Loughborough Echo

Detectives appeal as crash pair are taken to hospital

POLICE are appealing for information following a crash at the weekend which left two people in hospital. The driver and passenger of a grey Cupra Formentor were seriously hurt when it collided with a tree on the side of Warren Hill, in Newtown...

Dull for most of December, after a dry and warm year

DECEMBER was once again much wetter, milder and duller than average. The month consisted of two types of weather. The first three weeks saw areas of low pressure move in from the Atlantic with areas of rain and windy but mainly mild conditions. The...

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Fake notes alert issued

POLICE are urging people to check bank notes when selling items online. The force said between November 8 and December 9 it received 15 reports of incidents where counterfeit money was handed over by people collecting items they had agreed to buy via...

Renewed appeal for help to find Aryan

POLICE have made a fresh appeal for information about a missing student. Aryan Sharma, 20, was last seen on CCTV in Meadow Lane, on the outskirts of Loughborough, at 12.30am on November 22.

Fresh plea as search for Aryan continues

DETECTIVES have issued another plea for help in the search for a missing Loughborough student. Aryan Sharma was last seen on CCTV at 12.30am on Saturday, November 22. The 20-year-old, pictured, was spotted on Meadow Lane, on the outskirts of the...

ARYAN NOT SEEN FOR OVER A WEEK

CONCERNS: People and search teams are looking for Aryan Sharma, left

Jailed rapist ‘showed lack of empathy or remorse’

A man has been jailed for raping a woman in her home in what police have described as an “abhorrent crime”. Oliver George White, 34, of Coltman Drive, Loughborough, carried out the rape in Northampton in 2023. He was found guilty by a jury at...

DETECTIVES FEAR MORE GIRLS WERE TARGETED BY ONLINE PREDATOR

POLICE POLIC fear there may be more victims victim of a prolific paedophile dophile who targeted ta young girls online. nline. Detectives Dete spoke out after r Paul Lipscombe, Lipsco above, was jailed d for more than t 28 years. He had h admitted to...

Memorial to Bing, the heroic dog parachuted into France on D-Day

A dog from Loughborough, which served during the Second World War, has been recognised with a metal sculpture in Queen’s Park. ‘Bing’ the dog was an Alsatian and Collie cross who was parachuted into Normandy on D-Day in 1944 and into the Rhine in...

Man Tasered after breaking into police station with axe

A DRUNKEN man armed with an axe was Tasered after he smashed his way into a police station. It was shortly after midnight on October 15 when Wayne Smith, 46, went to Loughborough Police Station, in Southfield Road. While the building was shut, there...

A46 crash murderer gets her sentence reduced on appeal

A woman who murdered her mother’s lover and his friend in a highspeed car chase has had the minimum term of her life sentence reduced at the Court of Appeal. Mahek Bukhari, pictured, was jailed for at least 31 years and eight months in September 2023,...

County’s council tax bills to rise next year

COUNCIL tax for Leicestershire residents is expected to rise in April, Reform UK says, reversing a manifesto pledge. The party, which took control of Leicestershire County Council in May, pledged in the run-up to the election to “deliver for local...

‘I don’t think my defection to Reform UK is going to affect the day job very much at all’

LEICESTERSHIRE’S police and crime commissioner believes “people voted for the person, not the party” as he explained his move from the Conservatives to Reform UK. Rupert Matthews made the claim at a special meeting of the Leicester, Leicestershire and...

It’s official, September is a really cool month

AFTER six months of warm sunshine, September bucked the trend and was much cooler than average. Indeed it was the coolest September in Mountsorrel since 2017. The weather was mostly unsettled during the month and there were no periods of extended...

Man’s body found in Grand Union Canal

A man’s body has been found in a canal. Police made the discovery after being called to the scene on Friday. Officers were called to the Grand Union Canal, near Loughborough, shortly before 11.15 am today (Friday, September 26) following a member of...

Maddie suspect refuses interview

THE prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has refused to be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police ahead of his pending release from prison, the force has said. The Met said it sent an international letter of request to 49-year-old...

192 dogs seized by police in the county last year

NEARLY 200 suspected dangerous dogs were seized by Leicestershire Police last year – the highest number in the country. The RSPCA said it had learned a total of 192 animals were seized, including 177 believed to be banned XL bullies. The RSPCA is...

‘Coward’ left cyclist fatally injured in the road

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Nearly one park for every day of the month in the county

SINCE making a visit to one of Leicestershire’s Green Flagawarded country parks earlier this month, I was curious to know how many there are across the whole of Leicestershire. I was surprised to find Leicestershire County Council (LCC) maintains 17...

