Change over seven decades is inevitable and Leicestershire Police in 2022 would be unrecognisable to an officer from 1952. But what hasn’t changed is who all those officers have sworn allegiance to – Queen Elizabeth II. As the country marks The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we’ve looked back at what the force was like in 1952 compared to now… In 1952: The force was in two - Leicestershire & Rutland Constabulary and Leicester City Police, and as such there were two Chief Constables – John Albert Taylor CBE, QPM was Chief of the counties force and Oswald John Buxton Cole was Chief of the city force City had a strength of 256, County had a strength of 420 Mobile police stations were new in action, having being introduced in 1951 Police boxes were still being used by officers to meet members of the public – like this one, now in Bradgate Park - Police Box at Bradgate Park awarded Grade II listed status | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) The first woman Special Constable, Edna Taylor, joined as a volunteer Uniform was different for men and women, with WPCs – as they were then – given skirts, heels and a handbag as part of their uniform The force got 22 Morris Eights In 2022: The force became Leicester & Rutland Constabulary in 1967, before changing again 1974 to Leicestershire Constabulary. The change to Leicestershire Police came in June 2013 when the Royal Notary Consent was granted 2,242 police officers police a 2,500 sq. kilometre area, with the support of 200 Police Community Support Officers – which were introduced nationally in 2002 – and 1,200 police staff roles The force area is split into nine Neighbourhood Policing Units Uniform is unisex, with force issue trousers and shirts being worn by both men and women. Stab vests are worn when officers are out on patrol and every officer has a body worn video to record interactions and evidence Technological advancements have changed the way crimes are committed and therefore changed the way crimes are solved - in ways that wouldn’t have been believed in the 1950s. Mobile telephones, the internet, computers and smart phones mean a large part of the demand on policing now is crimes committed digitally – as well as digital evidence largely contributing to prosecution cases. CCTV, online banking and DNA profiling with fingerprints and bodily fluids have all been developed over the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Creating new ways to commit crime over the years, it also means we are more equipped than ever to solve crime and put those responsible behind bars. Leicestershire Police News

A man from Oadby who was found in possession of cocaine yesterday (Tuesday 31 May) pleaded guilty to his part in the supply of the drugs. In March this year officers executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at Gurvir Singh’s home in Bluebell Close. When officers arrived at the property Singh tried to get rid of a tin box through a bedroom window which was later recovered from a neighbour’s garden. The box contained three bags of white powder and a number of wraps. The powder was later confirmed as cocaine with a street value of more than £30,000. A knuckle duster, £20,000 in cash, a Rolex watch and designer clothing was also recovered from the property. Singh, 38, appeared at Leicester Crown Court and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for possession of a class A drug, 12 months for possession of a class B drug, to run concurrently, and four months for possession of an offensive weapon, also to run concurrently. PC Alex Newbery was the investigating officer in the case. He said: “Singh isn’t someone we knew as a prolific drugs offender however, information we received about his criminality led us to execute the warrant. “When we arrived at the property he tried to dispose of the drugs and throughout our interviews with him in custody he refused to comment and provide any information about his dealing. “Despite his lack of cooperation, the evidence we recovered led us to charge him with the offences he has today pleaded guilty to. “Drugs are a blight on society and can lead to the breakdown of families and friendships. We will act on any information we receive about drugs misuse and encourage the public to report any suspicions either via 101 or via www.leics.police.uk.” Leicestershire Police News

