News in Ashby

North West Leicestershire Police have alerted motorists to a spate of catalytic converter thefts in the Ashby and Coalville area.

This is a problem that was spotted in the North Warwickshire area recently and appears to have headed up the A42.

Specsavers in Ashby de la Zouch has donated a number of high-visibility vests to local children's groups.

Before the third lockdown began in January, the Market Street store provided local Brownies and Scouts groups with the vests, as well as Ashby Willesley Primary School, so the youngsters can stay safe and seen while summer slowly approaches.

Six of North West Leicestershire District Council's recycling lorries have been named as part of a competition run with local primary schools.

And children from Ashby and Measham are among the winners.

Coronavirus cases have shown another decrease over the past seven days.

Where the region once had an infection rate, per 100,000 of the population, of just over 400,000, the figure now stands at 245.1, with 254 new cases in the past week.

Ashby councillor Nick Rushton has explained Leicestershire County Council's five per cent council tax hike, saying: "We were left with no alternative".

Council officials say the rise is designed to help the authority 'weather the Covid crisis'.

Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has welcomed the announcement that Leicestershire has been bolstered by an additional 155 officers since the Government launched a major police recruitment drive over a year ago.

The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Leicestershire up to 1,998, meaning there should now be more frontline officers on the streets.

North West Leicestershire Police have issued a warning to watch out for rogue doorstep sellers who are conning elderly people in the region.

The supposed tradesman are over-charging large amount for cheap products.

The county council says people across Leicestershire should be prepared for more wintry weather this week.

Forecasts initially indicated significant snowfalls arriving in parts of the county last Saturday, but a yellow warning of ice and snow has now been issued by the Met Office for between Monday morning and Wednesday night.

Leicestershire County Council has announced it is planning a council tax rise of almost five per cent this year.

For a house in Band D, that will mean an increase of £5.59 a month.

An Ashby pub manager has started an online group for people whose mental health is being affected by lockdown.

Alex Stanley, who runs The Lamb Inn in Market Street, knows it could be May or June before pubs can open their doors to customers again.