Search Results

Hundreds of fines have been sent to drivers after a new camera car caught them breaking parking rules in Leicester. The city council has introduced a new enforcement car, equipped with a number plate recognition camera, to help tackle illegal and dangerous parking. Since taking to the streets four weeks ago, the CCTV car has captured a total of 1,509 motorists flouting existing parking restrictions across the city. Anyone caught parking illegally by the camera car will be automatically issued with a £70 fixed penalty notice. The new CCTV car can be used to monitor and enforce moving parking offences on red routes, zigzag markings on school streets, and bus stop clearways where illegal parking can put the safety of others at risk and cause unnecessary congestion. Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “In its first four weeks, the CCTV enforcement car has caught hundreds of motorists flouting parking rules. They will now face a fine, but more importantly receive a strong message that illegal and dangerous parking will not go unpunished. “We know that camera enforcement and fines can be a very effective deterrent. We are sending the CCTV car out to areas where we know there are persistent issues with illegal parking but no current fixed camera enforcement. “Councils have a duty to tackle dangerous and illegal parking. We are confident that the new CCTV enforcement will be an effective tool to clamp down on dangerous and inconsiderate parking, especially in areas where there are lots of children and busy traffic.” In the first 28 days, the CCTV car’s patrols haves resulted in 1,475 fines being issued for illegal parking on red routes on London Road, Gravel Street and Abbey Lane. A further 34 penalty charge notices have been issued for illegal parking close to school gates outside eight city schools. The purchase and ongoing maintenance of the CCTV enforcement car will be paid for from parking fine income with any surplus ringfenced for local road safety improvements. Leicester City Council News

Two new 20mph zones are set to be introduced in residential parts of Leicester. Leicester City Council has approved plans to place the reduced limit on 42 streets in the Aylestone and Guilford Road areas of the city. The proposed schemes are the latest in a rolling programme of 20mph zones citywide. In Aylestone, 36 residential roads will be covered by the new 20mph zone, extending restrictions already in place in the area. Most of the roads covered by the new scheme will be between Aylestone Road and Saffron Lane, stretching from Duncan Road in the south up to Boundary Road and Hughenden Drive. It includes roads close to Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Traffic calming measures are proposed for the Aylestone scheme. These will include speed cushions on Duncan Road and Milligan Road, and a raised table to provide a continuous footway on Duncan Road. The Guilford Road scheme will cover the following six roads: Barrington Road, Dovedale Road, part of Freemantle Road, Guilford Road, part of Knighton Grange Road, and Westminster Road. Speed bumps will also be introduced as part of the scheme. The introduction of the new 20mph zones follows consultations with ward councillors and residents with most responses in favour of the proposed schemes. Of the residents that responded to the Aylestone Park proposals, 81 per cent were in favour of the plans, with 90 per cent of respondents supporting the proposals for the Guilford Road area. Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “We’ve listened to ward councillors and residents to ensure that these latest two 20mph zones are a good fit for their local areas. “It’s the latest phase of a rolling programme that has seen improvements made in communities across the city to help make residential streets safer for everyone to use. "Lower traffic speeds greatly reduce the risk and severity of traffic collisions, help reduce noise and anti-social driving, and can encourage people to feel more confident about walking or cycling in their neighbourhoods." The total estimated cost of the introducing the two new zones is £145,000 and will be funded from the council’s transport improvement works budget. Implementation of the schemes is expected to be later this year. LCC News

Ease off, before it kicks off’ – the message of Leicestershire Police’s new behaviour change campaign which aims to reduce and prevent violent crime within the night time economy caused by cocaine use. Designed by police colleagues and behaviour change experts, the data-led campaign, which is aimed at men aged between 18 and 40-years-old, encourages men using cocaine on a night out to get support and take back control. Launching today (Tuesday 1 August), #CharlieIsInControl comes following a detailed study which has shown a rise in low-level violence in the night-time economy related to cocaine use. The campaign creatively turns ‘Charlie’, a reference for cocaine, into a character. Charlie’s influence becomes clear from the campaign video as he is presented as manipulative and controlling. A representation is made of how cocaine changes a person’s behaviour and the relationships they have with others. "Violent Crime such as actual bodily harm (ABH), assault or affray happening in the night time economy related to cocaine use has risen by 27% over the last two years. “Since July 2022, we have studied a cohort of 600 individuals as part of the Drugs Testing on Arrest programme (DToA). The aim of DToA is to identify individuals arrested for criminal offences who would benefit from drug treatment or support, and divert them to such services. Being involved in this data collection has helped to identify repeating factors and led to us forming this campaign. “Our aim is simple - we want to increase engagement with support services which are available to help stop cocaine use and to encourage changed behaviour. Taking cocaine can cause lasting harm. We want people affected by cocaine use to get the support and to take back control.” Leicestershire’s local support service for substance misuse, Turning Point, have supported the project by providing key insight to help design suitable learning material. The educational campaign content will be shown to those in custody at a time when they are reflecting on their behaviour and actions. Turning Point currently work within Leicestershire Police’s custody suites by offering confidential advice and support as a first step towards making a positive change. The campaign aims to increase custody referrals and self-made referrals for those who also need help but are not in custody. Klaudia Wawrzyniak, Specialist Custody Suite Advanced Recovery Practitioner at Turning Point, said: “We have worked closely in collaboration with Leicestershire Police to develop this powerful campaign. Its aim is to educate people and offer a point of reflection of the impact drugs and alcohol have when related to subsequent offending. Allowing people to make alternative choices on a night out. “Through working in the custody suites, we have seen increasing numbers of people having been found in a police cell under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. We look forward to utilising this material in various interventions with service users across the service, including group work and 1:1 key work appointments.” Leicestershire Police developed the project with support from Together Agency and partners, Turning Point. The campaign will launch today across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. For full details and further information visit: #CharlieIsInControl

