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The Prime Minister has announced a series of new measures as part of the government’s response to the Coronavirus. The latest advice is available here. Responding to these, Martin Hewitt, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: "Measures to ensure social distancing have so far not had the necessary effect. These new measures are sensible, based on scientific evidence and give people clarity on the exact steps they must take to stop the rapid transmission of this disease. "The majority of people are already making real sacrifices to save lives and we urge everyone to follow the advice that is designed to keep us all safe. "We are working with the government and other agencies to consider how these new rules can be most effectively enforced." Stay at home Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home) If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times Wash your hands as soon as you get home Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Press release issued by Leicestershire Police 1st April 2020

While the country is practicing social distancing by staying at home within their family units, being at home isn’t a haven for some people. For victims of domestic abuse, being in the house with their partner for days on end is a very daunting prospect, leaving them concerned for their safety. During this time of uncertainly and instability, the force will be responding to calls to service for domestic abuse incidents as usual, aware of the extra risk to those who are already vulnerable. And it might be that being cooped up, with extra worries and pressure – health concerns, financial worries, the threat of a job loss and concerns over child access – means more people are finding themselves as victims of domestic abuse for the first time. Know this: we are here for you. Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Batchelor, the force lead for domestic abuse, said: “With the current situation, we are acutely aware of the risks of being in the same house as an abuser for long amounts of time. “Our advice remains the same: call us, always using 999 in an emergency. An officer will attend and access the situation – gathering evidence, identifying the offence and arresting a suspected perpetrator. Victims are often controlled by their abuser, and support is available throughout the investigation process. Officers will complete a risk assessment with victims and will discuss how to safeguard you and your family with you. Referrals can be made and information given about the different organisations there to help victims of abuse – UAVA, a Leicestershire-based service with a helpline is just one. DCI Batchelor added: “These are unprecedented times; never have we seen such measures from the Government around staying at home. “While it is of course necessary to fight the spread of coronavirus, it of course puts some people in a very vulnerable positon. “We are here to help, always call 999 in an emergency. There are ways we can help without you having to speak – using the Silent Solution and a 55 silent call. “For help and support, the UAVA helpline is invaluable, with people on the end of the phone to offer advice and help during this uncertain time.” UAVA helpline – 0808 802 0028, open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm http://www.uava.org.uk/

In light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, officers from all forces throughout the Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been granted dispersal powers in order to help ensure everyone adheres to the social distancing guidance laid out by the Government and Public Health England. The powers have been granted under the Health Regulations 2020 and came into force on Thursday 26 March). So what does this mean for you – the general public? The legisation states that officers in Leicestershire will be able to disperse groups of more than two people from any public place. Groups of more than two people – who live in the same household – are permitted Anyone who refuses to disperse will be given a fixed penalty notice of £60. This will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days Second time offenders will be issued with a £120 fixed penalty notice. This will then double on each further repeat offence. Anyone who does not pay a fixed penalty notice under the new regulations could be taken to court. Magistrates will then be able to impose unlimited fines Anyone who refuses to comply will be acting unlawfully. This may result in being arrested, where it is deemed proportionate and necessary. However, the first instance, police will always apply their common sense and discretion. Officers from across the force will be working to ensure that people are complying with the law. Over the coming days and weeks, we remain committed to community policing within our neighbourhoods. Our preferred style is to engage, explain and encourage – and then enforce only when needed. Our officers will engage, explain and encouragemembers of the public in situations where we believe they may not be complying with the new legislation – and this may include interactions in public places and in vehicles. Working with our partners, we will provide a proportionate response to public concerns around groups or businesses that may be contravening the legislation and we will identify any areas of continual public concern. In such areas, a policing presence will be a priority. In situations where encouragement does not succeed, officers will enforce the legislation outlined above. “First and foremost, these new measures are in place to saves lives and protect our loved ones,” explains Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham. “We will be helping to enforce the terms of the regulations, as the public would want us to. Our advice very much remains the same – and echoes that of both the Government and healthcare professionals. Stay at home and help us overcome the outbreak.” Does the law mean that anyone who is out, in a group of more than two people, will be fined? “Absolutely not,” says ACC Debenham. “I believe – as do our officers – that the best way to engage with the public is to communicate. This is how we aim to resolve issues. We want to listen to the queries, concerns and thoughts of the public and do our best to help. “If you are out in public, in a group of more than two people, officers will ask that you separate. The current advice is to ensure that we distance ourselves from one another to prevent the virus from spreading. “Asking people to disperse is in no way different from our existing powers. When we’re policing the night-time economy in particular, if there’s a report of disorder we will ask people to move on. If you don’t, then you run the risk of being given a fine. “The powers are the same, it’s only the circumstances that have changed.” Although the law only came into force today, officers have been following Government guidance around social distancing and reminding people of the advice given. ACC Debenham says: “We are receiving calls from the public to reports of gatherings – as well as non-essential businesses remaining open – and our officers are responding accordingly. However I would like to ask the public to take notice of the guidance and adhere to social distancing to try and reduce such reports. “We’re also receiving a number of calls about what you can and can’t do. Again, please use common sense. Guidance states that you should stay at home and only go out for essential shopping, if you have medical needs or if it’s necessary for you to travel to and from work. The Government and Public Health England have stated you can leave your property for one form of exercise a day. “As a force, our message remains clear – stay at home, save lives.” Source of information : Leicestershire Police

