Information on Leicester
News Index
2012
May 2012Apr 2012
Mar 2012
Feb 2012
Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Trading Standards officers are running an undercover operation to check if traders are selling two of the most dangerous age-restricted products available to children.
Volunteer youngsters will attempt to buy knives and cigarette lighter refills containing butane from shops and markets across Leicestershire.
It is an offence to sell either product to anyone under the age of 18. Businesses and staff which sell illegally risk a £5,000 fine and or six months in prison.
Disappointingly, 25 per cent of shops subjected to a test purchase attempts last year sold either a knife or butane to a 15 year old child.
Knife crime has a devastating effect on families and communities. Nationally a knife incident happens every 25 minutes, 80 per cent of offenders are aged between 12 and 20, and a third of victims aged between 10 and 17.
Butane is a gas found in cigarette lighter refills and, if inhaled, it can kill first time. Young people remain the group most associated with solvent abuse, most deaths occurring in the 14 to 18 age range.
Statistics like these simply re-enforce the importance of not selling to under 18s.
David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service said: “We work throughout the year to help businesses to comply with the law and not sell to those under 18. We hope that none of the shops we visit will sell, but any that do will be firmly dealt with. Our advice is simple – no ID no sale.
“Businesses in the County who would like a free pack of practical precautions or consider they need further advice to deal with age restricted sales should contact the Trading Standards Business Advice Line on 0116 305 8000.”
Background Information
Knife test purchases in Leicestershire over the last 6 years:
Year
Attempts
Sales
Failure rate
02/03
15
6
40%
03/04
10
4
40%
04/05
8
2
25%
05/06
10
0
0%
06/07
1
1
100%
07/08
8
2
25%
Total
52
15
29%
Enquiries are continuing into the sales of knives in 2007/08.
Current legislation relating to knives:
Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended by the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) – The sale to any child under 18 of any knife, knife blade or razor blade, any axe or any article that has a pointed blade and is made or adapted for causing injury to persons is illegal. This includes kitchen knives, cutlery and utility knives. Maximum penalty six months imprisonment and/or £5000 fine.
Although there are exemptions for pen knives with a blade of less than 3” long, nearly all items with a blade are illegal to sell to under 18s.
A knife incident happens every 25 minutes. 4 in 5 offenders are aged between 12 and 20 years and a third of victims aged between 10 and 17 years – Home Office site www.knifecrimes.org
A MORI Survey for the Youth Justice Board found that 29% of secondary school children (57% of those excluded) admitted to routinely carrying knives.
Butane test purchases in Leicestershire over the last 6 years:
Year
Attempts
Sales
Failure rate
02/03
22
3
14%
03/04
11
3
27%
04/05
14
0
0%
05/06
2
0
0%
06/07
0
0
0%
07/08
8
2
25%
Total
57
8
14%
Both the businesses that sold butane illegally last year (to a 15 year old child on the 20th December 2007) were prosecuted, the results of which are as follows:
Barrow upon Soar business. Guilty plea, fined £1,500 reduced for early guilty plea to £1,000, costs £500, all payable within 7 days.
Loughborough business. Charges were brought against the business as well as the Director. Both entered a guilty plea, the Director was fined £1000 + £15 victim surcharge, no separate penalty was imposed on the company but it was ordered to pay the County Council’s costs £1499.08.
In 2001, Volatile Solvent Abuse (VSA) was responsible for 7 times the number of fatalities than those related to ecstasy (http://www.thesite.org/drinkanddrugs/drugsafety/usingdrugs/solventabuse)
The 2003 annual report from the EU’s drug agency warned that one problem often overlooked but with a big impact on public health is young people’s use of solvents and inhalants. After alcohol and cannabis these are the substances most commonly used by 15 to 16 year olds in the EU, and found that one in 7 15 and 16 year olds in Britain sniff solvents to get high.