Communities across Leicester have been helping to plan a wide range of events and activities to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month. City council neighbourhood officers have been talking to local users, community groups and partners to develop ideas and plan celebrations to mark the Queen’s 70 years of service. Groups have put in bids for ward community funding from the council to run their own activities, with 23 being awarded cash to put on celebrations unique to their neighbourhood. And with the help of a donation of £7,000 from the Samworth Foundation, community centres around the city will be able to host a range of special activities ranging from a tea party and ‘Right Royal Bake-off’ to a Kings and Queens fancy dress competition. The council’s neighbourhood services team has also been working with Spark Arts for Children to put on a production of Roti Moon, a piece of family theatre for children aged three and over, which will be shown at The Brite Centre and Hamilton Library and Community Centre on 1 June. Cllr Kirk Master, Leicester assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods, said: “It’s important that people from every community can mark this historic occasion if they wish to. Thanks to funding from the Samworth Foundation, our own community ward funding and the support of other partners, we’ve been able to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the celebrations.” Activities kick off in St Matthews on 30 May with a Platinum Jubilee party for the local community. The local tenants and residents’ association is working with the St Matthews Centre to put on the party, which will include refreshments, arts and crafts activities and music and games for children. In New Parks, the New Friends Club will be holding a Jubilee quiz at the library on 31 May, as well as a Queen’s wardrobe arts and crafts session. And Team Hub is putting on a street party along St Oswalds Road on 2 June. Jubilee workshops are already underway at Braunstone’s Brite Centre, where locals are designing themed bunting, flags and crowns with the aim of decorating the centre ahead of the big Jubilee weekend. The activities will lead up to a ‘Queen for the day’ event on 4 June, held in partnership with the Williams Creatives, and a tea party for families on Sunday, 5 June. Eyres Monsell Community Centre will be hosting a garden party on 4 June, with the support of local community organisation Pink Lizard and the local Boys Club. After the party, a white lilac tree will be planted in the grounds of the centre to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee. Events at the African Caribbean Centre will also take place on 4 June, and will include a 1950s themed fancy dress competition, cake decorating, and competition to design a Jubilee sneaker. Caribbean food will be on offer. Live music, exercise sessions and dance performances from local artists will take place outdoors at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 4 June. Some events are bookable in advance so people should check with their local centre that places are still available. More details of the community activities and other events taking place in Leicester to mark the Platinum Jubilee are available here. Leicester City Council News

Fans of Liverpool and Manchester City will be heading for Leicester in July to watch their teams compete for the first trophy of the new football season. The FA has announced that the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season – The FA Community Shield – will be played at the King Power Stadium on Saturday 30 July. This means that thousands of fans will be making their way to Leicester for the game – and the city council is looking forward to welcoming them. “It’s very exciting that all eyes will be on Leicester, as fans around the world look forward to a new football season,” said City Mayor Peter Soulsby. “Liverpool and Manchester City have set extraordinary standards in recent years, and I’m sure their fans will want to get the new season off to a good start by beating their closest rivals – so it should be a cracking game. “We look forward to welcoming the fans of both teams to our city and hope that they’ll enjoy their day out in Leicester.” Leicester City are the current holders of The FA Community Shield. The Foxes beat Manchester City 1:0 to win the trophy last year, after winning the FA Cup for the first time. The FA Community Shield will kick off at the King Power Stadium at 5pm on Saturday 30 July. Broadcast details and ticketing information will be announced by the FA in due course. PICTURE CREDIT: THE FA/GETTY IMAGES Leicester City Council News

To mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee, Leicestershire Police is delighted to announce that the iconic custodian police helmet and Bowler are returning to the heads of patrolling police officers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The distinctive domed helmet for male officers and bowler hat for female officers were removed several years ago in favour of the bump cap. In celebration of The Queen’s jubilee, and as a renewed commitment to standards and to officers being more visible in our communities, a new force-wide rollout of the recognisable headwear has begun. Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “In a crowd, British policing’s traditional helmet and bowler hat are instantly recognisable. "People know they can approach an officer for help. We have brought in the new rollout in The Queen’s jubilee year to strengthen that link between the public and the police and to celebrate the oath we swear to Her Majesty. “Our officers are proud to wear the uniform and we know the public want to see us out on the beat keeping people safe. “This visible reminder will help our officers stand out in an approachable and recognisable way so we can deliver an even better service. “It is a clear sign of the importance of local policing and I am confident the people of our city and two counties will welcome the headgear being brought back.” In addition to the new headgear, improvements are also being made to officers’ body armour. Rolling out from now, the improvements will make officers more comfortable and safe as well as keeping up uniform standards. Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon continued: “Clearly we need the right safety equipment for our officers to do the challenging job we do. These improvements are good steps in the right direction. They will also reflect the professional standards of appearance the public would expect of us. “I want the public to be able to clearly identify officers on the street and feel they are able to approach them in the way that the traditional bobby has been seen and valued for many years. In short, I want officers to look the part and act the part.” The Custodian Helmet has been claimed to be based on the spiked Pickelhaube worn by the Prussian Army and was first adopted by the Metropolitan Police in London in 1863 to replace the ‘stovepipe’ top hat which was worn since 1829. The equivalent for female officers is a bowler hat, which is also being re-introduced. This is shorter, chequered around the rim, and structurally reinforced to equal the custodian's protection. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “I fully welcome the return of this piece of uniform in the Queen’s Jubilee year. Improving uniform standards is part of improving the service to the public. "I equate this helmet to the police officer I used to know, whom I was able to spot in a crowd and know I could approach for assistance. This brings a sense of tradition back to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland but also will build confidence in policing throughout the city and two counties.” Leicestershire Police News

