The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published a formal report into the fatal accident involving a Leonardo AW169 (G-VSKP) helicopter which occurred at the King Power Stadium, Leicester on 27 October 2018 Summary At 1937 hrs the helicopter, carrying the pilot and four passengers, lifted off from the centre spot of the pitch at the King Power Stadium. The helicopter moved forward and then began to climb out of the stadium on a rearward flightpath while maintaining a northerly heading and with an average rate of climb of between 600 and 700 ft/min. Passing through a height of approximately 250 ft, the pilot began the transition to forward flight by pitching the helicopter nosedown and the landing gear was retracted. The helicopter was briefly established in a right turn before an increasing right yaw rapidly developed, despite the immediate application of corrective control inputs from the pilot. The helicopter reached a radio altimeter height of approximately 430 ft before descending with a high rotation rate. At approximately 75 ft from the ground the collective was fully raised to cushion the touchdown. The helicopter struck the ground on a stepped concrete surface, coming to rest on its left side. The impact, which likely exceeded the helicopter’s design requirements, damaged the lower fuselage and the helicopter’s fuel tanks which resulted in a significant fuel leak. The fuel ignited shortly after the helicopter came to rest and an intense post-impact fire rapidly engulfed the fuselage. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured in the accident. Investigation findings The investigation found the following causal factors for this accident: Seizure of the tail rotor duplex bearing initiated a sequence of failures in the tail rotor pitch control mechanism which culminated in the unrecoverable loss of control of the tail rotor blade pitch angle and the blades moving to their physical limit of travel. The unopposed main rotor torque couple and negative tail rotor blade pitch angle resulted in an increasing rate of rotation of the helicopter in yaw, which induced pitch and roll deviations and made effective control of the helicopter’s flightpath impossible. The tail rotor duplex bearing likely experienced a combination of dynamic axial and bending moment loads which generated internal contact pressures sufficient to result in lubrication breakdown and the balls sliding across the race surface. This caused premature, surface initiated rolling contact fatigue damage to accumulate until the bearing seized. The investigation found the following contributory factors for this accident: The load survey flight test results were not shared by the helicopter manufacturer with the bearing manufacturer in order to validate the original analysis of the theoretical load spectrum and assess the continued suitability of the bearing for this application, nor were they required to be by the regulatory requirements and guidance. There were no design or test requirements in Certification Specification 29 which explicitly addressed rolling contact fatigue in bearings identified as critical parts; while the certification testing of the duplex bearing met the airworthiness authority’s acceptable means of compliance, it was not sufficiently representative of operational demands to identify the failure mode. The manufacturer of the helicopter did not implement a routine inspection requirement for critical part bearings removed from service to review their condition against original design and certification assumptions, nor were they required to by the regulatory requirements and guidance. Although the failure of the duplex bearing was classified as catastrophic in the certification failure analysis, the various failure sequences and possible risk reduction and mitigation measures within the wider tail rotor control system were not fully considered in the certification process; the regulatory guidance stated that this was not required. Safety actions and recommendations AAIB Special Bulletin S1/2023, published on 14 November 2018 and AAIB Special Bulletin S1/2023, published on 6 December 2018, provided initial information on the circumstances of this accident. During the course of this investigation and as a result of the findings made, the helicopter manufacturer has issued sixteen Service Bulletins and EASA has published nine Airworthiness Directives for the continued airworthiness of the AW169 and AW189 helicopter types. Eight Safety Recommendations have been made in this report. These have been made to EASA to address weaknesses or omissions identified in the regulations for the certification of large helicopters - Certification Specification 29. The recommendations address the main findings of the investigation and include: validation of design data by suppliers post-test; premature rolling contact fatigue in bearings; life limits, load spectrum safety margin and inspection programmes for critical parts; and assessment and mitigation of catastrophic failure modes in systems. Chief Inspector’s statementSaid Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents: “This was a tragic accident in which five people sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, and everyone affected.“The AAIB has carried out an extensive investigation to establish why the accident happened and how safety can be improved. This involved a multi-disciplinary team of skilled investigators from the AAIB, supported by a wide range of experts from industry, academia, and safety investigation authorities from around the world. “As a result, safety action has already been taken for the continued airworthiness of the AW169 and AW189 helicopter fleets. “Today we are publishing our final report which sets out eight recommendations to enhance safety in the longer term, regarding the design, validation and in-service monitoring of safety critical components on large helicopters.”

