled to, especially as the cost of living crisis hits. An online check with BetterOff Leicester will help to ensure people are getting the help they need.” It’s estimated that currently around £100m in benefits could be going unclaimed to people living in the city. The city council has specialist benefits advisors as well as staff working with children’s services and in the Supporting Tenants and Residents (STAR) service that can help local people with benefits claims. Together, the city council, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire and the Community Advice and Law Service Leicester (CALS) helped local people claim £10.8m of benefits in 2021. Cllr Russell added: “BetterOff Leicester is designed to be simple to use, but we recognise that not everyone has the digital skills they need to complete online applications for jobs or benefits. We’re working very closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Citizens’ Advice LeicesterShire, CALS and other local charities and organisations in Leicester to ensure people can use BetterOff Leicester whatever their circumstances. “That’s why professionals will be able to help people fill in their BetterOff Leicester calculation, using a unique code that helps to ensure personal information is kept safe. “We’re also working very hard with our own library and adult learning services to give people the support they need to improve their digital skills so that they can do more online.” BetterOff Leicester was officially launched on Tuesday (24 May) at a special one-off introductory event at the Community Shop in Stocking Farm. The city council has supported the Community Shop by leasing it a vacant building in Marwood Road for a peppercorn rent, and also provided £150,000 in funding to support its set-up. Specialist advisors from the DWP, who hold sessions across Leicester’s libraries, also visited the shop to offer advice and help on job-seeking. In the future, Community Shop staff will be able to signpost customers to nearby locations where they can get benefits support and use BetterOff Leicester. Leicester City Council has also launched a new anti-poverty website, setting out how Leicester is responding to poverty and gathering together links to resources all in one place. Aimed mainly at professionals who work with people in need, it includes national and local data, information on the council’s approach and objectives, and details of the council’s intention to tackle poverty as part of a long-term strategy. It will be built upon to include the actions of partner organisations across the city. Cllr Russell added: “This website is an excellent resource for anyone who works with people at risk of poverty. It sets out the work we are doing locally to help tackle what we all know is sadly a huge national – and indeed international – issue. “We are determined to work innovatively and closely with our partners to make sure people’s lives in Leicester are not blighted by poverty. This website reflects that determination and looks at practical things professionals can do right now to help people locally who are in need.” The website can be accessed at leicester.gov.uk/anti-poverty To find out more about help during the cost of living crisis, visit leicester.gov.uk/benefits To use BetterOff Leicester, visit leicester.gov.uk/betteroff Leicester City Council News

Leicestershire Police has carried out 42 knife sweeps; 47 test purchasing operations; recovered 329 knives; arrested 25 people and held online workshops for more than 7,500 secondary school pupils during a national week of action targeting knife crime ‘Operation Sceptre’ is about education and enforcement designed to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife; target those who carry weapons and disrupt the sale and supply of knives. It runs twice a year and ran from Monday 16 May 2022 to Sunday 22 May 2022. The force’s Children and Young Persons Officer, Katie Hudson, and Substance Misuse Officer, James Edmondston, held 11 workshops across the week presenting to 7576 young people and 315 teachers/professionals from 20 schools. Across the 2021/22 academic year knife crime awareness workshops have been delivered to 40 educational establishments reaching a total of 710 professionals and 17,885 young people between the ages of 12-18 years old. The huge response to the workshops reflects how keen schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are to work with the police to discourage young people from picking up a knife. Beat teams also visited their local secondary schools to engage with young people and answer their questions. Some teams took a knife arch to show young people one of the ways officers can detect people carrying something metal. They were also deployed in parks, train stations and under passes. The Head of Secondary at Avanti Fields School in Hamilton, Nisha Kholia, emailed their local beat officer; “Thank you to you and your colleague for taking time to visit our school and hold an information stand. The student feedback has been really positive and appreciated the opportunity to talk to you both, ask questions and find out more. We look forward to inviting you back to our school soon.” In a joint operation between the police and trading standards, 47 shops that were visited by an underage test purchaser. Eleven shop workers failed to question the young person’s age and sold them a knife. The force’s We Don’t Carry #LivesNotKnives online campaign, designed in partnership with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) reached over 800,000 people across digital and social media channels. Officers gave out hundreds of information leaflets to young people and adults giving advice on where and how to get help and referring them to a new website LiveSafe Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Drummond, from Leicestershire Police’s Violent and Complex Crime Unit, said: “We’ve had another very successful Op Sceptre and I am delighted we have taken 329 knives off our streets which can never be used to threaten or harm anyone. The week is as much about awareness and engagement as it is about enforcement and we have had an incredible response to our online workshops and our new social media campaign aimed at young people. “I was a little disappointed to see that eleven of the forty-seven shops we visited sold a knife to our test purchaser who was under the age of 18. Shopkeepers should know their legal obligations when it comes to selling knives and can expect to be tested again. A second failure could lead to prosecution. “We’ve also worked with partners and different projects designed and commissioned by the VRN, for example, the Violence Intervention Project at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and in our custody suites which reaches out to victims of violence at a key moment in their lives to help them make better decisions. Enforcement is of course important too but if we can work with our partners to stop people carrying a knife in the first place that would be the perfect result.” Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said; “Thank you to Leicestershire Police for taking yet more knives off our streets. It’s at times like this when we realise that we still have a long way to go to eradicate knife crime. We need to drive down violent crime, including knife crime, to save lives and stop the pain suffered by bereaved families. “We owe it to victims to support the police in their endeavours and that’s what I intend to do. whether it’s preventative work or ensuring officers have the confidence to tackle violent criminals, I will support them however I can.” If you are looking for help and support, please visit LiveSafe If you are a concerned family member or friend there is also information on the website to help you. Why not start the conversation today using our a 10 step guide? https://www.leics.police.uk/livesnotknives