All recycling and waste collections in Leicester will take place on the normal collection days over the forthcoming special bank holiday to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be no changes to collections on Thursday 2 June or Friday 3 June. People should put out their bins and orange bags by 7am on the normal collection day. Any roads that have applied to close for street parties on their normal collection days over the bank holiday will have their waste collected at the beginning of the morning rounds to help minimise disruption. The household waste recycling centres at Gypsum Close (off Lewisher Road) and Freemen's Common (on Islington Street) will also be open as normal throughout the bank holiday weekend. The trade waste service at Gypsum Close will close for the bank holiday. Garden waste collections will take place as scheduled on Monday 30 May. Garden waste calendars are available at www.leicester.gov.uk/gardenwaste For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/recycling

Officers have released an image of a man they wish to speak to after a pushbike was stolen in Knighton Lane East. The Trek Marlin 7, which is a coral red woman’s bike, was taken while left in a secure shed at around 9am on Tuesday 26 April. PC Richard Wagg, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to speak to the man pictured as I believe he may have information that could help. “If you recognise him, know who he is or indeed the person pictured is you, please get in touch.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 22*236728 Alternatively call 101.

An appeal is being made for witnesses to a robbery, in which a woman had a gold necklace taken from around her neck, to come forward. It happened in Wand Street, in the Belgrave area of Leicester, at around 6pm on Thursday 19 May. The victim, who is in her 40s, said the suspect left the scene on a pushbike. Officers have released a photograph of the necklace that was taken. Detective Constable Rachel Tidmarsh said: “I would like to speak to anyone who was in Wand Street and the surrounding area that evening. Please cast your mind back? Did you see anyone on a pushbike? Did you see the robbery take place? “I’d also like to speak to anyone who has seen the necklace pictured for sale. Any information you have could help my investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 22*286544. Alternatively call 101.

“He wishes the man had killed him – life will never be the same again.” These are the words of the heartbroken wife whose husband was subjected to a vicious assault in August last year. The 36-year-old mother of three spoke about the impact that incident in August last year has had on her husband and the family after the defendant was sentenced today (Thursday 26 May) to ten years and eight months in prison. Callum McDermott pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a number of offences after he attacked a 45-year-old taxi driver in Saffron Lane, Leicester, and assaulted a number of officers. He was sentenced for Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to a police officer, two counts of assault on an emergency worker and Section 5 racially-aggravated public order. The family of a victim of assault talk about the case On 23 August McDermott stood in the middle of the road, stopping vehicles from getting by. The victim approached McDermott and was then viciously attacked by him. He was kicked and punched multiple times while he was on the ground. The victim sustained multiple complex facial fractures and was placed in an induced coma with life threatening injuries. After a number of months of treatment and rehabilitation he was discharged from hospital. His memory of what happened that morning is virtually non-existent. The assault has left him with physical and mental scars. The family relied on him financially and he’s not been able to work as a taxi driver since and there is doubt whether he will ever be able to return to that profession. He continues to receive ongoing treatment at home to assist him in regaining some normality into his life. His wife described how he’s changed as a person, without work he feels he’s not a good husband or father. She said: “He’s been extremely depressed and can be tearful – he knows something has happened to him he just can’t remember what. “We originally come from Sri Lanka and he often says he just wants to go back to his homeland and leave the UK. “My older daughter is 10 years old, she knows something has happened and her dad has changed. She was an extremely intelligent girl and as a result of what’s happened her school work started to suffer. Luckily the school have been able to support her and provide some wellbeing counselling to help her. “The detectives who have been investigating this case have been supportive and making adjustments so my husband is able to provide evidence via a video recording and didn’t have to stand up in court and talk about what he remembers or the impact on him now. “When the officers came to our home on the morning of the assault I thought they were just there to speak to me or tell me something – I never expected it to be about my husband being seriously assaulted. “I was in shock for days, luckily family and friends rallied around us and were there to support me and the children through the traumatic time. “That day changed our lives forever and I don’t know whether life will ever be the same for us again. “How can someone do that to another person, does he not have a family, doesn’t he have a heart? “I can only hope now that my husband will recover in some way and be able to return to work and we can be a normal family again.” Leicestershire Police News - 26th May 2022

