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A community workshop designed to combat social isolation and improve mental health is transforming lives thanks to a helping hand from Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews. The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland PCC provided funding to New Parks Men’s Shed and Community Garden for a new weatherproof storage area to enable outdoor activities to continue throughout the winter months in addition to a minor upgrade of facilities. The project brings together men to socialise, share skills and work on hands-on craft projects in a relaxed environment where they can connect to other people in their communities and make friends. Members engage in woodworking, metal work, electronics, gardening and community restoration projects, developing new skills and sometimes selling what they have made to raise vital funds for the project. The facility, which also welcomes adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), provides a social space for tea and conversation to improve mental health and wellbeing. Members become part of a supportive community and are given job titles and praise to boost confidence, increase their self-esteem and reduce feelings of anxiety. Previously, members have made benches, raised planters, a pond, insect sanctuary, shelving units, raised planters and a summer house. Volunteers are also trained in mental health first aid and provide an open ear and signposting to help for those struggling with loneliness, isolation, or personal worries. This is in line with Rupert Matthews’ focus on tackling the root causes of crime through early intervention and supporting local initiatives that stop issues from getting worse. The approach is about working with communities, giving residents a voice in what happens in their neighbourhoods, and joining up with partners to deal with problems in a practical, common-sense way — with more emphasis on preventing issues than reacting to them later. Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Oliver Bryan said: “This facility has become a real hub for members — a friendly place to meet up, make friends and try something new, all while feeling part of a great group. “It’s a simple idea that makes a big difference, helping to boost wellbeing and ease loneliness, especially for men who might otherwise feel a bit isolated. “Even through the colder months, the group has kept the momentum going, which says a lot about how much it’s valued. We’re really pleased to have supported the new storage area so everything can carry on running smoothly all year round.” Men’s Shed is a globally recognised format and there are now thousands of similar facilities across the world, each helping to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. In New Parks, the project has become a focal part of community life, with volunteers working alongside other charities and partners to build resilience and strength and help people thrive. Picture Shows (L-R):Justin Moulder (Circuit Mission Enabler), Graham Foster and Deputy PCC Oliver Bryan

As Leicester’s largest free festival returns, there are lots of ways to make your journey into the city centre this weekend to join in the fun. The Riverside Festival takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June with a huge programme of arts, music and performance, as well as lots of family-friendly activities, funfair rides, boat trips and heritage attractions. Activities will be spread along the River Soar’s Mile Straight, as well as on Bede Park, the De Montfort University campus, Castle Street, The Newarke and at Castle Gardens. Across all festival locations, there will be a wide range of international street food, licensed bars, craft markets and stalls, and walkabout entertainers. To allow the festival to take place, there will traffic restrictions on some roads from 7am on Saturday until 8pm on Sunday. Roads that will be closed to traffic include Western Boulevard, Mill Lane, The Newarke, Castle View, The Gateway, Newarke Close, Grasmere Street and Eastern Boulevard. Walkers can enjoy a scenic route along the River Soar to arrive at the festival – and for anyone travelling by bike, there is free secure bike parking available. Bike parks will be located at Bede Park, Western Boulevard and the DMU campus – just look for the large Ride Leicester flags. Anyone arriving by bike can also get free cycle hub membership for the whole year (usually £10), which means you can park your bike for free at the Town Hall bike park and St Margaret’s cycle hub. Parking in the area is very limited, so drivers are advised to use city centre car parks. For anyone taking a taxi to the site, suggested drop-off points are Western Boulevard, The Gateway or Castle Street for access to Bede Park, the DMU campus and Castle Gardens respectively. Organisers are committed to making Riverside Festival as accessible as possible for all visitors. A calm space will be available throughout the festival at the Kimberlin Library on the DMU campus. It will have ear defenders and fidget toys available, plus an accessible toilet. Other accessible toilets will be available across the festival, and there is a Changing Places space at Jewry Wall Museum. Selected activities at Castle Gardens will include British Sign Language interpretation, and local charity Mosaic will be offering trips on Sunbeam II, their fully accessible narrowboat, with access via a ramp. Leicester Wheels for All will also be at the festival, based on The Newarke, showcasing their range of adaptable bikes suitable for all ages and abilities, including wheelchair users. They will run a bike taxi service for anyone needing extra help getting around the festival sites. Wayfinders and large print maps will be around the site, and friendly festival staff in yellow hi-vis jackets will be happy to help. Cllr Vi Dempster, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for culture, said: “Riverside Festival is for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of people to the city centre to enjoy a huge range of music, art and activities. “We’re very proud of this free festival and what it offers to visitors and families, showcasing Leicester at its best. It’s the result of a fantastic collaboration between lots of organisations and partners – and most of all, it’s fun!” For more information on everything the festival has to offer, see https://visitleicester.info/riverside-festival/