A man has been found guilty of sexually abusing his step-granddaughter over a five-year period. Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, the man, in his late 50s, was convicted yesterday (24 May) of 14 crimes. The offences all took place inside the man’s home in the Hinckley area between October 2015 and January 2020. The girl was 10 when the abuse began. After it was reported to police in February 2021, the step-grandad, who is not being named to protect the identity of the victim, was arrested and an investigation began. He will be sentenced on 8 July after being found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of taking an indecent image. DC Georgina White, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, was the investigating officer. She said: “This man used his position of trust and power to sexually abuse a child, his step-granddaughter, numerous times over many years. “Now a teenager, the victim, felt able to share the horrific abuse she had suffered by someone who should have been a source of love and support. “As you can imagine, it has been extremely difficult for her to have to relive this trauma but I hope that now he has been convicted of these crimes she can move forward with her life.”

Stories associated with Leicester Market’s past are being brought to life, thanks to a brand new app that’s free to download. Picture By Craig Thorpe Leicester Media Online The Picturing the Past app uses augmented reality to allow people to explore three historic stories linked to the area around the market. Using the app, people will be able to scan three information panels in Green Dragon Square to uncover stories about the influence of the Romans on Leicester, a fatal shooting at a medieval pub that gave the modern square its name, and the inspirational suffragette who’s now commemorated with a statue in the square. Pictures By Leicester Media Developed as a collaboration between Leicester-based arts and technology company MBD and Leicester City Council, the app uses audio and images to help bring the stories to life. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Picturing the Past builds on the interest in local history that’s been generated by our popular Story of Leicester heritage panels, which now highlight more than 175 historic sites in Leicester. “By making these stories accessible to people via their smartphones, I hope we can encourage residents and visitors to discover more about the city’s long and fascinating past.” Leicester-based MBD specialises in telling heritage stories through the use of new technology. Creative director Paul Long said: "We are really pleased to work with the city council to bring these stories to life through new technology. “We are passionate about the city we work in, and we are excited for audiences to find out more about the stories that have shaped the place we live." The Picturing the Past panel on Roman Leicester is near the Cherry Orchard mosaic next to the historic Old Fish Market, the tale of the murder at the Green Dragon Inn in 1778, and the controversial pardoning of the perpetrator, is linked to a panel near The Jetty, while Alice Hawkins’ story can be found on a panel next to the suffragette’s statue in Green Dragon Square (pictured). The Picturing the Past app can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play and the App Store. A compatible smartphone or tablet is required. Download the app here More information can be found at storyofleicester.info/picturingthepast