A Leicester man who stamped on a victim’s head and repeatedly kicked him has been sentenced to more than ten years behind bars. Callum McDermott was seen walking in the road in Saffron Lane, Leicester, during the morning of Monday 23 August last year, stopping vehicles from passing by. A taxi driver pulled over and approached McDermott. The defendant then subjected the driver to a violent attack, kicking and punching him more than 30 times while he was lying on the ground. The 45-year-old victim sustained multiple complex facial fractures and was placed in an induced coma with life threatening injuries. McDermott, 32, of Oliver Street, was arrested at the scene but during the incident he attacked a number of officers. One officer’s nose was broken in four places and he also sustained cuts and bruises to his face. At Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 26 May), he was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison for Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to a police officer, two counts of assault on an emergency worker and Section 5 racially-aggravated public order. He was also charged with attempted murder but following a trial earlier this month he was found not guilty of that offence. Detective Constable Berni Smith was the investigating officer. She said: “This was a horrific attack on a man in a public place, in front of a number of members of the public. Many were left extremely distressed by what they had witnessed. “Fortunately, the victim survived the attack, although he is still receiving ongoing medical treatment and life for him will never be the same. “McDermott didn’t just stop at attacking the victim, he then assaulted a number of officers, one of whom sustained significant facial injuries.” Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “This was a shocking incident and my thoughts are with the victim and his family. McDermott’s actions that day were inexcusable. Not only did he attack a member of the public but officers doing their duty. Any attack on any police officer is very concerning to us and completely unacceptable. “Your police officers and staff are normal people who do incredible things. Drawn from our local communities, they are doing an excellent job at the most challenging of times. “Being attacked and assaulted while they carry out this duty will simply not be tolerated.”

A New benefits calculator and budgeting tool has been launched to help Leicester people manage their finances and minimise the impact of the cost of living crisis. BetterOff Leicester, a new simple online tool, will help people to ensure that they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, including Universal Credit and local council tax support or reduction schemes. It links to ways to apply for benefits online, as well as providing information on how to find, and apply for, local jobs. BetterOff Leicester’s budgeting tool will also help users who are moving into work to easily see a realistic assessment of their take-home pay. Deputy city mayor for anti-poverty, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “A key feature of BetterOff Leicester is it will help people to easily assess if moving jobs will make them better off. We know this is vitally important information for people to have. “It’s also essential that people in Leicester claim all the benefits that they are entitled to, especially as the cost of living crisis hits. An online check with BetterOff Leicester will help to ensure people are getting the help they need.” It’s estimated that currently around £100m in benefits could be going unclaimed to people living in the city. The city council has specialist benefits advisors as well as staff working with children’s services and in the Supporting Tenants and Residents (STAR) service that can help local people with benefits claims. Together, the city council, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire and the Community Advice and Law Service Leicester (CALS) helped local people claim £10.8m of benefits in 2021. Cllr Russell added: “BetterOff Leicester is designed to be simple to use, but we recognise that not everyone has the digital skills they need to complete online applications for jobs or benefits. We’re working very closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Citizens’ Advice LeicesterShire, CALS and other local charities and organisations in Leicester to ensure people can use BetterOff Leicester whatever their circumstances. “That’s why professionals will be able to help people fill in their BetterOff Leicester calculation, using a unique code that helps to ensure personal information is kept safe. “We’re also working very hard with our own library and adult learning services to give people the support they need to improve their digital skills so that they can do more online.” BetterOff Leicester was officially launched on Tuesday (24 May) at a special one-off introductory event at the Community Shop in Stocking Farm. The city council has supported the Community Shop by leasing it a vacant building in Marwood Road for a peppercorn rent, and also provided £150,000 in funding to support its set-up. Specialist advisors from the DWP, who hold sessions across Leicester’s libraries, also visited the shop to offer advice and help on job-seeking. In the future, Community Shop staff will be able to signpost customers to nearby locations where they can get benefits support and use BetterOff Leicester. Leicester City Council has also launched a new anti-poverty website, setting out how Leicester is responding to poverty and gathering together links to resources all in one place. Aimed mainly at professionals who work with people in need, it includes national and local data, information on the council’s approach and objectives, and details of the council’s intention to tackle poverty as part of a long-term strategy. It will be built upon to include the actions of partner organisations across the city. Cllr Russell added: “This website is an excellent resource for anyone who works with people at risk of poverty. It sets out the work we are doing locally to help tackle what we all know is sadly a huge national – and indeed international – issue. “We are determined to work innovatively and closely with our partners to make sure people’s lives in Leicester are not blighted by poverty. This website reflects that determination and looks at practical things professionals can do right now to help people locally who are in need.” The website can be accessed at leicester.gov.uk/anti-poverty To find out more about help during the cost of living crisis, visit leicester.gov.uk/benefits To use BetterOff Leicester, visit leicester.gov.uk/betteroff Leicester City Council News