Information is being sought by Police officers following a serious collision in Groby yesterday (Thursday 4 June). Police were called to Oaktree Close just after 2.20pm following a report a motorcycle had collided with a pedestrian and then left the scene. The pedestrian, a woman in her 90s, was taken to hospital for treatment. She remains in a critical condition. Enquiries to identify the motorcycle and locate the rider are continuing. No arrests have been made at this time. Detective Sergeant Charlotte Mee, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “We know the motorcycle travelled from Ratby Road into the centre of Groby prior to the collision occurring at the junction with Oaktree Close. “I’d like to speak to anyone who saw a motorcyclist in the area at the time and in particular, any motorists who captured it on a dashcam. “I’d like to extend my appeal to anyone who has footage captured on CCTV or a doorbell camera too. Anything you’re able to provide could help our investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/making-a-road-traffic-incident-report/ and quoting reference 26*325080. Alternatively call 101. You can also pass on information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously Leicestershire Police News

A group of Leicestershire cyclists have embarked on a 220-mile challenge in the hope of securing national recognition for a new long-distance cycling route that would put the county on the map for ‘bikepacking’ adventure tourism. The proposed ‘King's End’ route will link key historic sites, countryside landscapes and independent cafés across Leicester and Leicestershire, with the hope that it will be included in Cycling UK's prestigious ‘Adventure Series’ - potentially making it the first officially recognised route of its kind in the Midlands. Inspired by the story of King Richard III and the Battle of Naseby, named the ‘Kings End Way’ the route traverses the Leicestershire countryside with key stops at places of historic significance and cycle-friendly cafés and restaurants. The route is a great way to uncover the history of Leicestershire on two wheels, covering a variety of landscapes on quiet roads which circle the Leicestershire countryside like a wheel, occasionally crossing into neighbouring counties including Rutland and Nottinghamshire, with four ‘spokes’ all heading back into Leicester itself. The route, named King’s End gives a nod to the downfall of not one but two English kings. Leicester is home to the remains of King Richard III, the last king of England to die in battle in 1485 at Bosworth, resulting in the fall of the House of York and the rise of the Tudors. He was famously discovered in Leicester in 2012, with the ‘King in the car park’ story generating huge national and international awareness. Less well known but equally significant is 1645’s Battle of Naseby which proved to be the decisive conflict in the English Civil War. Royalist troops, having besieged and captured Leicester, marched to Naseby and lost decisively to Cromwell’s New Model Army. This ultimately led to the capture of Charles I, the only English monarch to be tried and executed. The Cycling UK routes, ideal for multiple day ‘bikepacking’ adventures are aimed at keen cyclists interested in exploring the history and locations. The Midlands is currently underrepresented with the first seven routes focusing on the south, west and Wales, so this route is a chance to get Leicester and Leicestershire firmly onto the cycling map! The route can be completed in piecemeal (quadrants), with the full 220 miles aimed at experienced cyclists, but can be attempted over multiple days, with suggested accommodation available via the Visit Leicester website. All of the roads, cycle paths and off-road sections (around 35% of the route is through forests, or by canals and water features) have been selected to be cycle-friendly and accessible to everyone. The team are trialling the route this week, setting out from the King Richard III Visitor Centre on Tuesday 2 June and returning on Friday 5 June. It is then hoped that Cycling UK will agree to investigate the route which will hopefully lead to it being included in their list of routes from 2027 as the first Midlands ‘Adventure Series’ route! Mike Dalzell, who was the Director of Tourism at Leicester City Council for many years, and is leading the group’s effort said: “We’re excited to get this route underway and recognised. Leicestershire has a fantastic story to tell, and I know as a keen cyclist that the routes and infrastructure around the county are top class. We hope that this is enough for Cycling UK to agree to come and investigate this route and ultimate include it!” For more information on the Cycling UK Adventure Series, go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/tags/adventure-series

