Residents and businesses in Leicester’s Clarendon Park are being asked for their views on a potential revamp of the popular Queens Road shopping street. Leicester City Council is considering a range of possible improvements as part of a citywide programme of investment to help local businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic and the disruption it caused. At Queens Road, the city council wants to help improve the shopping environment by creating more space for outdoor café areas and wider, safer pavements for pedestrians. Initial ideas could see changes made to some side road junctions – including potentially closing the junctions at Montague Road and Cecilia Road to vehicles – to create more pedestrian space and cut the amount of traffic turning into Queens Road, helping to make the busy shopping street safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Pavements could be widened at key points to make more space for outdoor café-style seating areas to support businesses, while retaining the on-street parking spaces for shoppers and visitors, including disabled people. Additional loading bays could be provided for businesses. This could include widening pavements outside Barceloneta and Friends Tandoori – between Howard Road and Cecilia Road – and filling in the existing bus stopping bay alongside the shopping area between Montague Road and Clarendon Park Road to create more space. Improvements to make the route safer and more appealing to cyclists are also being considered, to complement the recent introduction of a docking station on Queens Road as part of the new Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike hire scheme. Traffic calming measures, such as raised crossings, on Queens Road are also being considered to encourage motorists to cut their speed and improve road safety. The initial ideas for improvements to Queens Road have been developed closely with ward councillors and now the city council is inviting local residents and businesses to have their say. Assistant city mayor and Castle ward councillor Danny Myers said: “Queens Road is at the heart of the community in Clarendon Park. It’s a space that is held dear. Events like our Summer and Christmas fairs attract thousands and it is a place that can be enjoyed throughout the day and evening, all year round. “Creating a high quality-space that reflects this popularity is a great opportunity. The area would really benefit for improvements to create a more attractive and safer environment for visitors and to support local businesses. It’ll be interesting to see what people think of these proposals and to hear other ideas they may have for Queens Road too.” Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transport, added: “It’s really important that we continue to invest in streets like Queens Road to enhance the environment, make them more people-friendly and help ensure their local businesses continue to thrive. “It’s clear that we have a real opportunity to invest in Queens Road and make it an even more attractive place for residents, local business and visitors. “We’re very keen for the local community to be an integral part of the creative process as this scheme develops”. An online survey has been launched to help gather people’s views. People can take part by visiting consultations.leicester.gov.uk/comms/queens-rd Closing date for comments is Saturday 30 July 2022. The project team will also be at the Clarendon Park Summer Fair on Sunday (19 June) to discuss the initial proposals in more detail, and letters outlining the ideas will be delivered to homes and businesses in the area.

The Flag of the Armed Forces will be raised in Leicester’s Town Hall Square on Monday (20 June) to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole will be joined by Deputy Lieutenant Ramanbhai Barber for the simple ceremony at 11am. The flag-raising ceremony will be followed by the Armed Forces Day parade on Saturday (25 June). Led by the pipes and drums of the Seaforth Highlanders, the 400-strong parade of service personnel, veterans, reservists and cadets will step off from Jubilee Square at 10.30am and make its way to Green Dragon Square. Ongoing works at Leicester Cathedral mean that the Drumhead Service ­– a traditional service held in the field, in which regimental drums are placed together to form an altar – will take place in Green Dragon Square this year. The parade route will take in High Street, Gallowtree Gate and Horsefair Street, before arriving in Green Dragon Square. Crowds in Green Dragon Square will be entertained by the Corps of Drums from 10.45am, before a fly-past by a single Spitfire at 11.16am will signal the start of the open-air service. Led by the Bishop of Loughborough, Saju Muthalaly, the 30-minute service will include the reflections of a serving soldier and performances by the Cottesmore Military Wives Choir. Restrictions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic mean that it’s the first time since 2019 that the parade has taken place – and Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole is hoping that people will turn out in numbers on Saturday 25 June to show their support. “Let’s show our service men and women how much we appreciate them by lining the parade route on 25 June,” he said. “Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity to show our support – and it’s also an opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of a marching band and a military parade, right here, in our city centre. “After missing the last two years due to Covid, we are delighted to acknowledge the work of our armed forces, both past and present, and to welcome them back to Leicester.” Leicester has a longstanding relationship with local units of the armed forces, with both the Royal Lancers and Royal Anglian Regiments having been granted the freedom of the city of Leicester. The city council is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the authority’s relationship with the armed forces, and the services available to current and former personnel and their families. Leicester’s Armed Forces Day Parade and Service has been organised by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Lieutenancy Office, and Leicester Cathedral. Leicester City Council News

