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Multi-million pound conspiracy uncovered in the East Midlands after cops crack criminal cypher More than £2 million in cash has been seized by regional officers, as part of the UK’s most significant law enforcement operation ever. Over the last few weeks, officers and staff from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) have been working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and a number of forces on a series of investigations linked to an international inquiry. The regional action has resulted in the seizure of £2,191,200 in cash and 52kg of Class A drugs, and 29 arrests. Of particular note, were the investigations into two prominent gangs. The first is believed to have operated out of Derbyshire, with links to London and Luton. Enforcement in all three areas in June led to the seizure of £1.4 million in bank notes, gold bullion worth more than £6,000 and 19 vehicles thought to have been purchased with criminal cash. Eleven people were arrested. The second organised crime group (OCG) is thought to have roots in Nottinghamshire, with reach into Liverpool, and a number of warrants in the county has led to the seizure of 7.5kg in cocaine and heroin, and £620,000 in cash. Five people were arrested, with information gained from the wider inquiry helping to complete the investigation. The two gangs may have been operating separately in the region, but they had one thing in common: They were both utilising a secret criminal communications network to conduct their illicit business. And they weren’t alone. Around 60,000 serious and organised criminals across the globe were using ‘EncroChat’ in a bid to evade police surveillance. But their illegal activities came to an abrupt end last month, after a coordinated strike saw thousands of arrests and significant drugs, firearms and cash seizures. Earlier in the year, a cross-continental operation resulted in French and Dutch authorities infiltrating this encrypted platform, laying bare details of thousands of handsets and their users, as well as revealing millions of messages ripe for analysis. The intelligence gained from this information was then passed to the relevant country to action. The NCA coordinated the UK response — codenamed Operation Venetic — in partnership with the nation’s nine Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) and supported by all 43 forces. So far, it has resulted in the seizure of more than £50 million in cash, 74 firearms, more than two tonnes of Class A and B drugs, and nearly 700 arrests. Today (Thursday 2 July 2020) EncroChat servers were shut down, putting an end to this criminal subterfuge. Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby heads up EMSOU, which includes the East Midlands’ ROCU. He said: “By using EncroChat, these criminals thought they could conduct their illegal enterprises beneath our radar. They thought we didn’t know what they were up to. What they didn’t know was that from the very means by which they were plotting their crimes, we were taking notes; and this has made for some compelling evidence. “As the country was under lockdown, these criminals continued to traffic their illicit wares and inflict incredible harm to our communities. But as they continued to operate, so too did we. The intelligence garnered under Operation Venetic has not only informed some of our existing operations, but has also exposed the scale and reach of some of our most serious and organised criminals. “The results we have seen both in the region and across the country reflect some impressive talent and dedication, and a massive coordinated effort, not only to arrest suspected perpetrators and seize deadly drugs and weapons, but also in preventing and disrupting countless other crimes. “I hope this work not only reassures our communities of the skills, capabilities and sheer dogged determination within policing and our partners to seek out and prosecute those who pose the most serious risks, but also acts as a warning to those who continue to inflict harm in our society, that there is nowhere to hide.” Details of the operation have, until this point, been withheld to ensure maximum impact of police activity on the OCGs involved. Paul Williamson, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “This piece of activity in the East Midlands and across the UK was unprecedented. It is without doubt the broadest and deepest ever operation into serious organised crime, with the people targeted at the top end of the criminal tree. “The NCA has worked with international partners and every single police force across the UK, but the extraordinary results we have had is testimony to the partnership we have with Regional Organised Crime Units like EMSOU. “By working together we have had tremendous success in penetrating organised criminal networks, seizing huge amounts of criminal cash, stopping firearms and drugs reaching our streets and protecting the people of the East Midlands.” Chief Constable Steve Jupp, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for serious organised crime, added: “I want to emphasise that this work is the culmination of meticulous planning to tackle the most serious and organised crime groups that have been working in our communities. “Every UK police force has worked together to carry out these warrants, and I’m extremely proud of their hard work and determination, which doesn’t stop here. “This sort of activity is just one aspect of our continued fight to tackle serious and organised crime. I hope this sends a clear message to the public of our determination to rid communities of this sort of criminalisation.”