‘You’ve got to negotiate over city’s borders’

‘YOU’VE got to have negotiations” over a proposed expansion of the city’s borders, Leicestershire County Council leader Dan Harrison has said. Without them, the Reform UK council leader fears the city would end up taking more land from the county than...

WEATHER WATCHING Summer could rival 1976

JULY was a warmer and sunnier month than normal but with above average rainfall too in Leicestershire. The month was split into two halves with the first half being mainly sunny and very warm with heatwave conditions between the 9th and 13th. The top...

Plans for new town close to EM Airport

PLANS for the long-discussed new town in the north-west of the county have now been officially submitted. Up to 4,250 new homes, three new schools, shops, hotels and sports facilities could be built over swathes of farmland next to Isley Walton, close...

Community lunch nets £420 for town Mela

THE 2025 Loughborough Mela, planned for Sunday August 10 in the Town Centre, has received £420 from a recent community Lunch at Fearon Hall, organised by the Ladies of the Anand Mangal Group. A donation of a further £30, was also made directly to the...

Child poverty ‘strongly linked to benefit cap’

THERE is a strong correlation between the two-child benefit cap and child poverty, a study has found. At least one in four children is in poverty in two-thirds of the UK’s constituencies, annual analysis by Loughborough University for the End Child...

WEATHER WATCHING Sunny, hot and dry weather as June sets another record

JUNE 2025 was another record breaking month with temperatures higher than those set recently in 2023. The first week of the month actually started quite cool with our lowest temperature of 16.7c recorded on the 7th. However by the 9th the temperature...

First group of volunteers trained to help stop violence

YOUTH workers from 15 organisations have completed training to help reduce the risk of young people becoming victims of sexual violence – thanks to £75,000 funding. Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews, right, allocated the money to...

‘If staff wish to fly flags, they can fly them at home if they want’

A new flag-flying policy at Leicestershire County Council has left some staff feeling that it is no longer “safe to be yourself”. The claims came as Reform UK, the new controlling group, met to debate which flags can be flown at County Hall and...

FREE

CCTV has emerged of a man police wish to trace in connection with a reported aggravated burglary in Loughborough. The incident reportedly saw a man threaten a store’s member of staff before punching them and fleeing with a “large quantity of cash”. An...

High pressures leads to very sunny month

MAY followed the pattern of both March and April and was sunnier drier and warmer than normal. The month was dominated by high pressure which stationed itself around the British Isles for all but the last week of the month. The position of the high...

Corrections complaints

If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the production editor simon. [email protected] and, once verified, we will correct it as soon as possible. The Loughborough Echo is published by Reach plc, One Canada Square,...

It’s all about the money... county council leader on the way ahead with Reform UK

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has a new party in control after this month’s elections, but other than a promise to take a hard look at spending, little is known about its policies. Reform UK became the largest party on the authority, sweeping to...

Reform UK councillor was sacked by police

If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the production editor simon. [email protected] and, once verified, we will correct it as soon as possible. The Loughborough Echo is published by Reach plc, One Canada Square,...

Food services at hospital are hit by fire in kitchen

CATERING services have been disrupted by a fire at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The blaze broke out in a kitchen late on Saturday. A significant emergency response was required, with 10 fire crews tackling the flames. Emergency teams worked to contain...

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If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the production editor simon. [email protected] and, once verified, we will correct it as soon as possible. The Hinckley Times is published by Reach plc, One Canada Square,...

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L k what someone has left on the train!

THE price of the average home in Leicestershire rose by nearly £10,000, according to latest figures. Househunters are being warned of the rise, with average property prices closing in on the £300,000 mark. The data, which comes from Land Registry...

Corrections complaints

If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the production editor simon. [email protected] and, once verified, we will correct it as soon as possible. The Loughborough Echo is published by Reach plc, One Canada Square,...

University plans 552-bed accommodation

Man charged with attempted murder

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a town centre stabbing. On Sunday, the victim was still in hospital following the incident which happened on Thursday (March 27). Leicestershire Police were called at around 7pm on Thursday...

Concerns raised over plans to bulldoze shopping centre

“SIGNIFICANT concerns” have been raised over potential plans to demolish a town shopping centre. Fears the site could be replaced with student accommodation have also been labelled a “disgrace” by some opponents. Loughborough’s Carillon Court on Swan...

Governors confirm school to close for good in summer

The Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) has confirmed the Loughborough Amherst School is to close at the end of the 2025 summer term. Governors announced the proposal in January, blaming the move on “financial challenges”. At the time, the school,...

UK HOLIDAYS

Nearly 10 million of us regularly use our overdraft, with some being charged interest of up to 50%. Research by TotallyMoney. com found one in five people are overdrawn on any particular day, with the average debt £709. Many high street banks charge...