To all in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Today the police have been given new powers to help keep people safe. As your Chief Constable I would like to make a pledge to you. In return, I ask for your support. Every day and night my officers and staff go above and beyond to protect our communities. Every officer at Leicestershire Police knows this as our duty - to protect the people and deal with those who cause harm. We do this by engaging with our communities, explaining and problem solving, and enforcing the law through action when we must. In this force’s 180 year history we have never faced a challenge like this. I pledge that my officers will continue to exercise our duty, as we have always done. We will protect you. We will engage positively. We will explain. We will be there when you need help - and we will take action to protect you and others from harm. I ask for your support in this. Help us to help you. Stay at home and together we will save lives. Coronavirus (Covid-19): We're asking you please to only call 999 if it is an emergency and 101 if it is urgent. If you can, use our online services. If you’re looking for information about the government instruction to stay at home and how that may affect you, you'll find guidance on Gov.uk We’ll be updating information on our services over the coming days, please check online for those updates. NHS advice about coronavirus External Link Information about the police enforcement powers put in place to reduce the spread of the virus

Voluntary Action Leicestershire Teams up with Local Councils and Launches Campaign to Find 1000-Strong Army of Volunteers. Voluntary Action Leicestershire Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council have launched an initiative to build an army of volunteers to support people throughout Leicester and Leicestershire. Looking to match help wanted with help needed – both on a local community level and alongside partners to help coordinate the effort – the initiative has already received a staggering response: over 700 applications offering help in a matter of hours with an aim to boost figures further in to the thousands. Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) is working with both the city and county councils to identify critical services, how to keep them open and consider the wider implications for residents and communities in this unprecedented time. With more people finding themselves in a situation where they are unable to work due to the current circumstances, this initiative could provide those who are fit and well with the opportunity to make a difference to people who need it most. VAL are looking for volunteers who ideally enjoy working with other people, are keen to help in a crisis and willing to be flexible to the continually changing situation. Those who are interested are being asked to visit the VAL Volunteering website and fill in the short form. This will then help to establish the bank of skills, qualifications and experience volunteers have to enable VAL to matchmake them with the areas and people that need support most. Kevin Allen-Khimani, Executive Manager – Public Sector Contracts & Projects at VAL, said: “We are thrilled with the number of volunteers who have already expressed an interest in working alongside us on this initiative and we’re hoping the figure will continue to rise as the weeks progress.” “Whilst we’re still working on an exact list of what the volunteers will be doing, it’s likely to be things like sharing information and advice with people in the community; dog walking for those who are self-isolating; providing a friendly phone call service; picking up shopping or posting mail. Every little thing will help and can make such a huge difference. In times like this, we must come together.” But this is not just aimed at the individual; Voluntary Action LeicesterShire are reaching out to companies across the county, too. Kevin Allen-Khimani continues: “We’re looking for businesses who have capacity or resource that they can move from their normal routine into helping others. For example, you might have staff with company vans who can’t do their normal work? If so, let’s connect you with voluntary organisations that need things delivering – like food, or medicine”. Anyone who would like to put their name forward to become a volunteer can find more information and complete the online form here: http://www.volunteerleicestershire.org.uk/covid-19 If you are a charity or voluntary group that would like to register to be matched with volunteers, please go to: https://www.volunteerleicestershire.org.uk/covid-19-organisations Businesses that would like to register can contact VAL at helpline@valonline.org.uk. FU Media