New backing for businesses to protect their livelihoods and staff from crime Businesses across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland are to benefit from extra high-tech security resources to tackle retail crime and protect their employees thanks to a new funding boost. Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has shared £46,853 between nine local councils and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as part of his mission to safeguard local livelihoods and support joint solutions to prevent business and retail crime. The funding is being invested in a series of advanced interventions from CCTV cameras and retail radio handsets through to personal safety alarms for shopworkers and e-learning safety courses for retail staff. It comes after the PCC previously invested £52k in 110 Body Worn Videos (BWV) for independent retailers who are frequently the target of violence and shoplifting. This funding was distributed across the area’s Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) and BIDs, with organisations eligible to apply for up to 25 BWVs for allocation to retailers. The PCC has talked to businesses and retailers at length during his community walkabouts and patch days about the impact of shoplifting, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and threats and assaults on shopworkers. Business Crime is a key priority in his Police and Crime Plan with the PCC committed to equipping businesses with the information and resources they need to protect themselves from crime and to eliminate the harm posed to their employees. The PCC has also vowed to roll out more crime prevention programmes to help businesses reduce their risk and to make it easier to report crime while ensuring the force pursues all reasonable lines of enquiry and investigates business crime effectively. “I want our businesses to thrive across our region but to do so they must feel supported and listened to,” said Mr Matthews. “I meet business owners and shopkeepers every day. They are frustrated that their livelihoods are coming under constant threat by undeterred criminals and are worried for their frontline staff. “There’s a misconception that shoplifting only hurts proprietors – this couldn’t be further from the truth. It hits all of us in the pocket, pushing up prices, inflating insurance premiums, triggering job losses and weaking our economy. Together, we must fight back. “This is why I am pleased to be taking positive action, funding practical resources that will not only serve as a greater deterrent to criminals but will also increase the chance of detection and improve evidence-gathering. “I take crimes against businesses and retailers extremely seriously and will continue to do everything possible to deliver the strong and robust response retailers rightly expect with the money behind it to make a difference.” The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) shows the PCC’s unprecedented focus on preventing crime in the first place is paying dividends, with the area continuing to outperform both regional and national averages for shoplifting and a series of other crime types. The PCC remains committed to sustaining this progress, supporting businesses through targeted investment that enables them to proactively reduce risk and strengthen their resilience. Among the organisations to successfully bid for funding is Hinckley and Bosworth Council which has been awarded £5,183 towards the improvement of its existing retail radio network, funding additional radios, chargers and batteries. Blaby District Council has received £4,900 towards the installation of a Geofencing bollard to protect businesses and pedestrians from ram raiders and an upgraded CCTV system while BID Leicester has been awarded £5,200 to cover the cloud service linked to the 25 BWV devices it secured during the first round of funding. The latest grant will provide cloud service for an extra two years, bringing the total coverage to three years. Meanwhile, Rutland County Council has received £5,270 to support its Rutland Retail Crime Initiative, funding DISC and refurbished retail radio handsets. DISC is an information sharing app which empowers business owners to share information about incidents and offenders between themselves so they can better protect themselves against crime and keep their property, employees and customers safe. It also enables them to report incidents to the police quickly. Full the full list of recipients visit: https://bit.ly/BusinessCrimeGrants25-26

