Leicester City BLOG 25.2.25
My latest Community Day took place in Leicester City, with a varied agenda in place taking me across the City to meet with residents and key stakeholders.
My first meeting was with Leicester City Councillor Mick Gregg, where we discussed concerns about crime and community safety in Castle Ward. I regularly visit the centre of Leicester, however it is always good to hear directly from elected representatives about the concerns their residents are feeding back to them.
One of the issues raised most with me and local Councillors is the use of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters on pavements and out in our communities. I met with Sgt Zane Tompkins from the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area to see the great work ongoing as part of Operation Pedalfast. Operation Pedalfast has been ongoing for 18 months in the City Centre, where our new policy means that illegal vehicles are now being seized without prior warning.
In the hour and a half that Sgt Tompkins had been in the City that day, 10 vehicles has already been seized. Cracking down on illegal e-scooters and e-bikes is a key priority in my Police and Crime for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. That is why I am delighted to see this proactive policing taking place in direct response to the concerns of the public. Well done Sgt Tompkins and the rest of the NPA team!
My next meeting took me to the Highfield Community Centre, where I met with Fatima Li from Young Futures. Young Futures received just under £20k from my Commissioners Safety Fund to deliver youth development sessions to young people aged 12-24 in the City. This includes sports sessions, developing skills in music making and producing, multimedia, creating videos and therapeutic arts to name but a few. I was delighted to hear of the impact the project is having in the local community.
A total of 83 sessions have been held since April last year and the general feedback from locals is that anti-social behaviour (ASB) is reducing which is positive news. Alongside learning new skills and developing new friendships, the project has helped promote awareness and understanding among young people about the different cultures and faiths within East Leicester. I was also happy to hear of the new roof garden being built at the centre which is due to open in the summer, I will have to come back soon to see the finished product.
I then took myself off down Melbourne Road, to talk to residents and shoppers about their views on community safety and retail crime in the area. I spoke to the manager of a local café who updated me from their perspective regarding local policing and business crime in the City. Hearing directly from business owners and shopworkers is so important to understanding the issues being faced on the ground. As ever, I will feedback their views to the local NPA Commander.
Finally, I stopped by the Greek Orthodox Church on Sawday Street to meet with churchgoers. There was a clear level of support for the Church from the community which is great to see. I was delighted to introduce myself as the Police and Crime Commissioner, and I left my contact details should the Church or anybody else need them.