Strict new measures from the Government that aim to save lives by slowing the spread of the coronavirus mean big changes to the way we all live, work and socialise – regardless of our age. For at least the next three weeks, everyone in the UK should stay at home, leaving the house only if absolutely necessary. The Government has made it clear that there are only four reasons to leave your house: to go to work, if you are an essential worker and can’t work from home to shop for essential items - such as food - or to pick up medicines to care for a vulnerable person or to seek medical help for yourself to go for a walk, a bike ride or a run (no more than once a day) This means you must no longer meet up with family and friends – in your home or in their homes. And while you are still able to leave the house with members of your own household, you should avoid meeting up with anyone you don’t live with. The Police will have powers to fine anyone in a public space who’s in a group of more than two people, if they don’t live in the same household. When you do go out, always keep a 2-metre gap – that’s about 6ft – between yourself and the next person. And that applies if you’re buying food in a supermarket, making an essential journey by bus, or you’re outdoors, having a walk in the fresh air. Everyone should continue to protect themselves – and others – by thoroughly washing their hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, regularly throughout the day. Hand sanitizer can be used when soap and hot water aren’t available. Always sneeze or cough into a clean tissue – not in your hands – and then bin the tissue immediately, before thoroughly washing your hands. To protect yourself from the virus, only touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are perfectly clean – and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus. This advice applies to everyone, but it’s vital for people at higher risk of serious illness from the coronavirus: that’s people aged 70 and over, people of any age with an underlying health condition, people with a weakened immune system, and pregnant women. People classed as ‘extremely vulnerable’, and therefore at the greatest risk of serious illness from the coronavirus, should shield themselves from infection by staying at home for at least the next 12 weeks. This group includes people with certain cancers, those who have received organ transplants, people on certain immunosuppression therapies, and people with severe respiratory conditions, such as severe asthma or severe COPD. All those classed as extremely vulnerable will receive a letter or text this week (by Sunday 29 March) that will provide further help and advice. Further information for extremely vulnerable people, and those who care for them, is available here Leicester City Council’s director of public health Ivan Browne said: “The coronavirus pandemic means that we all need to change the way we live our lives for a while. “It’s not going to be easy, but by drastically reducing our interaction with other people, we can help slow the spread of this highly infectious virus. “Although for most people this is a mild, self-limiting illness, for some people the consequences are far more serious so it’s really important that we do all we can to prevent the infection from spreading.” City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’re working closely with our partners at Public Health England to protect the people of Leicester, with the most vulnerable members of our community our top priority. “We’re also working hard to ensure we can continue to provide the vital services that people in Leicester will rely on during the coming days and weeks. “But the most important message for me to stress is that you must stay at home. “Unless you’re an essential worker, please stay at home, protect the NHS and help save lives.” With advice changing all the time, it’s important that you only go to trusted sources such as BBC Radio Leicester and the Leicester Mercury for reliable and up-to-date information that will help keep you and your family safe. The Government’s latest advice for UK citizens is available at www.gov.uk Symptoms of COVID-19 – the disease caused by the coronavirus – are as follows: A high temperature: you feel hot to touch on your back or chest A new and continuous cough: i.e. you've just started coughing repeatedly Breathing difficulties If you have any of these symptoms, however mild, you need to remain at home and self-isolate for seven days, if you live alone. If you live with other people, please note that if one member of the household shows symptoms of coronavirus, the entire household must self-isolate for 14 days. Guidance for those staying at home with possible coronavirus is available here Guidance for everyone in the UK about staying at home and away from others is available here Guidance for vulnerable people, and for those who care for older or vulnerable people, is available here Information about the coronavirus in Leicester is available at leicester.gov.uk/coronavirus, while information about council services affected by coronavirus can be found at leicester.gov.uk/serviceupdates Source : Leicester City Council Press Release