A man has died after he was arrested in New Parks last night. Police cordon on Aikman Avenue Leicestershire police have just released the following statement. An investigation is being carried out into the death of a man following police contact. Officers were called to a report of a man causing significant damage inside a flat in Aikman Avenue, Leicester, just before 7pm last night (Thursday). The caller was concerned about their own safety, as well as the safety of the person causing the damage. On arrival officers detained the man, who became unresponsive, and CPR was carried out. He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died just before 10pm. A scene preservation was in place last night on the corner of Aikman Avenue and Pinder Road and has now been lifted. We would ask any witnesses to make contact with us. The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Video taken Thursday 14th July 2022 10:30pm

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

Murder investigation launched following discovery of a body – three men in custody A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a body in a house in the West End area of Leicester. Officers went into a house in Harrow Road at 4pm on Friday afternoon (24 March) and found the body of a man. Formal identification has not yet been carried out. A post-mortem examination will be taking place. A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. Two further arrests were made last night. A 45-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, also arrested on suspicion of murder, remain in police custody. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “We are at the scene and will be over the coming days, carrying out house-to-house enquiries and trawling CCTV to piece together the movements of the victim and the suspects. “We are still in the very early stages in the investigation, working to identify what’s happened and when, and who’s responsible. “If anyone has any information about anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Harrow Road in the last few days, please, contact us with information. “We’d also ask people to contact us with CCTV footage or dash cam footage – have you been in the area of Harrow Road in the days before Friday 24 March? Were you using your phone and have any phone footage that might help us? “Anything, no matter how small you think it is, it may be helpful to this investigation. Please, we urge you to get in touch.” Information can be given to the force via the online portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM23I25-PO1 or by calling 101, quoting incident number 271 of 25 March.

A Teenager was Stabbed in the city tonight. Picture by Leicester Media Parts of Charles Street at the corner of Humberstone Gate is currently closed to the public. Early reports are saying a man was taken to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, with injuries unknown. A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “We were called at 5.50pm to a report of a stabbing in Humberstone Gate. “A 19-year-old man was injured and has been taken to Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment to a stab wound. 🔴 Full Police statement released Issued on 20/3/19 at 7:09 p.m. Officers are in attendance following a report of a stabbing in Humberstone Gate, Leicester. Police were called at 5.50pm this afternoon. The injured man, a 19-year-old, has been taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment for a stab wound. There are cordons in place in Humberstone Gate and in Charles Street. The incident happened in Charles Street, and the injured man then moved to Humberstone Gate. No roads are closed. Officers are in the area and are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident. Patrol and Resolution Inspector Gaynor Turner is dealing with the incident. She said: “We know there were some cross words between the suspects and the injured man just before the incident from some witnesses we have already spoken to. “But any information that can help us identify the person, or people responsible for causing this injury, is vital.” Call 101, quoting incident number 581 of 20 March. Updated News A man arrested following a stabbing in Leicester city centre on Wednesday evening (20 March) has been released from police custody. The 24-year-old was arrested yesterday (Thursday) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following the incident on Humberstone Gate, Leicester. He has been released from police custody pending further investigation. #LivesNotKnives #humberstonegate #leicesterStabbing

IMAGE: Commardarie in Action: AGE UK’s Men In Sheds members working on a project. The Melton Building Society Charitable Foundation is proud to announce its 25th anniversary. Established in 1998, the Foundation has been dedicated to promoting and supporting local charitable and community activities within a 15-mile radius of each of the Building Society's branch offices in Melton Mowbray, Grantham, Oakham, Bourne and Stamford. Over the past 25 years, the Charitable Foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals and organisations in need. Through its fundraising efforts, the Foundation has raised over £400,000 to support local charities and community initiatives in Melton Mowbray. "We are thrilled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Melton Building Society Charitable Foundation," said Simon Taylor, Chief Executive of Melton Building Society. "Throughout the years, the Foundation has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the community. We are immensely proud of the £404,000 donated thus far, which is a testament to the generosity and collective efforts of our employees, members, and supporters." Martin Reason, Chair of Trustees at the Foundation, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We wish to sincerely thank all the Trustees who have played a role in supporting our communities over the years. Your efforts have made a lasting impact on individuals and made way for positive change." Throughout September, Melton Building Society will be shining a spotlight on some of the incredible charities and initiatives that the Foundation has supported over the years. Their social media pages will be sharing inspiring stories of how the Foundation has helped to improve lives and build stronger communities. Simon continues: “As the Foundation enters its 26th year, Melton Building Society remains dedicated to its mission of creating a lasting impact within the communities it serves. The Charitable Foundation's legacy of generosity will continue to uplift and support local charities, organisations and individuals in need, for many more years to come.”