Students of dance and musical theatre will be learning their craft in Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre from next month, thanks to a partnership between the city council and one of the largest performing arts colleges in Europe. Leicester-based Addict Dance Academy (ADA) – which delivers foundation and degree-level courses – will use the theatre’s auditorium, stage, studio and foyer areas for teaching purposes from 11 September, initially for a period of one year. In exchange, ADA will pay the city council a licence fee to cover the costs associated with reopening the theatre, which has been mothballed since the COVID pandemic forced it to close in 2020. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Since the Haymarket Theatre closed during lockdown, we’ve been looking for a sustainable solution that will guarantee the future of this wonderful building. “Using the theatre as a teaching venue for dance and musical theatre students will bring the building back into use in the short-term and could even be part of a more permanent solution, so I’m really pleased to announce our partnership with Addict Dance Academy. “In the longer term, however, I’m determined to reopen the theatre to the public, and look forward to working with partners to create a programme that will attract new audiences and complement what’s on at Curve and De Montfort Hall. “While that will require some further modest investment, to allow us to replace outdated equipment and carry out further upgrades, we remain committed to reopening the theatre fully and making sure that the lights stay on at this iconic Leicester landmark.” The licence with ADA will run for one year initially, but over the next 12 months, both parties will be able to assess whether a longer-term arrangement would be viable. Established in 2012, ADA currently operates from two sites in the city – Imperial House, on St Nicholas Circle, and premises on Wellington Street. Founder and principal Gareth Chown (pictured left) said: “We’re already one of the largest performing arts colleges in Europe, with around 600 students on our books, but demand for our courses at both further and higher education level is huge. Last year, for example, we had to turn down applications from more than 1,000 would-be students because we just couldn’t accommodate them. “Having the Haymarket Theatre as our teaching base means there’s potential for us to expand our remit and work towards developing a wider range of complementary courses covering subjects such as sound, lighting, wardrobe and make-up. “The opportunity to teach our students on one of the biggest theatre stages in the country is amazing and we can’t wait to move in on 11 September, in time for the start of the new academic term.” Antony Flint, venue director at De Montfort Hall – which will take over the day-to-day running of the Haymarket Theatre – said: “The cultural ecosystem in the city is quite finely balanced so it’s important that the Haymarket Theatre works alongside other arts organisations in the city rather than competing against them. “The mixed use model for the theatre that we hope will develop out of the partnership with ADA should help support culture in the city, while also making sure the venue is financially viable. “Having an education company using the theatre during the daytime provides a really solid base to work on and, importantly, doesn’t prevent us from exploring further opportunities that could help ensure the Haymarket Theatre has a bright, and sustainable, future.” Work to prepare the building for the students’ arrival will soon get under way, while on-going works to complete the theatre’s entrance and lift area will continue until the end of next month. The Haymarket Theatre will celebrate its 50thanniversary on 17 October 2023.