Scientists will develop a standardised UK-wide system for detecting coronavirus in wastewater, in order to provide an early warning of future outbreaks and reduce reliance on costly testing of large populations. The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease – are believed to shed the virus in their faeces, even if they are asymptomatic, so sewage surveillance is widely seen as a promising way of identifying future disease hotspots. The new £1m research programme will see experts develop sampling, testing and scientific modelling methods that will be adopted by government agencies and scientists across the UK. The work will inform the UK national surveillance programmes recently announced by Defra, Scottish and Welsh Governments. The researchers will also determine whether there is a possibility for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and sludge to be infectious, and how environmental factors such as sunlight and temperature reduce infectivity. This will enable them to confirm that current guidance is protective of workers at sewage plants, and also assess the risk to people and animals as a result of treated and untreated sewage discharge in rivers and seas. The research programme, which is now under way and will last until October 2021, is being led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). It also involves researchers from the universities of Bangor, Bath, Edinburgh, Cranfield, Lancaster, Newcastle, Oxford and Sheffield, plus the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Dr Andrew Singer of UKCEH, principal investigator of the new National COVID-19 Wastewater Epidemiology Surveillance Programme (N-WESP), says: “Several studies have shown that the RNA of SARS-CoV-2 – the genetic material of the virus - can be detected in wastewater ahead of local hospital admissions, which means wastewater could effectively become the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases. “The research will be centred on wastewater-based epidemiology – the concept is based on analysis of wastewater for markers of infectious disease, illicit drugs or pharmaceuticals in order to better inform public health decisions. “By sampling wastewater at different parts of the sewerage network, we can gradually narrow an outbreak down to smaller geographical areas, enabling public health officials to quickly target interventions in those areas at greatest risk of spreading the infection.” Professor Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern of the University of Bath, one of the programme’s co-investigators, explains: “Wastewater-based epidemiology offers a promising method for monitoring a pandemic, particularly for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 where asymptomatic cases play a significant role in transmitting the virus. Given the financial and logistical challenges of testing large numbers of people, and then trying to isolate those infected, this represents a potentially low-cost, anonymous and immediate mechanism for predicting local outbreaks and helping to contain the spread of infection.” The researchers will also work with Defra, environment agencies, public health bodies and water companies across the UK. They will undertake sampling of wastewater at several major cities as part of their study. Professor Gideon Henderson, Defra Chief Scientific Adviser, says: “It is heartening to see the scientific community continuing to combat coronavirus through this project, alongside the government. “We are already working with researchers, water companies and devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and NI to monitor for fragments of coronavirus genetic material in wastewater in the hope that it will help us detect new outbreaks. “Though the science is still in its infancy, this new project will help us to develop the methods that we are applying.” The research programme is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to COVID-19.

People in Leicester and its outlying areas are to be asked to continue to follow stricter lockdown restrictions for at least two weeks, and non-essential shops will be asked to close. This means the city’s bars, restaurants and hairdressers will not open on July 4 as planned, and shops that were allowed to open on 15 June will have to close again from tomorrow (30 June). The changes will also apply to parts of Leicestershire close to the city’s boundaries. Leicestershire County Council and Public Health England are working on the detail of this. All schools in the area identified will be asked to close for most pupils from Thursday (2 July) and will not reopen until next term. More information will be shared with parents tomorrow (Tuesday 30 June). The changes will require new legislation to be drafted before they can be implemented. The Government has said these measures must be taken in Leicester following a surge in cases in the east of the city over the past two weeks. They will be reviewed two weeks after implementation. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby met with Health Secretary Matt Hancock and other officials today to discuss the latest data and actions needed. Sir Peter said: “These measures are stricter than we anticipated but we understand the need for firm action. I am determined that we will make this work and to minimise the time these additional measures need to be in place in the city. “We will of course continue to play our part in keeping people in the city safe and healthy.” The latest figures obtained by the city council show that 3,216 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Leicester since the start of the epidemic. Of these, 944 cases were reported in the last two weeks. These figures include the number of patients and staff testing as positive in hospitals, known as Pillar 1 figures, and positive cases identified in testing centres, known as Pillar 2. The council did not previously have access to the Pillar 2 data, but this is now being provided on a weekly basis. Leicester currently has three mobile testing sites in the city in Evington, Spinney Hill Park and Victoria park, and a more permanent facility on the edge of Leicester at the Birstall park and ride site. An indoor testing centre is due to open tomorrow (30 June) at the Highfields Community Centre, and further testing sites are planned. The city council is now reviewing its plans to extend the opening of its own buildings such as libraries, museums and children’s centres. The council asked the Government for more detailed information after its own public health team noticed a surge in the number of people testing positive in the city. The city council was provided with detailed testing information for the first time on Thursday (25 June), one week after the Secretary of State Matt Hancock announced that there was a local outbreak in Leicester. Anyone in Leicester who has symptoms, or thinks they have been in contact with someone who has, can book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. People in Leicester are being advised to stay at home if they can, to maintain two metre social distancing, ensure good hand hygiene and to strictly limit their contact with others from outside their own household. Anyone who thinks they have symptoms should stay at home along with the rest of their household until they have been tested. Anyone who tests positive should stay at home for seven days, and members of their household should stay at home for 14 days. Leicester City Council press release issued 29th June 2020. #covid19 #LeicesterCityCouncil

Co-op community fund awards £31,000 cash boost to 22 groups to ensure vital work continues to help those in need. Central England Co-op has shared out £31,000 between 22 good causes to ensure they can continue their vital community work during the Coronavirus outbreak. A wide range of charities and community organisations were delighted to receive the funding boost during these uncertain times, with a total of £31,000 handed out to 22 groups across 16 counties from the retailer’s Community Dividend Fund. The money will now be spent by charities and organisations to ensure that events, activities and support that otherwise might have been postponed or cancelled can still go ahead and provide a vital boost to the local community. Organisations in the following areas have benefitted from a grant: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottingham, Northants, Burton, Lichfield, Rugeley, Yorkshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk. Below are examples of some of the projects supported: Nene Valley Care Trust, in Peterborough, will use £500 to buy vital computer equipment to allow them to work remotely A total of £1,000 will be handed to Treetops Hospice, in Risley, Derbyshire, to pay for the creation of care packs for patients and their families which are made up of magazines, puzzle books, toiletries and cakes Nelson’s Journey, based in Norwich, supports children and young people who have experienced the death of a special person in their life. It will use £1,876 to pay for special books to be produced and sent out to youngsters as part of work to help them deal with grief Lichfield-based Foresters Scout Group has been handed £2,500 to buy tents for youngsters to use when they are allowed to meet up together again Kirkwood Hospice, in Huddersfield, will spend £2,400 on two pressure relieving mattresses to support terminally ill people with reduced mobility issues Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op Chief Executive, said: “Now more than ever being a co-operative business that sits at the heart of our communities is so important. “We are delighted that these great projects and good causes have been handed a grant that will allow them to continue their fantastic work in the community at this uncertain time. “Community Dividend Fund grants like this showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a Society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area.”

Leicester’s City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby says there has been no discussion with the Government about the need for a local lockdown in the city, and data received just three days ago needs to be properly analysed before any further actions can be agreed. The city council was provided with detailed testing information for the first time on Thursday (25 June), one week after the Secretary of State Matt Hancock announced that there was a local outbreak in Leicester. The latest figures (23 June 2020) from Public Health England show that 2,987 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Leicester since the start of the epidemic. Of these, 866 cases were reported in the last two weeks. The council asked the Government for more detailed information after its own public health team noticed a surge in the number of people testing positive in the city. Detailed data such as ethnicity and the postcodes of those being tested had not previously been provided. In the meantime the Government agreed to provide more testing facilities in Leicester and the council has been working with Public Health England to reinforce current guidelines around social distancing and hand hygiene, and to introduce local messaging around limiting contact with others. Sir Peter said: “More testing and immediate access to the data is key to determining what intervention is