Central England Co-op says ‘thank you’ to colleagues and key workers for supporting their communities Central England Co-op has announced that is giving back to colleagues and key workers who are ensuring our communities are supported during this uncertain time. The retailer has reduced its opening hours to allow colleagues to clean stores and replenish shelves with food and essentials as well as ensuring they get more time with their families to rest and recuperate. Central England Co-op has also brought forward its annual share of profits and increased its colleague discount as a ‘thank you’ to all those who have gone above and beyond at this time. It also revealed that it has had an unprecedented response to its recruitment drive with 500 new staff, as well colleagues redeploying from other parts of its family of businesses, now working in stores across 16 counties to ensure shelves are stocked and customers are served. Central England Co-op is continuing to ask people to show ‘care, compassion and respect’ to its colleagues who are going above and beyond. This has also been supplemented with a range of measures to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to. Today Central England Co-op can also announce that it is planning to install plastic screens at all till points as part of its ongoing efforts to keeps colleagues and customers safe. The retailer has also announced that bread from its in-store bakery will no longer be unwrapped. Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said: “Our colleagues and key workers are doing everything they can to ensure our communities continue to be supported during this uncertain time. “In the spirit of co-operation, we wanted to say thank you by giving them a little something to showcase our gratitude for their hard work and dedication. “We also wanted to say welcome to all of our new colleagues who have joined in the past few days. Thank you and good luck in your new roles. “If you’re able to say thank you to our colleagues and to key workers when you see them, we are sure they would really appreciate the support at this time. Please be kind and respectful to everyone around you.” The retailer recently launched a range of measures to help those whose lives have been affected by the Coronavirus. This includes: An urgent food bank appeal to support its charity partners after they reported a major fall in donations at the same time as a spike in demand Donations to FareShare Midlands and Dementia UK to allow them to continue their vital community services In its food stores, the Society also has in place a temporary limit of two of every product to help maintain stock levels but has reassured customers that there are no issues with its robust supply lines and that shops are getting daily delivers. People can keep up to date with what is happening in their local community by visiting a dedicated online hub at www.centralengland.coop/updates Picture credit Central England Co-op

Support is available to help ease financial hardship being experienced by people who are affected by Coronavirus. Anyone having difficulty paying council tax or rent can get support and advice from Leicester City Council. Trained staff will be available to provide telephone and online support to anyone who lives in Leicester and is facing financial hardship due to the current Coronavirus situation. New claims will be prioritised to help ensure that anyone affected by Coronavirus is not left without the means to pay council tax or rent. Advice on entitlement to housing benefit, Universal Credit and council tax support will be available and support provided as appropriate. This could include temporary adjustments to household council tax bills and council rent. In addition, no recovery action will be taken to pursue council tax or rent linked to Coronavirus or to evict people from council homes where the impact of the virus has left people unable to pay their rent. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I understand that many people will be fearful and anxious in the difficult circumstances that we now face as a result of this unprecedented pandemic. “Many individuals and families will be worried about financial hardship caused by this crisis but the council has a range of support in place to help. “We have committed to using our uncapped hardship fund to provide discretionary housing support and council tax relief, as well as emergency support grants to those worst affected. “There will be no pursuit of council tax arrears and no evictions from our council properties due to a lack of income clearly caused by the Coronavirus crisis. “There will undoubtedly be some very difficult times ahead, but be assured that the city will be supported by the council throughout this crisis.” The Government has also announced that every household of working age in receipt of council tax support will receive an additional £150 credit towards their council tax bill for next year (2020/21). Revised council tax bills will be issued as soon as possible. While these changes are put into place, households that receive council tax support should continue to pay as normal. Any overpayments will then be refunded. Anyone who requires support with their council tax can contact the team on 0116 454 1005 or email council.tax@leicester.gov.uk For housing benefits advice, call 0116 454 1006, or email housingbenefits@leicester.gov.uk Help is also available for people who are experiencing financial crisis that has left them without funds for utility bills or food. To make a claim for crisis support, people should email their name and contact number to C19support@leicester.gov.uk A member of council staff will then call back between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday and the application will be completed over the phone. For more information on the range of benefits available visit www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/benefits-and-support Advice on Universal Credit is available on the Government’s website at www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk

The Defence Secretary announces new measures to put service personnel and Reservists on standby to support public services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will put an additional 10,000 military personnel at a higher readiness and place Reserves on standby to support public services as part of a new “COVID Support Force”, the Defence Secretary has announced. These measures are part of prudent contingency planning to respond in a timely way to any request from other governments departments or civil authorities for support during the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the military have assisted with repatriation flights from China and Japan. They are also providing specialist military planners to Local Resilience Forums who are providing support to public services, local authorities and emergency services in preparing their response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Today, the MOD can announce further preparation ready to support public services if required: up to 10,000 personnel will be placed at a higher readiness, so they are able to assist with supporting public services. This is on top of the 10,000 already held at higher readiness.150 military personnel will be trained to drive oxygen tankers in order to support the NHS if required. They will begin training on Monday measures have been taken to enable the call out of Reservists, should they be required to join the response effort scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are supporting Public Health England’s effort to understand the virus and tackle the spread. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: The men and women of our armed forces stand ready to protect Britain and her citizens from all threats, including COVID-19. The unique flexibility and dedication of the services means that we are able to provide assistance across the whole of society in this time of need.From me downwards the entirety of the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces are dedicated to getting the nation through this global pandemic. There are well-rehearsed mechanisms in place for the military to provide support to civil authorities in times of need. Most recently the military has been called on to support the government’s response to flooding. Defence is fully engaged with other government departments, the devolved administrations and local authorities to establish how best it can support over the coming weeks and months. The Standing Joint Command will be the Command and Control Structure for the COVID Support Force, which represents the MOD’s contribution to the government response. Major General Charlie Stickland Assistance Chief of the Defence Staff Operations and Commitments said: Putting more personnel at a higher state of readiness and having our Reserves on standby gives us greater flexibility to support public services as and when they require our assistance.The COVID Support Force, potentially drawing upon our highly skilled scientists at Defence Science and Technology and Laboratory or oxygen tanker drivers, will form part of a whole force effort to support the country during its time of need. Our servicemen and women are committed to maintain our operational output and delivering any support the government requires.

Central England Co-op is urging communities to come together and support one and other as it outlines a range of measures to help those whose lives have been affected by the Coronavirus. The retailer, which has over 240 stores across 16 counties, is looking to help vulnerable people such as the elderly and those on lower incomes at this difficult time. The Society is launching an urgent food bank appeal to support its charity partners after they reported a major fall in donations at the same time as a spike in demand. It is also looking a mass recruitment drive for Customer Service Advisors in many of its stores to ensure the community continues to be served. The retailer has also made a donation to boost their partnership with FareShare Midlands, paying for vital extra transport and staffing costs to make sure that more emergency food packages continue to be delivered. A dedicated online hub has also been launched to provide regular updates on the Society response to the Coronavirus, exact details on its work to help those in need in the local community and hints and tips for people affected. Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said: “As a co-operative retailer, we want to make sure we are leading the way for our communities during this difficult time. “We are launching an urgent food bank appeal and we are asking people to show their co-operative spirit and donate an item or two so our food bank partners can provide emergency food and support to individuals and families. “We have also arranged a donation to our food redistribution partners FareShare Midlands to pay for extra deliveries of vital food packages across the region. “We also wanted to say we are working hard with our suppliers to make sure that shelves areregularly re-stocked, as a community retailer we know how important it is for everyone to have access to good quality food and vital essentials. “To make sure that there are enough items for everyone, we have placed a temporary limit of two of every product in our stores to help maintain stock levels. We are asking our customers and members to be considerate to others at this uncertain time and shop responsibly. “We hope that these measures and the work of our colleagues, members and customers allows us to come together for our communities during this uncertain time.” Items needed for the food bank appeal include cereal, tinned food and fruit, tea bags, dried pasta, rice, long life milk, sugar, biscuits, fruit juice and squash, pasta sauce and instant coffee. Donations will be collected up from Central England Co-op stores and used to create food parcels, which contain around 11 items and will provide at least three days’ worth of meals for those in need. The temporary roles on offer will include serving customers and replenishing stock. Three month rolling contracts are on offer and people must be flexible with shift patterns and locations. Ask in store for more details. People can keep up to date with how Central England Co-op is responding to the Coronavirus by visiting www.centralengland.coop/updates