There's a new addition to Leicester’s Green Dragon Square – but only those who scour the skyline will notice the vulpine visitor on the top of the wall at the rear of the Corn Exchange. Created by an award-winning artist, the larger-than-life crouching fox is the second in a trio of fox sculptures commissioned by the city council. The first sculpture – a life-size replica of a fox on the move – was installed on the roof of the King Richard III Visitor Centre in November, while the final one will be installed on a flat roof at the LCB Depot on Rutland Street later this year. Leicester City Council hopes that the trio of sculptures – all shaped from steel wire – will create new talking points at the three popular city centre locations. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “These new sculptures will complement the investment we’ve made in Leicester’s streets and spaces in recent years. “Art installations and other design features are important elements of our public realm and help create attractive spaces that people can interact with and enjoy. “These charming foxes, created by a very talented artist, are a welcome addition to the streetscape and I hope people will enjoy looking out for them in Leicester city centre.” Artist Candice Bees – whose sculpture of an urban fox won the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year award in 2016 – said: “The fox is synonymous with Leicester so I was delighted to be commissioned to create this trio of sculptures. “Each fox takes me around six to eight weeks to complete – and each one is completely unique. I start by making a simple armature that represents the fox’s skeleton and then use thick wire to create a basic muscle structure. Finer wires are then used to model the outer skin and fur. This is the most time-consuming bit, as each hair is represented by a single strand of wire, woven through the sculpture to ensure that the final piece is as realistic as possible. “I hope that both locals and visitors will have fun, spotting something beautiful and unexpected on a city centre rooftop.” The sculptures have been funded as part of the Connecting Leicester project – the City Mayor’s long-term programme to better connect Leicester’s places of interest and create a more attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Leicester City Council News

An investigation into a large fight in Leicester city centre is continuing – and detectives are appealing for help to identify a number of men. It happened in New Walk following the Leicester City versus Aston Villa game on Saturday 23 April. To date, 11 men – supporters of both teams – have been arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on bail while enquiries continue. However a number of men believed to have been involved have not been identified. Those pictured below are believed to be supporters of Leicester City: ***Update: 13/6/2022: Following the publication of this appeal on 10/6/2022, two of the men pictured have since been identified*** While those pictured below are believed to be supporters of Aston Villa: Detective Constable Ahmed Dada, the investigating officer, said: “I’m appealing for public help to identify those men pictured as I believe they may have information about what happened and can assist with the ongoing investigation. “If you recognise anyone and know who they are – or indeed you’re one of these men – then please get in touch. Any information you’re able to provide could help.” You can pass on information by visiting and quoting reference 22*230490. Alternatively call 101. Leicestershire Police News

Two parent champions from Leicester have won national awards for the work they do to help others. Ciara Audley and Farah Hussain were recognised by The Coram Family & Childcare Trust - a family charity based in London - at the charity’s recent Parent Champion Awards ceremony and conference. Ciara, from Braunstone, won an award in the category of volunteer who has made the most personal progress, while Farah, who lives near Fosse Park, won the best newcomer award. Parent champions are volunteers who help local families to access services and support from a council’s network of children’s centres. They provide a link between the community and local services, and represent the views of parents to help shape future services. In Leicester, for example, parent champions have been heavily involved in organising Get Up And Go, the council’s annual summer programme to encourage children, young people and their parents to be physically active during the summer period with a range of low-cost or no-cost activities. They have also taken part in interviews for members of council staff, as part of a recruitment panel. Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell, who leads on social care and anti-poverty, said: “I’m so proud of our parent champion programme and of all our parent champions. Ciara and Farah have worked so hard and fully deserve these fantastic awards. “These awards build on the success of our parent champions programme, which is now well established and last year won Parent Champion Scheme of the Year at the same awards. “It’s so important that local parents – as well as children and young people – are at the heart of what we do. Involving them in the services we provide is a crucial way in which we can ensure that what we offer is what parents want and need.” Ciara, who won the Parent Champion award for the most personal progress, said: “I’ve used Braunstone children’s centre for more than 20 years, from when my own children were very young. After I had my twins – now 14 – I suffered from post-natal depression and anxiety. This developed into severe agoraphobia and I didn’t work for seven years. “I used the Early Help service at the children’s centre and it was a staff member there who suggested I become a parent champion. I remember one of the first training sessions we had was in town, and I had to get myself there – I was shaking. But I met a friend there, another parent champion, and I haven’t looked back since then. “A lot of parents here have anxiety, they don’t have much money, and after they school run, they’re left at home with a toddler all day – it can be lonely. I help to get the word out that there are stay and play groups to help you; there are groups for young mums, all sorts of things. I walk them up to groups from their front door because I know how daunting it can be that first time. Then they come back, they make friends, their children progress – it’s great to see. I’m giving back to the community and I feel like part of a big family.” Farah, who won the best newcomer award, said: “I was referred to the children’s centre through a family support worker. I did a parenting programme and then they asked me to be a volunteer. I wasn’t sure at first, but they encouraged me. I started last November and it’s been great. “I’ve joined courses, attended online meetings and supported lots of different projects at children’s centres across the city. They need that parent view – I’m on the recruitment panel for team managers to be a parent voice. It’s exciting because I’ve done management roles in the past, so it’s ideal that I can use my skills for this. “I’m going to be running focus groups on sanitary protection projects we’re working on with public health, to tackle period poverty and make sure women and girls have what they need. I really enjoy working with people and helping people through projects like this. Kindness doesn’t cost anything and I’m inspired by other people who come forward to volunteer and give up their time despite what else they have going on. “I’m truly honoured by the new volunteer award. It’s so nice to be recognised and acknowledged as I have put my heart and soul into it. It’s an amazing feeling!” To find out more about the services available from Leicester’s Children, Young People and Family centres, visit https://families.leicester.gov.uk/childrenscentres/ Leicester City Council News