needed. Whether that intervention is giving more advice or something more dramatic we don’t yet know. “If it is decided that a local lockdown is needed the city council currently has no powers to implement this, and there would need to be extensive discussion around the area to be locked down, including whether this extends beyond the city boundaries.” The city mayor and the council’s director of public health Ivan Browne are due to meet with government officials at 9am on Monday (29 June) to discuss the latest data. There are currently three mobile testing sites in the city in Evington, Spinney Hill Park and Victoria Park. There is also a more permanent site on the edge of the city at Birstall park and ride. Options for a fifth testing site are currently being explored. Anyone in Leicester who has symptoms, or thinks they have been in contact with someone who has, can book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirusor by calling 119. People in Leicester are being advised to stay at home if they can, to maintain two metre social distancing, ensure good hand hygiene and to strictly limit their contact with others from outside their own household. Anyone who thinks they have symptoms should stay at home along with the rest of their household until they have been tested. Anyone who tests positive should stay at home for seven days, and members of their household should stay at home for 14 days. This press release issued Sunday 28th June by Leicester City Council. #Covid19 #LeicesterCityCouncil

A vulnerable child has gone missing close to acres of rural land, some of which is flooded. The officers know as each hour goes by the chances of finding him safe and well reduces. They also know to search an area of that size would take around 20 people at least a couple of hours - time that child might not have. This situation is just one of the many incidents PC Matt Burton and his colleagues in the Leicestershire Police drone team are on hand to assist with. Once deployed to the scene, the drone’s powerful optical zoom and thermal imagery is able to search large open spaces in a fraction of the time and send live footage directly to officers on the ground. Within minutes the child is located and reunited with his family. Like most police forces across the country, Leicestershire uses drones as one of its many policing tactics - to save lives, apprehend suspects and provide assistance for operations or largescale events. This month marks two years since the force was granted a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licence and in that time the team have gone from strength to strength – providing support for more than 500 emergencies and pre-planned policing activities, as well supporting other emergency services. Now a cop with 20 years’ service, PC Matt Burton joined the drone team in October 2018. After nine months being seconded, he became a fulltime police drone pilot in June 2019 before taking on the title of lead pilot just four months later. Along with every police officer across the country operating a drone, Matt qualified after completing a CAA approved course and has now clocked up more than 60 hours of flying. In his time as a drone pilot Matt has been the eyes in the sky for many incidents and events – from football matches, Diwali celebrations and the Leicester Pride march through to locating missing people and catching criminals in the act. Matt said: “We provide a similar type of air support as a helicopter but to dispatch a drone to a scene is often much quicker and obviously costs a lot less. Drones can also get a lot closer and lower to an incident and can fly in weather conditions that helicopters aren’t able to – including low cloud and poorer visibility. “They are only ever deployed for a specific policing purpose and are not used by us as a form of Big Brother in the sky. “By using a drone I’ve been able to locate a child with Autism who had gone missing from school. Despite a thorough search of the grounds by officers and staff there was no trace of him. By that time it was starting to get dark so the drone was sent up and we were able to locate him hiding in a hedgerow using the thermal imaging camera, I was then able to direct officers to him. “I’ve also attended a report of a burglary where the suspect had assaulted the occupant of the house before taking off. My colleague and I were able to locate him using the drone and actually caught him attempting to break into the home of an elderly man. Luckily he was arrested before he was able to cause any further harm. “Using a drone I’ve also been able to locate suspects who have ran from police, either after ditching a vehicle or when officers have attempted to stop them in the street. “Although we provide assistance to officers dealing with emergency incidents we are also involved in many largescale operations and events – helping to provide a different perspective for those coordinating policing on the ground. “These include events such as football matches and Diwali celebrations that are attended by thousands of people and are enjoyable occasions to be a part of. “We have also used our drones to assist the fire service with largescale emergencies where getting an overview of the scene from above can help understand the sheer size of the issue and they can then ensure the right number of people and the right equipment is available.” Since becoming a police drone pilot Matt and his colleagues have also been able to draw on the knowledge of a member of the special constabulary with decades of aviation experience. Special Inspector John Blagden is used to manoeuvring much larger aircrafts in the sky having spent the last 25 years 35,000 feet in the