The following locations have been added to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland community concern sites, the full this can be found here: https://speedorsafety.com/camera-locations/community-concern-sites Jonathan Clarkson, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership spokesperson said, “Local residents are encouraged to contact us if they think they have a problem with excessive speeding in their communities. This helps us identify those locations which will then be subject to a covert speed survey and if they meet our criteria they will qualify for mobile speed enforcement. B640 Stamford Road, Oakham B641 Uppingham Road, Oakham B668 Burley Road, Oakham A606 Stamford Road, Empingham (national speed limit) Normanton Road / Coleorton Road, Packington Church Lane, Ravenstone Grange Road, Hugglescote Leicester Road, Ashby Station Street, Castle Donington Desford Road, Kirby Muxloe A6004 Belton Road, Loughborough Shilton Road, Barwell A47 Clickers Way, Earl Shilton / Elmesthorpe Manor Road, Oadby Dorset Avenue, South Wigston Braunstone Lane (nr. St Marys Ave), Braunstone Town Main Street Normanton (nr. Bottesford) Barkbythorpe Road, Leicester A607 Melton Road, Waltham on the Wolds (30mph in the Village) Main Street, Cossington Main Street, Newtown Linford Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton Mill Lane, Gilmorton

Results revealed today to the first cohort of students to complete T levels at Leicester College. Leicester College welcomed students who have completed T levels to collect their results on Thursday 17 August 2023. The overall pass rate for this cohort is 95 per cent with 67 per cent of students achieving merit and distinction grades and 19 per cent achieving distinction grades.T level results. This is the first cohort of students to complete T levels at Leicester College, since the courses were first launched in September 2021, in the subjects of Education and Childcare, Construction, Digital and IT, or Health and Science. Students from these subject areas collected their results from the College’s Abbey Park Campus following the two-year courses. This is the first results day for T level students in Leicester and several students have already secured job offers or a place on a university course since completing their courses in June. Their case studies can be read on the Leicester College website. T levels are a new type of technical-focused qualification for students who want a vocationally-based qualification and are equivalent to three A levels. T levels in Engineering and Manufacturing, Legal, Finance and Accounting and Management and Administration are also now available at the College. Alfie Ibbot, a construction T level student, said: “I would highly recommend a T level course to other learners. It has given me so much confidence in myself and my ability, as well as improved my attention to detail. If you have your heart set on a career, then a T level can help you get there – go for it!” Vice Principal at Leicester College, Debi Donnarumma, said: “We’re excited to welcome students to the first T level results day to collect their results. The courses have proven very popular and the feedback that we’ve had from students, about the courses and the opportunities that have now opened up for them, has been really positive. “We’re looking forward to introducing more T level subject areas in the coming years, helping young people to progress into a range of exciting careers.” Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon said: "T levels provide a unique ladder of opportunity for young people to gain the knowledge and on-the-job experience needed to progress into work, an apprenticeship or higher education. All the courses have been co-designed with employers to ensure that students get the skills they need to succeed. "From this September, there will be even more high-quality T levels available including agriculture and legal services, with more providers coming onboard, helping thousands of young people to progress into rewarding careers." Designed by employers with The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, T levels are two-year qualifications that combine classroom study and industry placements, giving students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge for which employers are looking. Students who successfully pass all parts of their T level will gain UCAS points, like A level students, which will allow them to go on to university. If you would like to know more about the T level programmes offered by Leicester College, visit www.leicestercollege.ac.uk/t-levels

The Leicestershire homebuilder put on an all-expenses-paid afternoon tea for 35 members of the support network for people with Parkinson’s disease in Melton Mowbray. Jessica Beasley (Marketing Manager) and Dawn Mellors (PA to the Sales Director) from Barratt Homes joined the group at the Sysonby Knoll Hotel for a cuppa and a chat, as they were able to meet the group’s members and learn about their experiences. Together, the housebuilder’s representatives and the support group were able to enjoy a selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones and refreshments. Paul Stammers, Co-Ordinator of the Melton Mowbray Parkinson's Support Group said: “We are a self-funding group and spend a great deal of our time raising money to allow our group to function and support the needs of our members. When Barratt Homes approached us and offered to provide an all-expense-paid afternoon tea, we were delighted for our members. “It’s gestures like this that make us feel appreciated in the community. “It has taken time to recover after Covid and the group is now back on its feet and are again able to offer our members monthly meetings with guest speakers, weekly exercise classes, outings and treats like an afternoon tea. “We would like to thank Barratt Homes and its staff members for providing the group with a very enjoyable and much appreciated afternoon.” Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition, which means it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. According to Parkinson’s UK, around 145,000 people live with the condition in the UK, and one in 37 people alive in the UK will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. There are over 40 symptoms of Parkinson’s, but the main three are a tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and rigidity, or muscle stiffness. The support group in Melton Mowbray offers friendship and a network for people with Parkinson’s through regular meet-ups in the town. The support from Barratt Homes, based nearby at Kings Meadow, was to ensure the group could get together without the need for added expense. Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “We were delighted that Jessica and Dawn had the chance to attend the afternoon tea for the Melton Mowbray Parkinson’s support group, as it provided us with the opportunity to get to know the group and the experiences of its members. “The support network of the group is extremely important, as with all community groups, and it was pleasing to hear how well-received the afternoon tea was for those getting together during the afternoon.” For more information about the network and its contact details, visit the website. Parkinson’s Support Group. For more information about any nearby developments, visit the website at Barratt Homes in Leicestershire.