Family activities, expert talks and commemorative plaque unveiling mark Leicester's role in Britain's pioneering Mars mission The National Space Centre and UK Space Agency are inviting families and enthusiasts to celebrate one of the UK's most remarkable achievements in space exploration at a special Beagle 2 Celebration Day on Sunday 7 June 2026. Included with normal admission, the day will commemorate the Beagle 2 Mars mission and the vital role Leicester played in its story, with hands-on activities, family-friendly talks, expert discussions and the unveiling of a permanent commemorative plaque. The mission has strong links to Leicester with the National Space Centre being home to the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Control Centre, where its story continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers. Developed by a UK-led team with major contributions from the University of Leicester, Beagle 2 successfully reached Mars in 2003, with its landing site later confirmed by NASA imagery. The project is widely recognised as a remarkable success story in British space exploration. To honour this pioneering mission, visitors will be able to take part in a programme of activities throughout the day designed to inspire all ages. Celebrations begin with a morning of family-friendly workshops and interactive experiences, including programmable rover challenges where young engineers can test their skills navigating a Martian landscape. Visitors can also explore the fascinating geography of the Red Planet with the National Space Centre's Discovery Team and get up close to a life-sized model of the Beagle 2 lander. Visitors can also enjoy Mission Mars, an interactive family talk presented by the Discovery Team at 11:00am and 1:30pm, exploring the challenges of travelling to, living on and returning from Mars before guests are invited to gather in the Live Space theatre for the official unveiling of a commemorative plaque marking the location of the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Control Centre within the National Space Centre at 12pm. The afternoon programme will culminate in a special panel discussion featuring many of the scientists, engineers and mission specialists involved in Beagle 2. Designed for highly engaged space and science audiences, the discussion will offer unique insights into the mission's legacy from the new space approach that Beagle 2 laid the foundations for. Whether you're discovering Beagle 2 for the first time or have followed its story from the beginning, this special celebration offers a rare opportunity to explore a mission that transformed our understanding of Mars and demonstrated the UK's capability to reach another world. For more information and to plan your visit, go to spacecentre.co.uk.

A special event has been held at the Glenfield Hospital to thank a volunteer who has supported UHL’s cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) classes for 20 years. Roger Latham has been a consistent presence at classes held at the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Loughborough and at the Glenfield Hospital since taking part in a rehab programme himself, in 2006. The cardiac rehab service at UHL supports patients in their recovery from a heart attack, heart surgery or following a diagnosis such as heart failure. The multi-disciplinary team includes nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, exercise instructors, and cardiac rehab assistants who help patients to improve their fitness, quality of life and future health. The service offers individualised exercise, education and support, and can be considered just as important for patients as taking their medication. Roger’s volunteering journey began after he suffered a heart attack in 2005. Following treatment at the Glenfield, he was referred to the cardiac rehab service to complete a structured exercise programme. It was through meeting a volunteer during his classes that Roger was inspired to give back himself. “The classes were really helpful for me”, explains Roger. “After you experience a heart event, there can be a psychological barrier to get over. You’re not always sure what levels of physical exercise you can do safely. “And so getting a prescription for exercise, and support to go through it in a structured way, gives people the confidence to go forward in their lives.” Roger helps the team to set up each session and joins in with warm-up exercises, but his key contribution is his ability to connect with patients through his lived experience. “I just love the interaction and getting to know the patients”, said Roger, from Barrow upon Soar. “I chat to them, especially if they’re new. I find that a lot of people appreciate the reassurance and the opportunity to talk to somebody who has been there and done it. “The staff are great – I get on well with everyone, and they make me feel like I’m part of the team.” UHL’s cardiac rehab service arranged a gathering at the Secret Garden to formally thank Roger for his ‘extraordinary’ contribution over two decades. Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse, Eithne Heneghan, said: “Throughout an amazing 20 years of volunteering, Roger has served as an ambassador for lifelong exercise. Having walked in our patients’ shoes, he approaches his role with a deep understanding of the anxieties a cardiac diagnosis can bring. He is often the first to greet patients with a reassuring welcome, and his presence brings a calm, cheerful confidence that is very settling for service users. “We cannot thank Roger enough for his contribution over the past 20 years – he is irreplaceable.” UHL benefits from the support of hundreds of volunteers within our hospitals, who offer their time to help improve services for patients and visitors. Many different roles are available, ranging from meeting and greeting patients to driving buggies to hairdressing. If you are interested in volunteering at one of UHL’s hospital sites, visit our volunteering page to find out more. UHL News 04/06/2026