Leicestershire Police has carried out 42 knife sweeps; 47 test purchasing operations; recovered 329 knives; arrested 25 people and held online workshops for more than 7,500 secondary school pupils during a national week of action targeting knife crime ‘Operation Sceptre’ is about education and enforcement designed to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife; target those who carry weapons and disrupt the sale and supply of knives. It runs twice a year and ran from Monday 16 May 2022 to Sunday 22 May 2022. The force’s Children and Young Persons Officer, Katie Hudson, and Substance Misuse Officer, James Edmondston, held 11 workshops across the week presenting to 7576 young people and 315 teachers/professionals from 20 schools. Across the 2021/22 academic year knife crime awareness workshops have been delivered to 40 educational establishments reaching a total of 710 professionals and 17,885 young people between the ages of 12-18 years old. The huge response to the workshops reflects how keen schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are to work with the police to discourage young people from picking up a knife. Beat teams also visited their local secondary schools to engage with young people and answer their questions. Some teams took a knife arch to show young people one of the ways officers can detect people carrying something metal. They were also deployed in parks, train stations and under passes. The Head of Secondary at Avanti Fields School in Hamilton, Nisha Kholia, emailed their local beat officer; “Thank you to you and your colleague for taking time to visit our school and hold an information stand. The student feedback has been really positive and appreciated the opportunity to talk to you both, ask questions and find out more. We look forward to inviting you back to our school soon.” In a joint operation between the police and trading standards, 47 shops that were visited by an underage test purchaser. Eleven shop workers failed to question the young person’s age and sold them a knife. The force’s We Don’t Carry #LivesNotKnives online campaign, designed in partnership with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) reached over 800,000 people across digital and social media channels. Officers gave out hundreds of information leaflets to young people and adults giving advice on where and how to get help and referring them to a new website LiveSafe Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Drummond, from Leicestershire Police’s Violent and Complex Crime Unit, said: “We’ve had another very successful Op Sceptre and I am delighted we have taken 329 knives off our streets which can never be used to threaten or harm anyone. The week is as much about awareness and engagement as it is about enforcement and we have had an incredible response to our online workshops and our new social media campaign aimed at young people. “I was a little disappointed to see that eleven of the forty-seven shops we visited sold a knife to our test purchaser who was under the age of 18. Shopkeepers should know their legal obligations when it comes to selling knives and can expect to be tested again. A second failure could lead to prosecution. “We’ve also worked with partners and different projects designed and commissioned by the VRN, for example, the Violence Intervention Project at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and in our custody suites which reaches out to victims of violence at a key moment in their lives to help them make better decisions. Enforcement is of course important too but if we can work with our partners to stop people carrying a knife in the first place that would be the perfect result.” Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said; “Thank you to Leicestershire Police for taking yet more knives off our streets. It’s at times like this when we realise that we still have a long way to go to eradicate knife crime. We need to drive down violent crime, including knife crime, to save lives and stop the pain suffered by bereaved families. “We owe it to victims to support the police in their endeavours and that’s what I intend to do. whether it’s preventative work or ensuring officers have the confidence to tackle violent criminals, I will support them however I can.” If you are looking for help and support, please visit LiveSafe If you are a concerned family member or friend there is also information on the website to help you. Why not start the conversation today using our a 10 step guide? https://www.leics.police.uk/livesnotknives