air as a commercial airline pilot. As a long-haul flyer his job often sees him away from home for around three to five days a week. Despite this he still finds the time to volunteer as a special for 60 to 70 hours a month. During the pandemic, when many flights have been grounded, John has racked up an impressive 312 hours of volunteering in a two month period. John originally joined as a special in 2012 and when the drone team was established two years ago he took on the role of Chief Drone Pilot. John said: “Similar to Matt and the rest of the team, when I’m on shift I am on hand should one of the drones be required. “But a big part of what I do is help with training and advising on procedures. With our drones we aim to maintain the same level of standards and safety you would expect with any manned aviation vehicle, such as an airplane or helicopter.” Now, nearly two years after the first Leicestershire Police drone took to the sky, the force is looking at how the team can grow and provide assistance to many more police incidents and operations. #LeicsPolice #Drones #DronePhotography

Seven people have been arrested in the Charnwood area as part of a planned police operation targeting the sale and distribution of drugs. As part of Operation Hammerman police have been cracking down on County Lines activity and safeguarding vulnerable people being targeted by organised crime groups to help facilitate the supply of class A drugs. Between Saturday 13 and Friday 19 June, police executed three warrants in Loughborough and Mountsorrel and arrested seven people - five men, aged 20, 21, 25, 26 and 42 and two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16. Six were arrested for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The 20-year-old man was arrested for possession with intent to supply class B drugs. Six of the suspects have since been released under investigation pending further enquires. The 21-year-old man was remanded to appear at court for offences unrelated to the operation. The arrests come after officers spent a significant amount of time gathering information and evidence on people suspected of moving drugs in and out of Leicestershire – known as County Lines. With the support of a number of partners, including Charnwood Borough Council, officers also carried out safeguarding checks on vulnerable adults in the community believed to be at risk of ‘cuckooing’. ‘Cuckooing’ is when a drug dealer or gang use violence or the threat of violence to take over the home of a vulnerable person, they then use the property as a base for drug related activity. Officers carrying out the operation are keen for people not only in Charnwood but across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to continue to report any County Lines activity they suspect is happening in their area. Sergeant Chris Boylin, from the Loughborough neighbourhood priority team was leading the operation. He said: “The community is a big part of where we get our information from so we urge people to continue to tell us when they are seeing things that are out of the ordinary. “The selling and distribution of drugs on our streets ruins lives and we will continue to take action against those who are responsible and prey on vulnerable members of our community.” Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or report information on the police website . For more information on County Lines, and how to spot the signs of it happening in your area, visit www.leics.police.uk/countylines #LeicsPolice #Loughborough #Charnwood #CountyLines #KnowTheSigns

Lockdown restrictions on shops, businesses, outdoor visitor attractions and places of worship are gradually relaxed, the city’s director of public health is warning people in Leicester that the coronavirus epidemic is far from over. In the last two weeks, Leicester has seen a sizeable increase in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 – so it’s vital that everyone in the city continues to stay at home as much as possible, maintains social distancing, and washes their hands regularly to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus. Latest figures (16 June 2020) from Public Health England show that 2,494 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Leicester since the start of the epidemic. Of these, 658 cases were reported in the last two weeks. And while some of this increase could be down to the wider availability of testing, Leicester’s public health team is now looking into what else could be behind the upward trend. Ivan Browne, director of public health at Leicester City Council, said: “Although the overall numbers are relatively small, we are concerned that the number of cases of Covid-19 in Leicester is increasing. “Leicester has high levels of health conditions such as diabetes, pockets of deprivation, and a very significant Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic population – and we know that these factors combine to create a high-risk, more vulnerable, population that’s more susceptible to coronavirus. “That’s why it’s so important that people in Leicester stay at home as much as possible and continue to do what we’ve all been doing for the last few months – and that’s washing our hands regularly throughout the day and keeping two metres away from anyone we don’t live with. “As the rules are gradually relaxed, and people who have been living on their own can ‘bubble up’ with another household, we must not stop taking those basic precautions. Wearing a face covering in confined spaces and on public transport and in hospitals will also help reduce the risk of transmission to others. “And while young people may be at less risk of serious illness from coronavirus themselves, they must understand that they could pass the virus on to elderly or vulnerable members of their families – and the consequences for them could be much more serious. “New data from Public Health England shows that the median age of those infected is now 40 – representing a shift in age to younger working age individuals, compared to the previous period in the outbreak. “It’s very important to remember that the virus hasn’t gone away – and that we’re still in the middle of an epidemic. “If we all stay alert and take sensible precautions, we can help stop the spread of this very contagious virus.” Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, which can include a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, should request a test immediately. A mobile testing unit is at Evington leisure centre until next week, while a permanent testing facility is available at the Birstall park and ride site. And while the government’s advice continues to be to stay at home as much as possible, those who have to go out, or who want to go out, should make sure they understand what they need to do to keep themselves – and their loved ones – as safe as possible. Sensible precautions that everyone should follow are set out below: Before you set off: If you’re not feeling well, please stay at home. Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, should stay at home and request a test immediately. Please remember that anyone in the extremely vulnerable group who has been shielding must continue to do so until at least the end of June Remember that you can only go shopping with people you live with – or with someone you have formed a new support bubble with. Consider making use of Click & Collect services to avoid having to queue. Take hand sanitiser and a contactless form of payment with you. Take a face covering with you, if you’ll be using public transport or visiting small shops. Avoid public transport, if you can. But if you have to travel by bus, or by train, remember that face coverings must be worn on public transport at all times from Monday 15 June. Follow the advice from the operator and respect social distancing rules, keeping two metres apart from other passengers. Avoid handling cash and use contactless payment where possible. Don’t touch your face until you have been able to wash your hands. Arriving in the city centre or other shopping areas: Use hand sanitiser after using cashpoints or payment machines in car parks Keep 2 metres apart from other pedestrians Use hand sanitiser, if provided, when entering shops – and avoid touching items you’re not planning on buying Respect queuing systems outside shops and businesses and stay 2 metres behind the person in front of you Respect one-way systems inside shops Avoid handling cash – use contactless payment where possible Clean your hands after touching doors, hand-rails, PIN-pads or other surfaces Consider wearing a face covering in small shops where social distancing isn’t possible Practise good personal hygiene at all times: Always cough into a tissue or into your elbow. Do not spit in the street. Avoid touching your face, unless your hands are scrupulously clean Wash your hands frequently (toilets are open at Highcross and on Market Place South) – or use hand sanitiser, if soap and water aren’t available. More information about keeping safe and reducing the spread of the coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus Leicester city council news Release

BELVOIR FRUIT FARMS, the family-ran cordial and presséproducer, has announced that it has surpassed its target of fresh elderflowers within just two weeks of its planned month-long harvesting season. Demand for its premium elderflower cordial soared by 15% in the grocery sector during the coronavirus lockdown, and the drinks company estimated it needed between 15 and 20 tonnes of picked elderflowers during June to last until the 2021 harvest, calling on willing volunteers across Leicestershire to lend their support to pick the volume of product needed. The local community responded in their droves, and within two weeks the company recorded 23 tonnes of picked elderflowers at its Bottesford-based factory, which is more than enough to produce the drink for the next 12 months. As a result, the company has now closed its harvest drop-off at the factory in record time. Pev Manners, managing director of Belvoir Fruit Farms, said: “This is undoubtedly a year like no other and we’ve been blown away by the willingness from the local community to still lend their support to this year’s harvest. “I think it’s fair to say that - given the circumstances surrounding this year’s harvest and social distancing measures - we were cautious in our tonnage targets, but to not only meet it but exceed it in the space of two weeks is truly humbling. “We put stringent social distancing measures in place at the start of the harvest and I couldn’t be more grateful to our dedicated pickers for wholeheartedly following them. Of course, a special mention must also go to our staff, who were outstanding in their operation of the factory drop-off process and ensured that, despite this year’s challenging conditions, we have made it a year to remember.” Elderflowers used to create the company’s much-loved cordials and pressés are comprised of both organic elderflowers from the 60-acres of company-owned plantations and from the miles of wild hedgerows across the county. The elderflower cordial and pressé drinks are still based on the Manners family’s original recipe, developed more than four decades ago. To find out more about Belvoir Fruit Farms, visit https://www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/.

