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Prominent figures from across the city are coming together to stand up against knife crime and to promote ambition. Leicester has the 5th highest knife crime statistics in the country, the City has been failed as no local interventions have taken place and young lives keep being lost. Leicester music sensation Mark Morrison has teamed up with leading peer, Baroness Verma, Amy Morgan whose son was tragically killed after being stabbed, Desmond Belle of Leicester Community Radio and a host of others. The group will gather support for a creative hub alongside a Community Enterprise Hub that will enable young people to access equipment and support within the different industry-related sectors. This will give tomorrow’s future opportunities that they currently do not have. Mark said “I aspire to give young people hope and raise their ambitions at MackLife Studios, the creative Hub that will allow talent to flourish in a safe environment. We will all work with the different stakeholders that have already started to pledge their support. I am excited to be able to do something positive in my home City and look forward to helping drive down the plague of crime by replacing it with talented ambitious young people” The proposals drawn up by Mark himself are supported by young people throughout Leicester. Baroness Verma believes that these proposals will benefit everybody, she said “the Macklife Studios will be a real catalyst in eliminating what holds young people back. Having a well-known figure like Mark Morrison wishing to put his time and energy into the City is fantastic and with the goodwill of all the necessary stakeholders, it will undoubtedly be a game-changer for aspiring young people. After spending time with Amy Morgan, the obvious outcome is to try and stop as many families as possible from having to go through the heartbreak and pain of losing a child, a young family member” The hub will also house the Tyler Thompson Foundation (which will support the families that have suffered the despair that knife crime brings) and Leicester Community Radio Station.

Hairdessers, cinemas, places of worship, cafés, bars and restaurants will be able to open in Leicester from Monday (3 August) as infection rates in the city continue to decline. The Government's review of Leicester’s lockdown has led to the following changes to restrictions in the city: You can meet up to six people from outside your household in parks and open spaces, keeping 2m apart You can go on day trips and make non-essential journeys from today (Friday) You can go on holiday with people you live with from Monday (3 August) You can visit a hairdresser, café, bar, cinema or restaurant from Monday (3 August) You can go to a place of worship for collective worship from Monday (3 August) You cannot visit family or friends inside their homes or in their gardens You cannot stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them You cannot meet up with anyone from outside your household in a café, bar or restaurant The Government announced late last night (Thursday) that the city’s progress in tackling a spike in coronavirus cases justified a gradual easing of restrictions, with the local infection rate now less than half what it was in late June. But with the number of positive results in Leicester still high, with 59 per 100,000 in the seven days to 25 July, some measures must stay in place to prevent the disease from spreading – and to ensure that the infection rate continues to come down. Director of public health Ivan Browne said: “What we’re seeing in Leicester is the transmission of the virus between households. “In some cases, this is because individuals are showing no symptoms of the disease and therefore aren’t aware of the risk they pose. “That’s why restrictions on meeting up with other households indoors, and visiting friends and families in their homes, will have to remain in place for a while longer in Leicester. “I appreciate this is hard to do, and I want to thank everyone who’s followed the guidance and stayed away from their friends and family’s homes for all these months, but we need to keep doing what we’re doing to stop this virus from being passed on. “The good news is that the sacrifices we’re all making are paying off, as infection rates are continuing to fall. “My message remains the same: please don’t visit other people’s homes; work from home if you can; keep social distancing; keep practising good hand hygiene; get a test at the first sign of coronavirus symptoms and, most importantly, please stay at home and self-isolate for at least 10 days if you test positive for coronavirus – and make sure others in your household quarantine for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. “If we can do this, and bring the infection rate right down, we will be in a much better position as we head towards winter.” With the festivals of Eid-Al-Adha taking place today (Friday 31 July) and Raksha Bandhan on Monday (3 August), families in Leicester are being urged to celebrate safely at home, and not to meet up with family and friends. The Government has said that households in Leicester and some other parts of the country should not meet up, even in gardens. Assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods Cllr Kirk Master said: “As a Muslim myself, I know that we’d normally share these special occasions with our extended families and our closest friends. But this year, it’s just not possible to do that in person. “Join your family via a video call, or speak to them on the phone, and please follow the guidelines. The best way to show how much we care for our families, our friends and our community is