WELCOME TO BRING THE PAINT 2022! MAY 23 - 29, LEICESTER, UK. This time we've got 48 large scale murals across the city, workshops for all to attend, skateboarding showcases, cycling tours, artist talks, music and great food making for an incredible celebration of graffiti culture. When is the festival? In 2022, Bring The Paint is Monday 23rd May through to Sunday 29th May. The main festival day is Saturday 28th May. Where does it take place? Bring The Paint takes place in Leicester City Centre. In 2022 there are 2 main information hubs - The Mill in the north of the city, and The SoundHouse, east of the city centre - where you will be able to pick up a map and programme guide. What time is it on? Mural painters begin painting around 10AM and finish around 6PM. Times can vary. Can I paint? Headline artists are invited to paint. In previous years we have had the opportunity to utilise building site hoardings for submissions. We cannot offer this in 2022. ​ There are a huge number of legal walls, or "Walls of Fame" in Leicester. Check out The Street Art Guide Legal Walls page here Do you provide paint? Bring The Paint buys the paint for headline artists. ​ Graff HQ is the local graffiti and art supply shop, located in The Mill by GRAFFWERK - one of the information points for the festival. Graff HQ stocks Montana, Loop, Posca, Molotov, and many others. Food and drink In 2022, Last Friday Street Food Event will be open on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th May at LCB Depot, one of the festival workshop venues. Bitsy's Emporium of Awesome Cafe will be open Tuesday 24th - Sunday 29th May, located at The Mill. ​ Leicester has a great range of local cafes, bars, and restaurants as well. for more information click here

Leicester's biggest free family festival will take to the city’s waterways and open spaces once again next month with a fun-packed programme of activities for all ages. The annual Riverside Festival returns on June 4 and 5, spread over four areas – Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard and the Mile Straight of the River Soar – and featuring fun on and off the water. Bede Park will feature family activities including a fun fair, food stalls, arts and crafts, beer tent, acoustic music stage and lots of activities, with the nearby piazza hosting a programme of great live bands. Western Boulevard sees the return of the hugely-popular street market with arts, crafts, tasty street food plus the Ride Leicester cycling area. The River Soar will come alive with a colourful narrow boat rally, boat trips, kayaks and the opportunity to view and buy work from local artists at Art on The River. To tie in with this summer’s Platinum Royal Jubilee celebrations, there will also a historical flavour to some of the events, giving visitors the chance to look back over the best of the 70-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Castle Gardens will feature a silent cinema, showcasing both the Royal Family over the decades, as well as showing a programme of family-friendly children’s films and hosting a range of eco-themed activities. Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Riverside Festival signifies the start of the city’s summer programme, and is always an event to look forward to. “This year it takes place on the weekend of the Queen’s Platinum Royal Jubilee, which will be reflected in Castle Gardens, whose tranquil surroundings will host a silent cinema commemorating the Queen and Royal Family over the last 70 years of her extraordinary reign. “For those who prefer more energetic activities, Bede Park will once again come alive with its funfair, while the Mile Straight and Western Boulevard will offer a wide range of activities and stalls for all ages and tastes.” More information on the Riverside Festival is available at www.visitleicester.info

A police dog tracked and found two men hiding in a ditch after they had attempted to steal around £59,000 worth of steel. Brothers Joseph and Levi Walker had tried to run from the scene after officers had arrived at the premises in Sileby Road, Barrow upon Soar, on the evening of Sunday 24 April this year. But with the help of PD Astro, the pair were soon found lying in a nearby ditch leading to their arrests. On Thursday (19 May), at Leicester Crown Court, Levi Walker, 26 of Hungarton Lane, Leicester, and Joseph Walker, 21, of Greengate Lane, Leicester, were both sentenced. Levi Walker, was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to theft of prefabricated steelworks and for breach of a suspended sentence. Joseph Walker was sentenced to a total of 12 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months after pleading guilty to theft of prefabricated steelworks and also in relation to a separate theft offence. Joseph Walker was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £156. Officers had attended the site in Barrow-upon Soar on 24 April after an employee at the firm had been made aware of a disturbance at the site at 11.08pm. As the officers were driving down a dirt track at the site they became aware of a vehicle ahead flashing its headlights and realised the vehicle was a lorry travelling at some speed towards them. The vehicle’s headlights were switched off before the lorry turned into a field and two men were seen running from the vehicle. PD Astro was brought to the scene at around 11.20pm and was tasked to track the suspects. The police dog picked up the track from the lorry, across some wasteland and over a fence before tracking along a ditch where he found the brothers hiding. The lorry at the site was searched and the steel, which was confirmed to belong to the firm, was found. The value of the metal was estimated to be £59000 + VAT. Officer in the case, Detective Constable Julia Newton said: “Thanks to the immediate reporting, the quick response by officers and the excellent work carried out by PD Astro, the suspects were caught and arrested at the scene. “The metal they had been attempting to steal was also fully recovered at the site. “With this evidence gathered and the investigation work, Levi and Joseph Walker were then ultimately left with no choice but to admit responsibility for the offence in court.”