Rick Taylor, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, is stepping down from his role after almost 35 years in the fire and rescue service. Rick became Chief Fire and Rescue Officer of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service in January 2018, and has led the Service through some huge events, such as the devastating Hinckley Road explosion in February 2018 and the shocking Leicester City Football Club helicopter tragedy in October 2018. He was also at the helm whilst the Service prepared for its first inspection from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in over a decade. His fire and rescue service career began in Cambridgeshire in 1986, and during his time there he served in a variety of roles, from firefighter at Cambridge, Station Commander at Wisbech and Cambridge, to Divisional Commander of Peterborough district. He transferred to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service in February 2008. Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor, said: “It has been a real privilege leading Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service over the past few years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, as the leader of such a hardworking, tremendous organisation. “It has been fantastic to work alongside so many inspirational and committed people, who really have the best interests of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland at the centre of everything they do. “However, I feel it’s the right time to move on to pastures new. I will miss my valued colleagues and the partner agencies across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. “I am confident that the Service will continue to adapt, improve and will excel in their 2021 HMICFRS inspection. We are there for everyone and anyone in their time of need.” Nick Rushton, Chair of the Combined Fire Authority, said: “Rick took over as Chief Officer at a difficult time for the Service. He had to stabilise it and make some necessary changes. I am grateful to him for all that he has done for the Service, not just as Chief Officer, and wish him all the best for the future.” Rick’s last day in the Service will be on Friday 4 September 2020. #LFRS

The ICU Therapy Team at Leicester Royal Infirmary has collectively set themselves the goal to travel the equivalent distance of 4,156km from Leicester to the North Pole. Their efforts aim to raise funds for a charity working in Leicester and on a national level to address loneliness and social isolation among older people. A team of eleven clinicians who are on the NHS frontline during the Covid-19 crisis, was keen to regain their fitness levels after the challenges of the past weeks. They decided to carry out a June Challenge and aim to collectively reach the equivalent distance from Leicester to the North Pole in 30 days. This will be achieved by walking, running or cycling a total distance of 4,156km which, for 11 team members, is 12.5 km each per day. Not content with just taking on the physical challenge, they have also set themselves a fundraising target to support Linking Lives, a charity that provides companionship and comfort to those who feel alone. One member of the ICU team at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Philip Sykes, explains that ‘We felt that as a team addressing loneliness is very important during the COVID pandemic with older people having to shield themselves. We were also keen to give back to the community for the support they have given us over the last few months through donations, such as food and toiletries, which made a big difference to our morale.’ During Covid 19, many of us have experienced loneliness and isolation as we remained in our homes, yet for thousands of people across the country this feeling is sadly normal. Linking Lives UK works with churches to set up befriending projects to support socially isolated older people. The charity has had a local project based in Leicester Western Ward since March 2017.Volunteers visit older people on a weekly basis and there are opportunities to attend local community events and activities. Since the Covid-19 lockdown began, regular phone calls have been made to those most in need of regular contact, particularly those who are being shielded at this time. Research published this week by the Office for National Statistics shows that almost a third of people - the equivalent of 7.4m Brits - said their wellbeing had been affected by feelings of loneliness in the first month of the coronavirus lockdown. Sarah Tavener, the coordinator of Leicester Western Ward Linking Lives – who comes from a nursing background herself – was delighted to hear about the challenge. ‘We work with some very isolated people in New Parks and to know that this amazing team at the Leicester Royal Infirmary are not only working hard within the hospital dealing with the current pandemic but also wanted to reach out and support those we engage with is incredibly heart-warming.’ Money raised during this challenge will be split between the vital ongoing work of Leicester Western Ward Linking Lives and the national work of the charity to set up new befriending projects across the UK. Jeremy Sharpe, National Director of Linking Lives UK, adds that ‘there are currently over 40 visiting or telephone projects across the UK. Contact with socially isolated older people is particularly critical at this time, as many people will not have had direct contact with others for many weeks.’ Those wishing to contribute towards this campaign can do so by going to www.virginmoneygiving.com and search for ‘ICU Therapy Explorers’. Linking Lives UK Linking Lives UK works with churches and across the UK to support the establishment of befriending schemes aimed at isolated older people. Local schemes use our tried and tested approach which includes access to key documents and procedures. Other activities and social events can also be developed in local communities. www.linkinglives.uk

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) released an emotive video at the culmination of National Volunteers Week on Sunday 7th June 2020 to say “Thank You” to all the volunteers who have given their time, not just in the last few weeks, but over the previous months when local communities have needed it the most. A combination of well-known faces from city and county, including Sir Peter Soulsby and Rupal Rajani, recite a poem that was specially written for the video by Leicestershire local and Creative Director at FU Media, Jonathan Fraser-Urquhart. Kevin Allen-Khimani, Executive Manager – Public Sector Contracts & Projects at VAL, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work all our volunteers have done over the years, but this year in particular has seen us all face challenges we never thought we would, and so many have relied completely on the support of volunteers to get them through. “For National Volunteers Week 2020, we thought it only right to say a special thank you to those who have stepped up and I challenge anyone watching the video not to be wiping away a little tear of pride by the end – I know I certainly was!” Alongside the estimated 6,000 charities and community groups across Leicester and Leicestershire, the current pandemic has seen an ‘army’ of over 2,500 people sign up to support their local community following VAL’s recent outreach campaign, run in conjunction with Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. The team are hopeful that those who have pledged their time more recently throughout the pandemic, will continue to find the opportunity to support others through volunteering as things move back to “normal”. You can watch the Voluntary Action LeicesterShire Thank You video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE1mJdaB5kw