Traders on a market in Beaumont Leys that was due to close next month have been told that the market can remain open until the end of the year. The city council announced last month that Beaumont Market would close on 3 September in light of current and predicted trading losses. But now City Mayor Peter Soulsby has decided that the market should remain open until after the busy Christmas shopping period. It will now close at the end of trading on Sunday 31 December. The City Mayor said: “I listened to the traders' concerns and became aware that many of them had already invested significant sums in their Christmas stock. "It therefore seems fair to keep Beaumont Market open until the end of the year, so the traders don't miss out on the busy Christmas trading period. “Our markets manager has already called most of the traders to let them have the good news. “I hope that this extended period of notice will give the traders more time to plan for the future.” Changes in shopping habits and declining customer numbers have resulted in fewer stallholders and a reduction in the income needed to give the market a viable future. Just 15 traders currently operate from Beaumont Market. The council is looking at options for selling the land on which the market operates, which is next to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre.

A business-like operation producing and distributing cannabis products has been shut down after two people were jailed for a number of offences. The offending of one of those people spanned over nearly 12 years. In March 2020 the force launched an investigation after postal packages of cannabis and THC based products were intercepted in Northamptonshire, having originated from Leicestershire. The investigation identified an illegal business that produced and distributed cannabis-based products across the UK, containing THC (a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis). Amrit Pal was identified as the man behind the operation and the investigation revealed his offending went as far back as 2011. Detectives uncovered the true scale of his criminality after they recovered numerous promotional videos and images of cannabis production. The cannabis was then being used to manufacture various products on a long-term commercial scale. He rented two factory units in Leicester for his drugs operation and used social media to promote the manufactured products his company - known as Purple THC or HighgradeSingh. Some of the THC products produced and supplied were advertised as having CBD health benefits, putting people’s lives at risk. Over 12 years he is estimated to have had an income in excess of £800,000. A number of PayPal accounts in Pal’s name were identified and were used by customers to pay for their orders. When officers searched premises associated to 34-year-old Pal they recovered drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £172,000. The evidence recovered during the investigation showed his lavish lifestyle funded through criminality including stays in high-end hotels, lavish holidays abroad and purchasing designer jewellery and clothes. At Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 9 August), Pal, formerly of Brent Knowle Gardens, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to production and supply of class B drugs between July 2011 and February 2023. During the investigation Manjeet Behal, was identified as having links with Pal. A warrant was executed at his home address in Uppingham Road and a number of cannabis plants and cultivating equipment was discovered. At a previous hearing, 36-year-old Behal pleaded guilty to producing a controlled class B drug, being concerned in the supply of a controlled class B drug and acquire/use/possess criminal property between June 2020 and January 2022. He was also sentenced yesterday to 18 months imprisonment. Detective Constable Owen Bird is the investigating officer in the case. He said: “To say this has been a lengthy and complex case is putting it lightly. The visual evidence we recovered following searches at properties associated with Pal was vast and it took a considerable amount of time for us to piece together his offending and how far back it went. “The whole business was set-up on a professional level and the promotional material we recovered showed the lengths Pal went to promote and sell his products, even enlisting the support of social media influencers. “The case itself generated more than 450 evidential documents, including witness statements, financial paperwork and forensic reports, as well as more than 5000 images and over 600 videos. “During the investigations he continued to offend despite being released under investigation. He had no regard for his actions and the health risks his products posed to customers. Often, promoting the products of having medicinal benefits, such as curing hair loss and skin conditions. “This case is believed to be one of the longest time periods of offending to be prosecuted in the UK for these types of offences. “We are pleased Pal and Behal pleaded guilty to their part in this business-like operation. The evidence against Pal was overwhelming and he had no choice but to admit his guilt. “While this is a great result and a testament to all the hard work that has gone into securing this outcome, we are no way complacent. We know where there is one gap others are waiting to fill it. Our commitment to tackling the misuse of drugs continues and we will bring perpetrators of such offences to justice. “Anyone who has any information about the misuse of drugs or has any suspicions about an individual’s activity is urged to report it to us. The easiest way to report information is via www.leics.police.uk or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.”