to celebrate safely at home.” Assistant city mayor for equalities Cllr Rita Patel said: “Families across the city will be marking the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Monday. This is a time to celebrate the relationship between brothers and sisters and families. “Unfortunately it will not be possible for people to visit each other’s houses to tie Rakhis this year in the same way they usually would, so I would urge everyone to show their love for their family by celebrating in their own home, and only with those they live with.” Places of worship in the city will continue to be open for private prayer only, until the restrictions are lifted on Monday (3 August). Also on Monday (3 August), restrictions on overnight stays away from home will be lifted, which means that people will be able to go away on holiday. However, people will not be able to stay with another household where they do travel – unless they've already formed a bubble with them. Gyms, swimming pools, museums, libraries and leisure centres will remain closed in Leicester for the time being. Restrictions on travel in and out of the city, however, have now been lifted so people can make day trips and any non-essential journeys. Visiting other people’s homes, and overnight stays with other households, however, is not permitted. The Government has said it will review the situation in Leicester by Thursday 13 August. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “What is now planned for Leicester is the approach we should have adopted four weeks ago. “We needed the data – which we are at least beginning to get – to identify where the infection rates are high in the city. “We are now able to use a targeted approach to help those households and neighbourhoods affected to contain the virus. This is so much better than a clumsy, city-wide lockdown.” In the seven days to 24 July, there were 228 cases in Leicester. Last month, in the seven days to 24 June, there were 556 cases. Continuing restrictions and changes to restrictions confirmed today (Friday) are summarised below: YOU CAN: Meet up to six people from outside your household outdoors (not in private gardens), keeping 2m apart From now: go on day trips and make non-essential journeys From Monday (3 August): go on holiday with people you live with From Monday (3 August): visit a hairdresser, café, bar or restaurant. Cinemas are also able to reopen. Remember to wear a mask and to respect social distancing rules. From Monday (3 August): go to a place of worship for collective worship YOU CANNOT: visit family or friends inside their homes or in their gardens stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them meet up with anyone from outside your household in a café, bar or restaurant use a gym, a swimming pool or a play area. These remain closed for the time being The Government’s guide to what you can and cannot do in Leicester is available here Answers to some frequently asked questions are available on the city council’s website Anyone noticing the first signs of coronavirus – which could include a high temperature, a continuous cough or changes to their sense of taste or smell – must stay at home and arrange a test immediately. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with symptoms should get themselves tested urgently too. To book a test at a testing centre in Leicester, go to www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119. Following new guidance from the Chief Medical Officer, anyone testing positive for Covid-19 must now self-isolate at home for at least 10 days, or until their symptoms have gone. Anyone living in the same household as someone who tests positive must stay at home for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. Advice for everyone in Leicester remains as follows: Stay 2m apart from anyone outside of your household Wash your hands regularly Limit your contact with other people Wear a face covering on buses, in shops, in hospitals and in any confined space Don’t meet up with other people in their homes or gardens Book a test as soon as symptoms appear at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test No internet access? Call 119 to book your test If you test positive, stay at home for at least 10 days and until you feel better Members of your household should stay at home for 14 days Published on Friday, July 31, 2020 LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

I was petrified of my dad as a child, so charity’s holiday was my escape’ says Leicester woman A woman who had a tough childhood has spoken about the huge difference a Leicester charity’s holiday trip made to her life. Naomi, now aged 31, went on holiday to Mablethorpe with the charity when she was eight. For her, it was an escape from life at her Leicester home. For account manager Naomi, the initial two-week stay with Leicester Children’s Holidays in 1996 made a huge impact on her. She said: “It suddenly allowed me to be a child again. I could have fun and it was so good to feel safe and carefree.” Naomi, who currently lives in Leicester with her grandfather, said: “I saw things at home that a child should not see. My father was jailed seven times when I was growing up. For more than half of my childhood he was in prison. She remembers how when she was very little, she was always daddy’s girl. She said: “But I grew up petrified of him. Mum protected me and I stayed a lot at my nana and grandad’s, the house where I live now. When my father was in prison we always managed. My mum even had to face court action by my father to get the right to see me. “Along the way my mum and nana were my rocks. Without them both I am not sure I would have coped.” She grew up as only child