Plans for the next phase of an ambitious programme to build hundreds of new council homes in Leicester have been given the green light. Leicester City Council has appointed award-winning developer Robert Woodhead Limited to build 38 new affordable, low carbon and energy efficient homes on the site of the former velodrome off Saffron Lane, to the rear of Hawkins Road. The £12million scheme help will increase the council’s stock of much needed affordable housing. It will be funded through the council’s housing revenue account and with money raised from the sale of council homes through the government’s Right to Buy scheme. The city council will also provide land which is currently in use as a small part of the car park at Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium for the new housing development. The new homes and will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, and ten wheelchair-accessible bungalows. All of the new homes will be built to high environmental standards. This will include solar PV panels, very high levels of wall, floor and roof insulation, triple glazed windows and air source heat pumps. The homes will cut carbon emissions by around 75 per cent compared to a typical new home – equivalent to a carbon saving of around 67 tonnes per year. All homes would also have a private garden and off-street parking. Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “This ongoing programme of house building is an important part of our wider strategy to prevent homelessness and overcrowding by provide some of the new homes that are so badly needed in the city. “By building new council houses ourselves, we can focus on areas of particular need, such as wheelchair accessible homes, and play an important role in helping ensure that growing demand for affordable housing is a priority. “The development will also feature a range of measures to ensure that these new homes are highly energy efficient which will cut their carbon cost and help future tenants save on their energy bills.” Award-winning construction company Robert Woodhead Limited have been appointed as the council’s contractors on the ambitious scheme, following a competitive tendering process. Michael Broadhurst, Head of Commercial at Robert Woodhead Limited said: “We are delighted to be back building for Leicester City Council again, bringing high quality, sustainable homes forward to meet local need. We are looking forward to starting on site this summer.” Work to build the 38 new homes off Saffron Lane is expected to be complete by Spring 2024. Leicester City Council is also planning to build an additional 37 environmentally friendly new homes on Lanesborough Road, in Rushey Mead. The council last year completed construction of 29 new council homes at six sites across the city. These feature roof-mounted solar panels and other energy efficiency measures to help cut carbon emissions and reduce household bills. In total, Leicester City Council is planning to invest up to £50million to create an estimated 350 new council homes across the city over the next few years. Building more low carbon homes is just one of the actions resulting from the first Leicester Climate Emergency Strategy. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision for how the city needs to change to move towards becoming carbon neutral and adapting to the effects of global heating by 2030, or sooner. To find out more visit www.leicester.gov.uk/ClimateEmergency Leicester City Council News

Officers have released images of a man they wish to speak to after three parcels were stolen from the porch of a home in the West End of the city. The burglary happened around 7.20am on Friday 20 May from the front porch of a home in Haddenham Road, Leicester. PC Charlotte Wood, the investigating officer, said: “We would like to speak to the man pictured – he may have information that can help us with our enquiries. “If you know him or have any information about this incident, please get in touch.” Contact police by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting crime reference 22*292333 or call 101. Leicestershire Police News