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) is continuing to help more children get treatment sooner through its paediatric super week initiative, which brings together surgical teams from across multiple specialties to deliver high-volume elective procedures over the course of a week. The third super week, which took place during the May half term, saw 73 children treated, helping to reduce the paediatric waiting list by almost 12 per cent. The initiative focuses on low-complexity procedures carried out using a 23-hour model. This means patients can be admitted, treated and discharged within a 23-hour window, helping to maximise the use of beds while maintaining high-quality care and patient experience. Marianne Elloy, ENT Consultant at UHL, said: “The super week model is helping us make a real difference for children and families waiting for treatment. By bringing teams together and focusing on planned, low-complexity procedures, we’re able to treat more patients safely and efficiently while maintaining a high-quality patient experience. “We know waiting for surgery can be difficult for children and their families, so reducing waiting times and improving flow through our services remains a key priority. The success of the three super weeks we have delivered so far shows what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation and careful planning.” The super week model has been developed to help address waiting list pressures across a number of paediatric specialties, including surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology and maxillofacial services. By concentrating activity during school holidays, when paediatric bed pressures are lower, UHL has been able to maximise theatre capacity and reduce the risk of cancellations. It also benefits families by reducing disruption at school. Over the course of three super weeks, 183 children have been treated in total, including 73 surgeries in just four days during the most recent initiative. The approach brings together multidisciplinary teams from across UHL in a coordinated effort to improve patient flow and ensure children receive timely care in a safe and child-friendly environment. Following the success of the first three super weeks, further sessions are planned later this summer as teams continue to expand the model to support elective recovery across paediatric services. UHL News - 04/06/2026

Leicester Magistrates Court has today granted an order that will allow Leicester City Council to secure the former NCP car park at Lee Circle, to prevent anti-social behaviour from taking place there. The Closure Order was granted for a period of up to three months, after which the council can apply for an extension if needed. The order means that anyone who does enter the building without the council’s or court’s permission – as set out on the order - could face a fine, imprisonment, or both. Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "Despite many requests, neither NCP, or the owner of the building have made any attempt to secure it and prevent it from being a hazard to the public, and so the council has taken this action. "Our safer communities team has spent some considerable time and effort in gathering the evidence needed to secure this order, so the court's decision today is very welcome. "While we remain hopeful that an operator will still come forward to take over the car park, it's essential that the building is made safe and secure in the meantime, and the work needed to ensure this can now go ahead. "We will of course be seeking to recover all of our costs for this work from those responsible for the building." Work to board up all entrances and exits to the multi-storey building is already under way, and expected to be completed by Friday (5 June). The city council had been working alongside Leicestershire Police to try to prevent ASB at the site. Inspector Ryan Ludlam, commander for the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), said: “Leicestershire Police fully support the council’s action to secure this site, which has been linked to ongoing anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “This is a positive step in protecting the public and preventing further incidents while longer term solutions are put in place. We would continue to encourage our communities to report any such issues to us by calling 101 or visiting our website.” Lee Circle is one of five car parks which closed when NCP went into administration. Three of these – Abbey Street, St Nicholas Circle and East Street - have been re-opened by Euro car parks. The Rutland Centre car park, which is located near to Curve theatre in the city’s cultural quarter, remains closed, and has been secured by its owners. Leicester City Council News Published on Thursday, June 4, 2026