and went away to Mablethorpe with the charity three times and, just like today, was put forward by her schools, first Coleman Primary and later Linden Primary. And just like today, her mum and her nana took her to the charity’s headquarters at Holy Bones to get her on the coach. “I remember being terribly travel sick”, Naomi said. “My mum always handed me a carrier bag and a bottle ofwater just in case. But I always had an amazing time. “I remember the dorms with 12 girls in each, the cold floors and choosing your bed. I always picked the same one. It was exciting for us children and we seemed to make friends easily. “I don’t remember what film I watched last week but I remember vividly watching Star Wars at a little cinema owned by a lovely couple. It was a real treat. “I remember playing on the beach, the obstacle course and the treasure hunt which was half on the beach and half in the house.” She left home at 18 and studied at De Montfort University and went to work in Birmingham as an account manager and now she is back living in Leicester. Naomi said: “The experience with my father really made me push myself to be an adult. I grew up quickly. I legally ‘divorced’ my father when I was 13 and was determined to be successful and be nothing like him. I never smoked or even considered taking drugs. “I loved my holidays in Mablethorpe and I realised the value of a break. I thought the charity had closed down when the Mablethorpe centre shut but then I saw on LeicestershireLive Facebook site about children’s holidays. “I had to go into the shop at Highcross in Leicester and realised it was the same charity which helped me 23 years ago. I gladly did some gift wrapping for them to help raise money and hope to volunteer again for them in the future.” For the first time in 75 years, Leicester Children’s Holidays’ summer 2020 trips for disadvantaged children have been postponed. Eight-five excited children from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland were lined up to go to Hilltop Outdoor Centre near Sheringham but the centre is not re-opening this summer. The reason is the difficulties children and staff would have to maintain social distancing in the living quarters. During both world wars the charity was proud to allow its centre in Mablethorpe to be used by troops focused on the country’s coastal defences. The charity hopes many of the children will be able to go on holiday next summer, if not before. The charity’s manager Nicky Kandola said: “The fundraising will continue and we will do our best to increase the number of disadvantaged children we take on holiday. “We have investigated alternative holiday centres and even day trips and waited until the last possible moment to make the announcement.” To volunteer at Leicester Children’s Holidays, go to the website here. The charity offers free respite breaks for children aged eight to 11 who live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and may face difficult circumstances at home. The youngsters may live in a low-income family, have suffered a bereavement, be a child carer looking after a parent or sibling, or need a break for a host of other reasons.

Biggest testing operation in the country helping city’s bid to drive down its Covid 19 infection rate The biggest community testing operation in the country is under way in Leicester as the city continues to track down the coronavirus and stop its transmission. At least 70,000 tests have been carried out in the city across all settings – not including care homes and workplaces – since 20 June, with drive-through, walk-in and pop-up testing centres now in place in local neighbourhoods. Thousands of those tests have been carried out in people’s homes, thanks to an army of volunteers who have been delivering self-testing kits to households in key areas of the city. With most test results confirmed within 24 hours, those carrying the virus can be quickly identified and asked to self-isolate, and people they have been in close contact with can be traced and isolated too – preventing the virus from being passed on. And although there’s still a long way to go, early signs are encouraging, with 1.9% of all tests taken in the week to 20 July returning a positive result, compared with a rate of 13.1% at the end of June. Infection rates for the city show there were 157 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 26 June, but that rate had dropped to 74 per 100,000 people in the seven days to 18 July. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Testing is vitally important as it provides us with the information we need to track the virus – and the evidence we need to show that the infection rate is falling in Leicester. “That’s why we’re helping to run the biggest testing operation in the country, mobilising around 500 volunteers to support door-to-door testing, particularly in areas of the city where positive test results have been higher. “The scale of the operation is unprecedented, with testing in Leicester accounting for more than 10% of all the tests being carried out in the whole country. “Working with our partners, we’re inviting people to get tested even if they don’t have symptoms, to help identify anyone who’s carrying the virus and passing it on, even though they’re asymptomatic themselves. “If we offer you a test, I would urge you to take it – and of course anyone with symptoms should stay at home and book a test as quickly as possible. “I’m pleased to say that the response we’ve had to the testing programme has been extremely positive, as no one wants to pass the virus on to members of their family and people recognise that increased testing is our route out of lockdown. “We all want to eliminate this