A man who attacked a woman attempting to locate her dog has been jailed for more than eight years. On 8 December last year, a car belonging to the partner of Michael McDonagh’s victim was stolen while parked in Central Road, Hugglescote. Inside was their black and ginger lurcher called Duke. After making their own appeal on social media, the victim and her partner were given information stating the car – a purple Nissan X-Trail – may be in the area of Copt Oak Road, Copt Oak. They visited the area and saw the vehicle, but upon speaking to people present, were attacked. The victim, who is in her 30s, suffered significant head and arm injuries as a result. They both left the area before calling for help at a service station in Little Shaw Lane, Markfield. Duke was found safe and well in the Loughborough area three days later. Following further enquiries, McDonagh, 18, was identified as the person who attacked the woman and on Thursday 9 December, he was arrested by police in Merseyside. Today (Tuesday 7 June) he pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Leicester Crown Court. McDonagh, of Copt Oak Road, Copt Oak, was sentenced to eight years and three months’ imprisonment and is subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim or her family. Detective Constable James Clayton, from the force’s Complex Investigation Team (CIT) was the officer in the case. He said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack. “The victim and her partner were doing whatever they could to get their dog back, but were confronted by McDonagh – a dangerous and violent individual. “What happened that evening has had a significant impact on the victim and she is still re-living her ordeal. I can only hope today’s outcome – and the fact McDonagh is now behind bars – will provide a degree of closure.”

It started as an investigation in 2019 into an organised crime group involved in supplying cannabis and cocaine – and has ended with 20 people being sentenced in the courts. Intensive work by officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit had uncovered a well-established criminal arrangement between two men - Reece White and Joseph Black with White supplying Black with regular wholesale amounts of cocaine and cannabis. But it was following the arrest of Black in August 2019 that further investigations into the pair led officers to identify more and more people who were involved in the supply of drugs - with 20 people being brought before the courts over the past couple of years. Over the past three months, the defendants have been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after all previously pleaded guilty to various drugs offences. Officers had arrested Black on 21 August 2019 after he had met with White in Wigston where he had received a quarter of a kilogram of cannabis and 125g of cocaine. Black was stopped as he drove back to Derbyshire where he was found in possession of the drugs. Examination of phones showed there had been a number of previous supplies between White and Black while also identifying that Black had his own customer base for the drugs. Black’s girlfriend Hannah Bradbury and associate Reece O’Connell were also found to be assisting him in the preparation and distribution of cannabis to customers. Following the arrest of Black, White was found to focus his attention on developing and expanding his cannabis supplies. Officers identified Joshua Burns from the West Midlands area who was shown to be operating commercial cannabis factories and supplying White with multiple kilogram amounts of cannabis. In October 2019, Burns was seen by officers to meet with White and with another man - Ryan Steers - in the Wigston area and supply multiple kilogram amounts of cannabis. White and Steers then drove away where their car was subsequently stop checked by police. The vehicle was found to contain around two kilograms of cannabis. Evidence recovered showed the cannabis was intended for a man by the name of Benjamin McDonagh. White’s home was also searched where a further eight kilograms of cannabis were found as well as two ounces of cocaine in a vehicle parked outside. Further investigation then showed that White was also involved with a network of cannabis suppliers. These included Dillon Kidger, Tommy Squires, Shay Allen, Perry Clarke, Sonny Clarke, Robert Telford, Adam Mulla and Carolyn Spencer. It was then found Kidger was involved in a further conspiracy to supply cannabis with another man - Jason Chatwani. It was also found that Sonny Clarke was being assisted in supplying cannabis by Nikita Dell and that they supplied wholesale amounts of cannabis to a man named Michael Wright. Robert Telford was also found to be using his brother Thomas Telford’s address in Syston to supply the cannabis which he had received from White. A further criminal associate of the group Faisal Mohammed was found to have been importing cannabis for supply within the group from the United States. A number of kilograms of cannabis was evidenced as being imported as part of the investigation. The people involved were all arrested and charged with various offences with admissions to offences being made during court hearings held at Leicester Crown Court during 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Investigation launched following incident in Belgrave Gate, Leicester Belgrave Gate Leicester Nine people have been arrested following an incident in Belgrave Gate during the early hours of this morning (Sunday) 5th June, in which three people suffered stab wound injuries. Police were called at 4.08am to a report of a fight in Abbey Street, Leicester. Officers attended where two men, both in their 20s, were found in Belgrave Gate with stab wound injuries. Both were taken to hospital where they currently remain. One of the men is reported to be in a serious but stable condition. The second man suffered injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. A third man, in his 20s, presented himself at hospital shortly after the incident. He reported he had suffered a stab wound injury in the incident. He currently remains in hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. Belgrave Gate / Abbey Street Junction Following initial enquiries at the scene, nine people, aged 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27 and 28, have been arrested in connection with the incident. They all currently remain in custody. A full investigation has been launched and detectives are appealing to anyone with any information regarding the incident to make contact. Detective Inspector Simon Pearson said: “We are carrying out a full investigation to establish what has happened. A scene preservation remains in place while our team continue to gather evidence and speak with witnesses. Video filmed by members of the public at the time of the incident. ⚠️ Warning contains violence content “The incident happened during the early hours of this morning in the city centre. If you were in the area please think back to anything you may have seen or heard which could help our enquiries. If you have any CCTV footage and have not yet spoken with police of if you were driving in the area and have any dashcam footage then please also make contact with us. “This incident will understandably cause concern. We have officers in the area speaking with people and offering reassurance. Please speak with them and please be assured that we have a full investigation ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident.” Anyone with any information should contact police quoting incident 135 of 5 June. You can call 101 or report online at www.leics.police.uk