Restricted visiting now in place Leicester’s Hospitals. The restrictions, designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), come into force from today (Sunday 15 March) across the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General Hospital. Please DO NOT visit our hospitals if you have cold or flu-like symptoms or if you have had sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours. Appointments If you have an appointment at our hospitals you should continue to attend this unless you are advised otherwise by us or you have a new continuous cough or a high temperature, in which case you should phone the number given in your appointment letter to check if you should attend. If you are coming for an outpatient appointment or to the Emergency Department/ Clinical Decisions Unit, please do not bring more than one person to accompany you and where possible please do not bring children with you. Visiting loved ones The following restrictions are now in place: Visiting between 6pm-8pm onlyNo more than 1-2 visitors per patient. Please do not bring children under 16 to visit Please wash your hands well and often. For Neonatal, Maternity and Intensive Care visiting arrangements please contact the units directly. We understand these arrangements will be difficult for some. Discretion will be used for main carers and in exceptional circumstances including compassionate grounds. Please speak to a member of staff if this applies to you. Thank you for helping us to protect your loved ones, visitors and our staff. Finding help The UK’s Chief Medical Officer has announced that the country is now in the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus. The new advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is: Stay at home for 7 days if you have either: a high temperature a new continuous cough. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home. Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. Stay At Home advice can be found here What else can you do? Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands. Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to: Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Thank you for your support and co-operation as we do all we can to protect your loved ones, visitors and our staff.

A new approach to the way policing is delivered across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will result in more officers based in neighbourhoods and quicker response times. From March 11 Leicestershire Police will be introducing its new Target Operating Model (TOM) across the force area. It will result in more officers being based locally meaning quicker response times and more resilience and capability in neighbourhoods. Currently there are eight Neighbourhood Policing Areas (NPAs) across the city, county and Rutland. This will increase to nine under the changes. These will be: North West Leicestershire Charnwood Melton and Rutland (newly created area) Harborough and Wigston (newly created area) Hinckley and Blaby West Leicester East Leicester South Leicester (some boundary changes) Central Leicester Each area will be led by a commander and have the capability for patrol, incident response, investigation, problem-solving and community engagement. NPAs will have their own area CID team, headed up by a Detective Inspector, meaning a dedicated resource in neighbourhoods for investigating more serious offences locally. A new role of Neighbourhood Patrol Officer (NPOs) is being introduced. These officers will respond to incidents, carry out pro-active patrol and investigate volume crime such as burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage. They will be overseen by additional locally based sergeants. They will work alongside existing Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers and teams who work to address local issues and priorities with partners. All newly trained police officers joining the force will become an NPO and be allocated to a neighbourhood policing area. The force is recruiting additional police officers this year paid for from local council tax payers and from the Government’s Uplift programme. Deputy Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “This new way of organising how we deliver our services will ultimately put more police officers directly into neighbourhoods where the public want us to. “In the first few months people may not see any major changes but over time they should start to see more officers in and around their communities. “It will mean more crime being investigated locally by dedicated officers from initial allocation through to arrest and preparation for court or resolution. This means better ownership of issues and the ability to build trust and confidence with the public. “The model is very much based on detailed analysis we have done over time and feedback from officers on the frontline on how best we can deliver 24/7 response. We want to remove some of those boundaries that currently exist that creates silo working, to ensure a greater level of team working. “With more officers based at local level it will mean stronger local knowledge and intelligence and quicker response times. “This will take time to embed, particularly as we will be busy recruiting and training officers for the frontline throughout the year.” Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach has been travelling round a number of police stations in the city and county talking to officers to find out what they think about the new model. He said: “The reaction is very positive. I think officers like the idea that now they will usually handle an incident or crime from start to finish, and I know that residents will find that appealing. “Personally, I like its localism, it’s a good thing. Officers in the heart of communities, dealing with the problems in that community. That’s just what people have told me, over and over, that they want to see. I promised to increase the number of frontline officers tackling local issues and now people are seeing the proof of that. “The aim is to also use our resources to better meet the demand on our services. I think that this new model of service delivery will achieve that and I’m proud to have been involved.”