virus from our city – and the sooner we can prove that infection rates are falling, the sooner lockdown restrictions on Leicester will be lifted.” Since 9 July, city council-led teams of volunteers have been delivering easy-to-use self-testing kits to homes in neighbourhoods across the city. This activity has been running in parallel with door-to-door testing, primarily in north-east Leicester, where volunteers have been calling on people at home to offer them a free test, carried out by NHS staff in mobile testing units nearby. Door-to-door testing is complementing the testing sites at Birstall Park & Ride, Evington Leisure Centre, Spinney Hill Park, Victoria Park, the Highfields Centre, the Shree Prajapati Community Centre, the Overton Road ball court and the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Tests at these facilities can be booked by calling 119. Leicester’s director of public health Ivan Browne said a testing programme will continue in the city for as long as it’s needed during the pandemic. “By searching out the virus and ensuring that those with it isolate and don’t pass it on to others, we will be able to bring the transmission rate down in Leicester,” he said. “However, that doesn’t mean it will disappear completely, either here or in the rest of the country, so we must continue to be vigilant and follow the rules about hand hygiene and social distancing that will keep us all safe.” The community testing programme is a joint initiative between the city council, the Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, local health teams and the national test and trace programme. The city council has also set up its own tracing scheme to contact people who have tested positive for Covid-19, but who the national test and trace programme have been unable to reach. During its first five days of operation, the council’s scheme has been able to contact 53 of the 61 cases referred to it (86.8 per cent) within 48 hours of referral. City council staff have contacted those individuals by phone or visited them at home to inform them that they need to self-isolate – and to gather information about the people they have been in close contact with. Details of those contacts are then passed back to Public Health England for tracing. Anyone noticing the first signs of coronavirus – which could include a high temperature, a continuous cough or changes to their sense of taste or smell – must stay at home and arrange a test immediately. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with symptoms should get themselves tested urgently too. The test for coronavirus – which is free of charge – is a simple throat and nasal swab. To book a test at a testing centre in Leicester, go to www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-testor call 119. Anyone testing positive must self-isolate at home for seven days, or until their symptoms have gone. Anyone living in the same household as someone who tests positive must stay at home for 14 days to stop the virus from spreading. Advice for everyone in Leicester remains as follows: Stay at home as much as possible Stay 2m apart from anyone outside of your household Wash your hands regularly Make essential journeys only Limit your contact with other people Wear a face mask on buses, in hospitals, in shops, and in any confined space Don’t meet up with people in their homes or in any indoor space Book a test as soon as symptoms appear at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test No internet access? Call 119 to book your test If you test positive, stay at home for at least 7 days and until you feel better Members of your household should stay at home for 14 days Leicester City Council News

Colleagues at a Central England Co-op store in Leicestershire were given a boost in their efforts to encourage all customers to wear face coverings when acting legend Stephen Graham stopped off for some supplies wearing a mask. The star of big and small screen hits that include Line of Duty, This is England and Pirates of the Caribbean nipped in to Ibstock Food Store, in Ashby Road, for some supplies and donned a face covering in line with new guidance that came into force from today. The 46-year-old, who lives in the area with his family, chatted with staff and customers and even posed for a photograph with Team Leader Julie Marlow. She said: “Stephen is a really nice guy and was happy to chat with colleagues and customers and have his picture taken. “It was also great to see him wearing his mask and is great that someone so high profile is setting a good example for everyone to follow. “I would also like to say a big thank you to our customers with regards to wearing face coverings. Although it is early days they have really embraced and, alongside our team here, have come together to support each other in an effort to stay safe.” The star is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation and further credits include working with director Martin Scorsese on Gangs of New York and The Irishman, playing Al Capone in HBO series Boardwalk Empire and most recently stealing the screen in Sky One show Save Me. This came in the same week that former England star Paul Gascoigne chatted with staff at Overseal Food Store, in Burton Road, after nipping in on a couple of occasions while doing business locally. Store Manager Kim Grice said: “It is not very often you get a living legend shopping in your store so it has all been quite amazing really. His surprise shopping visits have really created quite a buzz among the entire community. “It is great to think that a superstar like Gazza has given our little Central England Co-op a thumbs up by shopping with us and then coming back for more.”