Leicestershire residents had the chance to try something new at an adapted cycling event held at County Hall on Tuesday (26 May), made possible through funding from Active Travel England. Adapted cycling sessions provide inclusive cycling using a variety of specialist equipment like trikes, handcycles and wheelchair carriers. The sessions have been coordinated by Leicestershire County Council’s sustainable travel team and showcase a variety of options to help people travel more easily and stay active. The event, run with Leicester Wheels for All (LWFA), welcomed 28 local people for friendly taster sessions, with most attendees being young people. The event focused on helping them build confidence, develop new skills, and explore how cycling could support their independence, wellbeing, and future travel choices. People were able to try a range of specially designed bikes and trikes, with support from trained instructors who helped match each person to the right equipment for their needs. Families and carers were also there to support and join in. Councillor Andrew Hamilton-Gray, cabinet member for highways and transport at Leicestershire County Council said: “Thanks to this funding from Active Travel England, we’re able to give more people the chance to experience adapted cycling first-hand. It was especially encouraging to see young people taking part, building confidence, and gaining skills that will help them travel more independently now and in the future.” Eric Ludlow from LWFA said: “We’re here to help people find out about different bikes, what they can do, what will work for them, and give them some ideas where they can purchase and hopefully get their own bikes – so they can be independent and get the freedom of cycling that everybody enjoys. “You can’t get these bikes from a standard bike shop; there’s only a handful of suppliers in the UK that manufacture these bikes so they’re very specialised. And we’ve got TomCat here today to assist us because they can build a bike around someone’s disability. It doesn’t really matter what the disability is, we can find a bike which will work for somebody. And we’ve got a long history of never being defeated.” The LWFA team have been holding events across the county as part of their scheme with the county council under the Legacy Grant scheme, funded by Active Travel England, including a session in June for pupils at Birch Wood School in Melton. Leicestershire residents have another chance for this opportunity on Sunday 28th June. Contact events@leicesterwheelsforall.org(link sends email) to find out more. To find out more about travel options in Leicestershire visit the Choose How You Move website. Leicestershire County Council News Thursday, 4 June, 2026

Leader of Leicestershire County Council, Dan Harrison, is sending condolences to the family of a local Isle of Man TT competitor who tragically died during qualifying last week. Daniel Ingham, from Melton Mowbray, was a successful and experienced motorcycle rider, a husband and a father of two. "Daniel was a well-respected, popular and successful racer. I'm so very sorry to hear about what happened and my thoughts and sympathies are with his wife, children, family and friends. "Daniel's family has launched an appeal for photos to celebrate his life and I'd encourage people to share their memories to help celebrate his spirit and achievements."

This is the fifth successful prosecution under Operation Hind. Two shop workers have been sentenced following a successful prosecution by Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, after illegal tobacco products were sold from a Loughborough shop. This is the fifth successful prosecution under Operation Hind, launched to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit tobacco and non‑compliant vaping products being sold in local shops across the county. Khalid Aziz Faraj, of Rose Street, Redheugh, Gateshead, and Kawa Abdulla, of Barrow Street, Loughborough, appeared at Loughborough Magistrates Court on Friday 29 May, where they pleaded guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015. Each defendant was fined £333, reduced from £500 to reflect their early guilty pleas, and ordered to pay a £133 victim surcharge and £160 in prosecution costs, bringing the total to £626 each. The court ordered that the fines be paid at a rate of £100 per month, with the first payment due within 28 days. The case related to The Rushes Store Limited, trading as Loughborough International, at 50a The Rushes, Loughborough, and followed an investigation by Trading Standards officers. Between 8 and 23 January 2026, officers carried out a series of test purchases at the premises, during which counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were sold. Faraj sold, or was involved in the sale of, five packets of cigarettes on 8 and 16 January. Abdulla sold nine packets on 13, 16 and 23 January, including seven packets of counterfeit cigarettes and two packets of smuggled, non-UK duty paid cigarettes intended for sale in Nigeria. Both men were arrested by police on 23 January and taken into custody, where they were later interviewed under caution by Trading Standards officers. In sentencing, magistrates acknowledged the evidence presented by Trading Standards, but determined that both men had played a limited role, stating that there was no significant sophistication or planning involved and that they had been operating under the supervision of an employer. Passing sentence, they said they had assessed the offences themselves, rather than the individuals’ roles alone, when deciding on the penalties imposed. The investigation into The Rushes Store Limited and its director remains ongoing. Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards is encouraging residents to report any concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and support law-abiding businesses. They can be reported anonymously through Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Operation Hind is a county‑wide enforcement initiative led by Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, working in partnership with Leicestershire Police, to crack down on the sale of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes and illicit tobacco products. It was launched to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit tobacco and non‑compliant vaping products being sold in local shops, many of which pose serious health risks, with previous tests identifying dangerous substances such as arsenic, lead and formaldehyde in illegal vapes. The initiative focuses on prevention through advice and warnings, intelligence‑led inspections, test purchasing, joint enforcement visits and prosecution of both business owners and shop workers involved in the illegal trade. Leicestershire County Council News