Leicester's biggest free family festival is set to get underway this weekend taking in the city’s waterways and open spaces. The Riverside Festival takes place on June 4 and 5 at Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard and the Mile Straight of the River Soar, and includes a programme of fun for all ages both on and off the water. This year’s event, which takes place over the extra long Bank Holiday Platinum Jubilee weekend, will also include some Royal-themed activities marking the 70-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Castle Gardens will feature a silent cinema, showcasing both the Royal Family over the decades, alongside a varied programme of family-friendly children’s films and hosting a range of eco-themed activities. The River Soar will come alive with a colourful narrow boat rally, boat trips, kayaks and the opportunity to view and buy work from local artists at Art on The River. Bede Park will feature family activities including a fun fair, food stalls, arts and crafts, beer tent, acoustic music stage and lots of activities, with the nearby piazza hosting a programme of great live bands. Western Boulevard sees the return of the hugely-popular street market with arts, crafts, tasty street food plus the Ride Leicester cycling area. In addition, visitors using the city’s e-bike share scheme will be able to take advantage of a free £5 credit offer. To use the Santander Cycles Leicester scheme, simply download the Ride On app to start riding. The first 200 people to quote RSF2022 between midnight on 4 June and midnight on 5 June will get a free £5 credit added to their account, to use on bike trips. The offer is open to new and existing users, by visiting https://rideonleicester.com/ Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “This year’s Riverside Festival once again brings to life this stretch of the River Soar and Grand Union Canal, with a packed programme of colourful events and activities suitable for the whole family. “With the event coinciding with the weekend of the Queen’s Platinum Royal Jubilee, there will be a chance to enjoy the silent cinema in Castle Gardens commemorating the Queen and Royal Family over the last 70 years of her extraordinary reign. “I very much look forward to this event each year, as summertime in the city gets underway.” More information on the Riverside Festival is available at www.visitleicester.info Leicester City Council News 1st June 2022

Community organisations are being invited to express their interest in running Leicester’s African Caribbean Centre. The centre, in Maidstone Road, Highfields, is a well-used and popular venue that provides a range of activities and opportunities for local people, as well as acting as a focal point for the city’s African Caribbean community. Now the city council is offering local groups the chance to take over the day-to-day running of the centre. City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’re offering this opportunity because we know that local communities often welcome the chance to express an interest in running their local centre. This has formed the basis of our city-wide Transforming Neighbourhood Services programme, and has seen other centres successfully transferred to community groups for them to run. “A recent consultation showed that just over half – 53% - of people who expressed a preference would like to see a community organisation take on the lease and running of the African Caribbean Centre. This result means we want to explore this option further, but we need to ensure any group that takes on this role is the right choice for us and for the community. “Community organisations will need to provide a business plan to show us they have the capacity, experience and resources to take on the running of the African Caribbean Centre. The business plan must demonstrate a significant expansion of community services, with a particular focus on serving the needs of the African and Caribbean heritage community and strengthening the ongoing connection of the African and Caribbean community with the building.” The opportunity to apply for running the centre is expected to launch in mid-June, and will remain open for three months. Support will be available to help community organisations develop business plans, and a strict set of assessment criteria will ensure business plans are realistic and will provide the best services for existing users and communities. Organisations interested in the opportunity will be able to find full details on the council’s Property Shop website from mid-June: www.leicester.gov.uk/propertyshop Find out more about Leicester’s community centres at leicester.gov.uk/communitycentres See the results of the consultation at: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/communications/african-caribbean-centre-survey/ Leicester City Council News