Central England Co-op has outlined its plans for in-store face coverings in its food and funeral businesses, as the retailer continues to lead the way on safety measures during these uncertain times. The retailer, which has over 400 food stores and funeral homes across 16 counties, is asking customers to follow Government guidance and wear a face covering when visiting one of its businesses. All colleagues will wear a face covering or visor while at work to ensure everyone plays their part in staying safe and healthy. Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op Chief Executive, said: “Nothing is more important to us all at Central England Cooperative than the health and safety of our colleagues and customers. “Ahead of the official start date of the 24 July for customers to wear face coverings in shops, we will be asking colleagues to do so from today (Monday 20). This is to ensure the message is as clear and consistent as possible for everyone. “Our colleagues have all been supplied with face masks for when they are working and will be playing their part in helping our communities to stay safe. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable wearing a face covering for up to eight hours at a time, and so are also ensuring more comfortable face visors are available to those who prefer to wear one. “Some customers are rightly exempt from this request, for health or religious reasons. We have made these exemptions very clear on our website www.centralengland.coop and all team members will be reminded of these important exemptions. Priority access for NHS team members is still in place, to allow these front-line workers to be in our and out of store as quickly as possible. “So we now ask all of our customers to wear a face covering so we know together we’re co-operating in our efforts to be safe.” The new measures on wearing face coverings will sit alongside a range of others already in place at Central England Co-op sites, which have been very well received by customers.

Officers will continue to be out across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland this weekend working to keep communities safe and protected. Last weekend saw more officers than there would be for a normal New Year’s Eve as policing operations were put into place in both the protected area of Leicester and its surrounds and well as in the wider area of Leicestershire and Rutland. And the weekend saw huge compliance in the protected area with the current Health Protection Regulations in place. Outside of the protected area where lockdown rules have been eased, the vast majority of residents were also seen to be complying with the Government guidelines, acting responsibly and socialising safely. This weekend the work will very much continue as officers anticipate another busy weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said: “Last weekend was an extremely busy weekend which included more than 800 emergency calls and more than 1,800 calls to 101. Throughout all of this, the work carried out by our officers and staff was outstanding. “This work very much continues this weekend and we are fully prepared as we continue to police a force area where different Government guidelines apply to different areas. We want people to have a safe and enjoyable weekend and we have been continually planning and working with our partners to help ensure this. “We do ask that you continue to work with us. If you are living in the protected are, please ensure you stay at home, you only travel if essential, you wash your hands regularly and you maintain two metres social distance from others. If you do have Covid-19 symptoms, ensure you get tested. Last weekend saw excellent compliance with this and we want to ensure this continues. “If you live outside the protected area, please adhere to Government guidelines, acting responsibly, socialising safely and maintaining social distancing. Please make sure you plan your night, stay with your friends and that you have plans in place to get home safely.” The current Health Protection Regulations state that in the protected area, public gatherings of more than six people are banned. Outside the protected area, as across the rest of the country, it is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place. This came into force on Saturday (4 July) as part of the amended regulations. ACC Debenham added: “As we have said, our priority will always be public health. This continues to be a challenging time for everyone but we need to continue to work together as we are to continue to protect lives and livelihoods.” In Market Harborough last weekend, while the majority of people did have an enjoyable and safe night out, a section 34 dispersal order was authorised later on in the evening following some incidents of low level public disorder. Inspector Siobhan Gorman, Neighbourhood Policing Area Commander for Harborough and Wigston, added: “Following last weekend, our work continues and we are working fully with our partners, including Harborough District Council, to ensure people can have a safe and enjoyable time in the area at the weekend. “Our top priority will always be to keep our communities safe and we will take action when required. We simply want to ensure that people who are coming out into the area – or anywhere else across Leicestershire and Rutland – are looking after themselves, are drinking responsibly, socialising safely and having an enjoyable time out."