Borough council wants to merge with three others in the county

COUNTERPROPOSALS to ensure more than one council covers Leicestershire have been put forward by officials. A reorganisation of the county’s council structures must take place to unlock greater decision-making as part of the government’s devolution...

Trains are hit by scooter and masonry dropped from bridge

“INCREDIBLY dangerous” vandalism is putting the train passengers and staff “at serious risk of injury or worse”, East Midlands Railway (EMR) has said. The train operator has spoken out after three separate incidents have taken place near Loughborough...

Former clay quarry has been earmarked for up to 190 homes

A COUNTRY PARK COULD ALSO BE PART OF FINAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FORMER CLAY QUARRY

‘If it wasn’t for Jacob and the other man, mum wouldn’t be here’

THERE’S still time for people to have their say on a draft strategy to make space for nature across the county. People have already shared their views on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) since the consultation was launched earlier this...

Solar farm could provide power for over 18,000 homes

VILLAGERS are being asked for their views on a proposed solar farm. Exagen is seeking feedback from people who live in Wymeswold to help shape a planning application. Leaflets sent out to residents indicate the solar farm would occupy three parcels...

Man admits he killed partner at home in Italy

A man has admitted killing his partner at their Italian home. Michael Whitbread was arrested in Shepshed in November 2023 after Michele Faiers was found with multiple stab wounds a month earlier. Retired driving instructor Whitbread, who is on trial...

‘Out of the blue’ closure of town school

A SCHOOL is proposing to shut its doors for good. Amherst School, part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation, has blamed the move on “financial challenges” which have been “compounded by” announcements made by the Government in its Autumn...

Government told to ‘wake up’ to flooding threat as hundreds left homeless

THE government has been urged to “wake up” to the threat of flooding and release support cash. Local leaders said hundreds of residents have been left homeless in the wake of last week’s devastating floods, with many forced to seek shelter with just...

Danger to life flood warning leads to emergency evacuation

A DANGER to life flood warning was issued on Monday evening as dozens of people were rescued by firefighters. People living at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar were urged to act with a large-scale evacuation required to save lives after heavy...

Maximum 4.99% rise in council tax proposed

Water bills to rise by nearly 50% as Severn Trent chief says hikes are ‘affordable’

Goalposts moved again as Government comes up with a new house-building target

Council calls for clarity from owners on future of town shopping centre

A COUNCIL has addressed confusion surrounding the future of a Leicestershire town’s main shopping centre, saying it hopes its owner makes their intentions clear soon. Charnwood Borough Council issued a statement as uncertainty continues to surround...

Gang which exploited kids jailed as drugs network busted

A campaign highlighting the dangers of young people getting involved with so-called county lines and drug dealing has been launched. Leicestershire Police hope it will raise awareness about the dangers of child criminal exploitation (CCE), when...

Store to close due to ‘redevelopment plans’

WHSmith is to close its store in town due to a “redevelopment” scheme for the shopping centre in which it is based. The store in Loughborough’s Carillon Court Shopping Centre is set to close next year, a spokeswoman for the company said. A second...

XL bully barged into home to attack woman and her dog

AN XL bully barged his way into a family home to attack a French bulldog and its owner. A neighbour who rushed to help was also bitten by the dog, which has since been put down. The XL bully, named Cookie, was owned by Marekco Ratteray and his...

TikTok post traps teen thief

A TEENAGER who stole a car and took it for a drive with his friends was arrested after a TikTok video of him at the wheel was spotted by police. A Halfords receipt also led to Eithan Watkins appearing before the courts in connection with the...

COUPLE DENY PART IN ‘£1.9M COVID FRAUD’

A husband and wife have been charged with fraud and money laundering offences relating to contracts at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Investigators from the National Crime Agency believe that Jogesh Bhandari and his wife, Meenakshi, brokered...

Four week closure for shop selling illegal vapes and tobacco

A LOUGHBOROUGH shop which was found to be selling illegal tobacco and illegal vapes has been closed for four weeks, following a joint operation by Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards service and Leicestershire Police. Roman Express, in...

Business group slams ‘astronomical’ parking charge plan and claim it will ‘kill us’

A BUSINESS group has slammed an “astronomical” increase in parking charges proposed in their town. The Love Loughborough Business Improvement District (BID) said the plan to scrap the fixed 60p tariff for evenings and Sundays would “have a significant...

‘Huge breakthrough’ in dismantling active town drugs line as two men are jailed

£6.5m revamp of bellfoundry and museum has been completed

Worker stole ‘eye-watering’ £868,800 from theatre

THE former head of finance at the Curve theatre has been jailed for four years and 10 months for stealing more than £868,800 from the theatre. After her arrest, Karen McGowan, 50, blamed colleagues who worked alongside her for taking the money and...