Four people have been found guilty of the “callous and cold-blooded” murder of two men after their car was rammed off a dual carriageway during a high-speed chase. Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, both 21, died instantly when their vehicle was rammed off the A46 near Six Hills, Leicestershire, during the early hours of 11 February last year crashing into a central reservation barrier and a tree. Mr Hussain, who was a passenger in the car, had made a 999 call just seconds earlier stating they were being chased by people in balaclavas, being rammed off the road and that they were going to die. A murder investigation was launched which led to Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari, Raees Jamal, Rekan Karwan, Sanaf Gulamustafa, Ameer Jamal, Natasha Akhtar and Mohammed Patel all being arrested and charged with the murder of Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin. Today, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari, Raees Jamal and Rekan Karwan were found guilty of the murders of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin. Sanaf Gulamustafa, Ameer Jamal and Natasha Akhtar were found not guilty of murder but were found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin. Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin Ansreen Bukhari Mahek Bukhari Raees Jamal Rekan Karwan Mohammed Patel was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter. Enquiries carried out during the murder investigation showed Mr Hussain had been in relationship with Ansreen Bukhari for around three years. After Ansreen Bukhari, who was married, tried to end the affair, Mr Hussain made threats to expose the relationship to her husband and to share sexual images and videos of Ansreen Bukhari. Ansreen Bukhari had offered to pay back money which Mr Hussain had spent during the relationship and it was arranged for Mr Hussain to meet with Ansreen Bukhari and her daughter Mahek Bukhari, who knew about the affair. However, Ansreen and Mahek Bukhari arrived at the arranged meet-up in the Tesco car park in Hamilton, Leicester, along with the six other defendants. The eight defendants were in two vehicles – an Audi TT and a Seat Leon. Mr Hussain then arrived at the car park in a Skoda Fabia, being driven by his friend Mr Ijuzaddin, who had said he would take him. CCTV footage showed the Skoda Fabia arrive in the car park and then immediately leave. The Audi TT and Seat Leon followed the Skoda out of the car park two minutes later. The cars then ultimately ended up in a chase before the 999 call was made by Mr Hussain. The collision itself was not captured on CCTV. Enquiries carried out by a force forensic collision investigator showed the Audi TT reached speeds of up to 100mph during the chase. The speed of the Skoda at the time of the collision was estimated at being in excess of 80mph. Damage found on the front of the Seat Leon was found to be consistent with colliding with the rear of the Skoda Fabia. The impact of the collision was found to have caused the Skoda to split into two and the engine of the car to detach from the body. Both victims died immediately from multiple injuries, prior to the fire taking hold. Both the Audi TT and the Seat Leon were found to have driven past the crashed vehicle before later driving back past the collision site. None of the defendants called 999. Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari and Akhtar were arrested during the same morning of the collision with Raees Jamal and Karwan being arrested three days later. Ameer Jamal and Gulamustafa were arrested in March. Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Inspector Mark Parish said: “This was a callous and cold-blooded attack which ultimately cost two men their lives. “After setting Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin up, chasing them at high speed and then ultimately ramming their car off the road, none of the defendants made any attempt to help the victims or to call for help. Instead they drove on and then even drove back past the collision site. Still no-one attempted to offer any help. “As the defendants found guilty were arrested, charged and stood trial before a court, lies were continually told in order to try and cover their tracks. Their only concern during the whole incident and investigation has been for themselves. “My thoughts at this time remain with Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin and their families. The past 16 months has been an extremely difficult and heart-breaking time for both families. They have not only had to come to terms with losing a family member in the most horrific way but have then had to hear extremely distressing details of this in court, waiting for justice to be done. My heartfelt thanks go to them for their bravery, support and co-operation throughout this time. “This investigation was an extremely complex case which involved officers from across different forces working together to ensure quick action was taken, that the full facts were established and that those responsible were quickly brought into custody. Thank you to every officer and staff member that has been involved in this investigation from the initial response to the investigation and court hearing. Your professionalism and dedication helped lead to this result here at court today.” Ansreen Bukhari, 46, of George Eardley Close, Stoke-on-Trent; Mahek Bukhari, 24, of George Eardley Close, Stoke-on-Trent; Raees Jamal, 23, of Lingdale Close, Loughborough; Rekan Karwan, 29, of Tomlin Road, Leicester; Sanaf Gulamustafa, 23, of Littlemore Close, Leicester; Ameer Jamal, 28, of Catherine Street, Leicester and Natasha Akhtar, 23, of Alum Rock Road, Birmingham; have all been remanded into custody and are due to be sentenced on Friday 1 September.

Road closures will be in place on part of Leicester’s busy A50 next week as work on a major highway improvement scheme progresses. Leicester City Council is carrying out an ambitious redevelopment of the A50/Fiveways junction and its connecting roads, in northwest Leicester, to help make this important and busy route safer and easier to use for all road users. As part of the project, the council is completely redesigning and overhauling the busy junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road. Once complete, the major improvement scheme will deliver a reconfigured and simplified junction with improved pedestrian crossings and major improvements on its connecting roads, including new cycle lanes, wider footpaths and improved routes for buses. Work is being carried out in phases to help minimise disruption, with the overall project expected to be complete by Spring 2024. Several phases of work are now largely complete – including improvements to Buckminster Road, Stephenson Drive, Fosse Road North and Groby Road cycleway – with work set to begin on the junction of Woodgate and Fiveways from next week. On Tuesday 8 August, Woodgate will be closed to outbound traffic at its junction with Fiveways for one day only. Then, from Thursday 10 August, Woodgate will be closed to inbound traffic between its junctions with Fiveways and Marshall Street for up to two weeks. This is needed while work to reconfigure kerbs, ducting and drainage are carried out. Well signed diversions will be in place. Work is then due to move onto Fiveways junction itself which will be subject to a rolling programme of short-term road closures from Thursday 24 August, for up to five weeks. This is to allow the newly reconfigured junction to be fully resurfaced. Full details will be publicised nearer the time. Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council director of highways, said: “This a major scheme that will make huge improvements to one of the most confusing junctions in Leicester. It will help simplify Fiveways for drivers and make it a much more attractive and route for all road users. “We’re working hard to minimise disruption by carrying out work in phases and keeping road closures to a minimum. However, we will need to introduce a rolling programme of short-term closures over the coming weeks as we come to resurfacing the newly reconfigured junction.” The scheme – which is expected to cost about £10.4million – is being 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 provide more safer routes for walkers, wheelers and cyclists in the city centre and local neighbourhoods.

Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of drink drug driving following the latest national figures which show that the number of people being killed is at a twelve-year high. Department for Transport data published on 27th July estimate that there were around 260 drink drive fatalities in 2021 which is a significantly increase on 2020. Meanwhile the number of people killed and seriously injured was 1880 which is an increase of 23% on 2020. Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, Head of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Leicestershire Police, said, “Driving while impaired, whether through drink or drugs, devastates lives. Sadly, each year drink and drugs are a contributory factor in death and serious injury on the UK’s roads. “Despite our continued road safety messages, it is quite clear that far too many drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired by drink or drugs.” “Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit, including the morning after, can I remind drivers not to put themselves and others at risk by choosing to have None for the Road.” “Drivers should be aware that Leicestershire Police patrol 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to challenge drink drug drivers and bring them before the courts.” If you see someone who appears to be a drink or drug driverenter a vehicle to drive away, make a note of the registration plate and the direction of travel and call your local police on 101 or make a make a free and anonymous call to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. For arrest updates during the campaign, which will run until Thursday 31st August, follow us on: @RoadSafeLeics and facebook.com/LLRroadsafety

The city council has announced that Beaumont Market, located in Beaumont Leys, will close from September this year in the light of current and predicted trading losses. The 15 traders currently operating there are being offered stalls at Leicester Market until planned redevelopment work begins in October. Peter Chandler, head of economic regeneration at the city council said: “Shopping habits have changed since the market opened in the 1980’s, and there has been a gradual decline in shopping there over several years. This has resulted in fewer stallholders and a reduction in the income needed to give the market a viable future. “We are in the process of giving the current stallholders notice to leave, and talking to them about whether they wish to take up the offer of trading space at Leicester Market. “We realise this will be disappointing news and it is not a decision we have taken lightly. We will be doing all we can to help the traders find alternative places to trade, either at Leicester Market or in other suitable council-owned premises.” The council is looking at the options for selling the land on which the market operates, next to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre. Work is set to begin on the redevelopment of Leicester’s historic city centre market in the autumn. During the refurbishment, traders at Leicester Market will be temporarily relocated to Green Dragon Square, behind the Corn Exchange. Improvements to Leicester Market will include more than 80 new stalls, new lighting, green roofs and solar panels, new paving around the market and more outdoor seating.

Young visitors to Leicester city centre can celebrate National Playday this week by taking part in a day of fun – and free – activities. The city council’s family-friendly event takes place in Town Hall Square on Wednesday (2 August) from 11am until 3pm, with lots going on for those aged 0-12. Activities at Leicester’s Playday will include traditional games, such as skipping and hula hooping, as well as creative play sessions and lots of arts and crafts activities. There will also be storytelling with Leicester Libraries’ BookBus and a stay-and-play area for parents and babies – and, of course, the chance to hook-a-duck from the Town Hall Square fountain. Staff from Leicester’s Libraries will be encouraging young people to join the Summer Reading Challenge, which this year has a sports and games theme. Ready, Set, Read is encouraging youngsters to walk, skip or scoot to their local library, where they’ll pick up stickers and rewards for every book that they read by 17 September. Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “The city council’s annual Playday is a great opportunity for families with young children to have some fun together in the heart of the city centre. “Play is a vital part of a child’s healthy development, so we are pleased to support this national initiative with a day of free activities that the whole family can enjoy. ”The weather isn’t particularly summery at the moment, but even if it's a bit grey and damp on Wednesday, we’ll still be hooking ducks from the Town Hall Square fountain and there’ll be some activities under cover. So wear something waterproof and come and join in the fun!” National Playday is co-ordinated by Play England and is supported by local authorities across the UK. Anyone who can’t join in the fun on Wednesday can still take part in two ‘mini’ playdays that will take place in Town Hall Square on Wednesday 9 August and Wednesday 16 August. Mini playdays run from 11am until 2pm. Other ideas for summer fun in Leicester include a Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station tomorrow (Tuesday 1 August, from 11.30am-4pm), Gruesome Gargoyles & Castles of Clay at the Guildhall on Thursday 3 Aug (£3 charge) and the Caribbean Carnival parade, which will wend its way from Victoria Park to the city centre and back again on Saturday afternoon (5 August). More ideas for free or low-cost family activities in Leicester are available here