A man has died following a collision in Aylestone Road this morning (Friday 25 November). Shortly before 4am, an officer from the force’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) attempted to stop a black BMW, but the driver failed to do so. A pursuit was authorised but a short time later the car – which was travelling county-bound – collided with a tree close to the junction with Richmond Avenue. The driver of the car – a man in his 20s – was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger – a man in his 20s – suffered injuries that were not life-threatening or life-changing. He has since been discharged from hospital. The road was closed for a number of hours to allow the investigation to take place and has since reopened. Following the collision, as is mandatory following any death involving police contact, the force’s Professional Standards Department were informed and the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The investigation will be led by the IOPC. As part of the investigation, following a routine roadside drugs test, an officer has been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs and has since been released from custody while more detailed blood tests are carried out. Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The investigation is in its early stages, and will be continuing throughout the evening. “I would ask anyone with dashcam footage, who saw the collision occur or saw the black BMW beforehand to get in touch. Any details you’re able to provide could help.” You can pass on information by visiting and quoting incident 51 of 25 November. Alternatively call 101. #LeicsPolice #AylestoneRoad #LMNews

A rapist who shattered a woman's skull and left her "for dead" in a children's play park in Leicester has been jailed for life. Zakarya Etarghi 24 was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Monday 25 March) to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum of 18 years before he is eligible for parole. He has also been ordered to be on the sex offenders register for life. He attacked his victim in a play park in Cedar Road, Leicester during the early hours of 3 August 2018. She was later found by a member of the public and taken to hospital where she was treated for life-threatening injuries from which she is still recovering. After fleeing the scene, Etarghi was arrested by police in Stoke-on-Trent, where he had gone into hiding. He was identified through forensic analysis taken from items found at the scene. He was seen on CCTV buying alcohol from a nearby shop prior to carrying out the attack and then later on a street close to the park, making off from the scene. Etarghi, of no fixed address was found guilty of attempted murder and rape on Wednesday 6 March following a trial at Leicester Crown Court. Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, the senior investigating officer, said: “Immediately after carrying out the attack, Etarghi knew he was a wanted man and attempted to go into hiding. “However, he has been brought to justice and is now facing a substantial prison sentence for what was a brutal and horrific crime. His victim is still recovering from the injuries she suffered and I can only hope that she has taken some comfort from the fact that Etarghi is now behind bars.”

Armed police on Loughborough Road in Leicester. One man was seen detained by Armed officers. along with order armed police raids across Leicester today. Updated News Issued on 6/10/18 at 10:09 p.m. A Leicester man has been charged after a police officer was seriously injured yesterday (Friday 5 October). This evening (Saturday 6 October) Yasin Adam, 25, of Bradbourne Road, was charged with attempted murder and dangerous driving. He has been remanded into custody to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday (8 October). The charges relate to an incident in Bradbourne Road, Leicester, when an attempt was made to stop a vehicle. An officer was struck as the car left the area. He sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital undergoing treatment. Two other men who were arrested in connection with the incident have been released from custody pending further investigations. Police confirmed that an armed officer was injured this morning in Bradbourne Road. Four men have been arrested following two serious incidents in Leicester this morning. Police were called to a report of a man assaulted in Belvoir street at around 3am. The arrests are in connection with the officer being injured in Bradbourne Road. A 25-year-old man from Leicester was arrested in the Portsmouth Road area. Two other men, aged 21, and 20, both from Leicester were arrested shortly after in the Loughborough Road area. full story on Leicester Mercury https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/timeline-what-know-far-armed-2077913?utm_source=sharebar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sharebar Video By Leicester Media Image by Leicester Media

Sunday 30th September 2018 07:15 Image by Craig Thorpe Leicester Media 2 Appliances from Central 1 from Western 1 from Southern, Aerial Ladder Platform from Central, Command Support Vehicle from Wigston and 1 Station Manager Reports of a property involved in fire. Fires Crews confirmed roof space well alight, 3 High Pressure hose reels 1 main jet in use. 6 Breathing Apparatus wearers committed to property. Aerial Ladder Platform also in use. Western Power, Police and Ambulance in attendance. Electrics to property have been isolated. Updated 10:30 Fire now extinguished and all breathing apparatus withdrawn. All persons now accounted for. Incident has been scaled down to 2 Appliances and the Aerial Ladder Platform. Aerial Ladder Platform in use for damping down. We will update you with a Public Statement when Issued.