Thank you’ – the simple message from Chief Constable Simon Cole today (Sunday) to our force, to our communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and to our partners. Yesterday (Saturday) saw more officers on duty across the force area than there would be for a typical New Year’s Eve as Leicestershire Police worked with partners to support the re-opening of the night-time economy across Leicestershire and Rutland while also policing the lockdown in Leicester and the surrounding protected area. And it was a busy night for all involved – with response to incidents, proactive patrols and lots of engagement with the communities. Patrols in the protected area of Leicester and its surrounds as part of Operation Lockfast saw huge compliance with the current lockdown rules which are in place. Officers carried out patrols across the area throughout the night and were pleased to see areas deserted as people adhered to the guidance by staying at home. Outside of the protected area where lockdown rules have been eased, officers were on duty working under Operation Integrate. Across these areas, the vast majority of residents were seen to be complying with the Government guidelines, acting responsibly and socialising safely. Mr Cole said: “This time has been a huge challenge for all of us. We are effectively policing a force area where different Government guidelines apply to different areas. But the way that my officers and staff have responded to this has simply been outstanding. Last night especially saw a massive effort across the whole area and I am very proud of the dedication and commitment which everyone involved has shown “Across the protected area of Leicester and the surrounds there was huge compliance with the lockdown rules. Throughout the rest of the force area, the vast majority of residents were acting responsibly and adhering to guidelines. Thank you for this and for working with us to keep our communities safe and protected. “Our thanks also go to our partners and volunteers who have been working alongside us and also carrying out tremendous work. Members of our Special Constabulary have carried out tireless work and shown a massive effort in their duties as have our partners including the local authorities and British Transport Police. It has very much been a joint effort across the whole weekend. “Sadly, there were however a number of incidents last night too which you will have seen. These are, of course, being taken very seriously and full investigative work is underway. Last night also saw a dispersal order placed in Market Harborough centre. This was put in place as a response to incidents happening in the area. “For us, there is still a lot more work going forward and therefore we continue to ask you to be responsible. This is a continued public health crisis. If you are in the protected area, then please ensure you stay at home, you only travel if essential, you wash your hands regularly, maintain two metres social distance from others and get tested if you do have any symptoms. “If you live outside the area please still ensure you are adhering to Government guidelines, staying responsible, socialising safely and maintaining social distancing. This is about our lives and our livelihoods and we all need to continue working together in order to stay safe together. Thank you to the vast majority of you who have been and continue to work with us in this way.” The work of our officers, staff and volunteers was shared across our social media throughout the day. Our posts on the main Leicestershire Police Facebook and Twitter accounts yesterday (Saturday) had a reach of more than 621,000. This is not taking into account the posts which were shared across the local neighbourhood area accounts. The protected area covers the city of Leicester and outlying suburbs including Oadby, Wigston, Birstall, Thurmaston, Braunstone Town, Glen Parva, Glenfield, Leciester Forest East (East of the M1) and Thorpe Astley. To check if you live within the area please use a postcode checker created by Leicestershire County Council. Leicestershire Police Released Dated 05/07/20

Mother Hubbard's Dessert Cupboard opened its doors in Febrary this year and has only been open for a few weeks before Covid19 meant it had to close its doors. The high street dessert restaurant was a big hit with locals with its huge portions and all items being made fresh in store. Now that restrictions for pubs and restaurants is lifting this saturday, were hopeful that those that didnt get chance to visit us when we opened can come and try our mouth watering dessert range. Covid has impacted the restaurant and also the town centre adversely and want to remind people that the town of Melton being the capital of Food, is still living upto its reputation. They are based in the heart of Melton Mowbray, 14 - 15 Market Place Melton Mowbray LE13 1XD https://www.facebook.com/motherhubbardsdrssert/ #Melton

A dedicated operation to support the re-opening of the night-time economy and help support the policing of lockdown has been launched by Leicestershire Police. The force will be deploying additional officers, including members of our Special Constabulary, to work over the weekend period and beyond. The introduction of additional measures by the Government due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the Leicester area means the force will have a dual approach to its operation. This will see officers supporting the policing of the lockdown measures in the greater Leicester area and, running in parallel to this, it will be policing the easing of restrictions outside of the restricted area where pubs and restaurants will reopen from 4 July. Operation Integrate will see more officers on duty than for a typical New Year’s Eve to help ensure communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland stay safe wherever they live. The force is urging people to do all they can to follow the advice of Save Lives, Save Livelihoods, Be Responsible and Socialise Safely. For those in the restricted area in and around the city of Leicester people have been asked to stay at home as much as possible and only to travel for essential purposes within, into and out of the lockdown area. Outside the restricted area the force has been working with community safety partners and the licensing trade to support and facilitate the reopening of premises from Saturday onwards. People are being asked to plan their days and to abide by any new operating rules premises may have in place to support social distancing. But the main message is for people to be responsible and socialise safely. T/Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith said: “First and foremost we want to keep people safe. We are in the middle of a continued public health crisis so that has to be everyone’s top priority. “We will be working across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, being that highly visible presence and engaging with our communities. We realise it is a difficult situation and we are all still adapting to these new challenges. “We would ask people within the restricted area to follow the Government’s recommendations of staying home as much as possible during this period and only travelling where it is essential. “Across the rest of the county and Rutland not affected by the additional restrictions if you are planning to venture out to your local pub remember there are still guidelines in place around social distancing and many pubs and restaurants will have instigated procedures to help keep you safe – please respect and follow those procedures. “We want people to be able to enjoy themselves but to do so responsibly, having respect for others and socialising safely. Plan your day and plan how you are going to get home. “We have a policing operation in place to support all of this across the county and Rutland but we will be continuing our approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging people to do the right thing. Of course, we have the option of enforcement open to us which we will use where appropriate.” The operation will be supported once again by the remobilisation of the Special Constabulary, following on from the success of Op Formidable, to provide extra support to frontline police officers. Special Constables will be working alongside regular police officers to respond to emergency calls and support communities, as well as engaging, explaining, encouraging and enforcing the government’s guidelines on social distancing. The training to become a special constable is at the same level of that undertaken by full-time police officers. They hold the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers and manage the role alongside their normal employment. The restricted area covers the city of Leicester and outlying suburbs including Oadby, Wigston, Birstall, Thurmaston, Braunstone Town, Glen Parva, Glenfield, Leciester Forest East (East of the M1) and Thorpe Astley. To check if you live within the area please use a postcode checker created by Leicestershire County Council. Press released 15:59 02/07/2020

More than £20m of investment will ensure that eight of Leicester’s most popular secondary schools can continue to meet demand for pupil places over the next eight years. As part of its secondary schools’ growth programme, the city council is planning to buy the temporary modular buildings that have provided additional classroom space at six city schools for the last year or so. The modular buildings installed at Babington Academy, The City of Leicester College, Crown Hills Community College, Judgemeadow Community College, Rushey Mead Academy and Soar Valley College in 2017 and 2019 have created room for around 1,300 additional pupil places in total across all year groups in 2019/20. The modern temporary classrooms are helping to address the increasing and ongoing demand for secondary school places resulting from new families moving to the city. By buying the buildings outright, the city council will in total save more than £1.5m compared to continuing to rent them. At the Madani Boys and Girls Schools, a £1m expansion plan will see existing space reconfigured to create 60 additional pupil places in Year 7, equating to 300 new places across the five year groups of the school. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Thanks to major capital investment in our secondary schools in recent years, we have ensured there are sufficient places to meet ever-growing demand for pupil places. “Investing in these modular buildings at some of our most popular secondary schools makes good financial sense and will ensure that there’s sufficient capacity to meet these schools’ needs for the next eight years or so.” The investment is the latest in a programme of work which has expanded schools to create nearly 7,500 additional primary places since May 2010 – from 27,385 places to a current total of 34,830. Over the same time period the number of secondary school pupil places has increased by 183, from 20,756 to 20,939. The council has pledged to create over 2,500 more secondary spaces by 2027/8 – bringing the number of places to 23,442 – through a combination of new school building and investing in temporary modular buildings in existing schools. A formal decision on the planned investment of £20.5m is due to be taken by the City Mayor on July 10. #LeicesterCityCouncil

Community event giving people the chance to talk about tackling knife crime is going online so that discussions can continue despite coronavirus. Prior to lockdown, Leicester City Council was facilitating several ‘community conversations’ at venues across the city so that people could give their views on what could be done about knife crime. Led by community groups, ideas from these sessions would then be fed into discussions for a new knife crime and serious violence strategy that is being developed for Leicester. The coronavirus lockdown meant these conversations had to be paused, but now the city council is helping community leaders to try out online meetings to help gather people’s views and continue with this important work. A pilot session is taking place on Monday 6 July from 1.30-3pm, and will focus on the Braunstone area of Leicester. People will be able to join the discussion by Skype or dial in using a mobile phone or landline. Assistant city mayor Cllr Kirk Master, who leads on neighbourhoods and is also deputy police and crime commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “The whole reason we set up these community conversations was because we know how crucial it is to gather people’s views and how important it is to have face-to-face discussions with members of the community. But it isn’t possible to do that safely at the current time. “Despite this, we want to keep up the momentum on our work to tackle knife crime as we were already starting to get valuable feedback from our community conversations. “With this in mind, we have helped the Braunstone community to set up this pilot session and I’d encourage anyone who has a viewpoint on knife crime in this area of the city to join the online meeting if they can. “It might be a little strange to some people, but we will provide support and an online forum can be an extremely useful way of gathering people’s views. Unfortunately, knife crime has not stopped because of the current crisis – so neither should we.” The online Braunstone event will be a trial to see if the forum works – with other online events to follow if it is successful. To join in, contact Braunstone community leader Ian Davies on 07518 502 842, who can provide details on how to join the online session. Leicester City Council Press Release #LivesNotKnives