Drugs charity SOLVE IT says solvent abuse kills 60 young people each year in the UK, while St Georges Hospital Medical School’s annual report on mortalities from solvent and volatile substance abuse (2001) puts the figure at 75.
One third of young people that die from VSA are first time solvent abusers. Young people remain the group most associated with solvent abuse – between 1971 and 2000 most deaths from VSA occurred in the 14-18 age range (SOLVE IT).
Gas fuels continue to be associated with the majority of deaths. In 2001, butane lighter fuel accounted for two-thirds of VSA deaths (42 of 63 deaths).
Help with butane and other volatile substance abuse is available by contacting New Directions on 0116 2229529 (under 18s) or Adult Services on 0116 2229559
Latest News
If you don't use it... freeuse it! | |
|---|---|
 | 11 February 2010If you don't use it. .... 11 Feb 2010 If you don't use it... freeuse it! |
Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby | |
 | Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in GrobyPolice are appealing for witnesses following the assault of two teenage boys in Groby. The incident happened at around 6.... 11 Feb 2010 Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |
Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell | |
| Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres MonsellHomes of elderly residents in Eyres Monsell are being given a security boost to help prevent distraction burglaries. Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary will be visiting up to 300 properties to carry out security checks and install crime prevention devices such as door chains and bolts, window locks, kick boards to strengthen front and back doors, personal alarms and digital spy cameras, where appropriate.... 11 Feb 2010 Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell |
Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers | |
| Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers Elderly residents in Leicester are being warned following a series of distraction burglaries by two men claiming to be police officers. Four distraction burglaries were reported to police in the city during the evening of Wednesday February 10.... 11 Feb 2010 Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers |
Related News
Trading Standards Clamp Down | |
|---|---|
 | error - no content. .... 25 Apr 2008 Trading Standards Clamp Down |
CLOSING IN ON AGGRESSIVE SELLING | |
 | New consumer protection laws are in force which will help Trading Standards tackle a wider range of unfair trading practices... 18 Jul 2008 CLOSING IN ON AGGRESSIVE SELLING |
Licences revoked after two Leicester shops fail test purchases | |
 | Licences revoked after two Leicester shops fail test purchases Two Leicester shops have had their licence to sell alcohol revoked after being caught by police selling alcohol to underage customers on two or more occasions. Londis on Horsefair Street in Leicester city centre and Victoria News & Booze on Howard Road in Clarendon Park appeared before Leicester City Licensing Committee at the Town Hall this morning (Friday March 27) following applications from the police to review both licences.... 27 Mar 2009 Licences revoked after two Leicester shops fail test purchases |
Shop staff fined for failing Halloween alcohol test | |
| Shop staff fined for failing Halloween alcohol testThree shop staff in Wigston have been fined for selling alcohol to a 15-year-old. They were each given 80 fixed penalty notices following a test purchase operation organised by Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicestershire Trading Standards.... 30 Oct 2009 Shop staff fined for failing Halloween alcohol test |
57 premises targeted in largest ever test purchase operation in Leicester | |
| 57 premises targeted in largest ever test purchase operation in Leicester Police have carried out the largest number of test purchases ever done in a single day in Leicester as part of an ongoing campaign to crackdown on underage drinking in the city. A total of 57 off-licences, pubs and bars across Leicester were targeted by undercover officers on Saturday March 21, with the help of three 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old posing as customers.... 24 Mar 2009 57 premises targeted in largest ever test purchase operation in Leicester |
Relevant News
Don't be dead in the water this summer | |
|---|---|
 | Parents preparing for summer are being urged to think before buying blow-up arm-bands and rings County Council Trading Standards officers are encouraging people to check that buoyancy aids will really do the job before grabbing the nearest inflatable off the shelf. Not all products are meant to be used to help a child stay above water and even if they will float, if the item is a toy, such as an inflatable animal or giant ring, it will not necessarily be manufactured to the same safety standards as something specifically designed to help a child learn to swim.... 09 Apr 2008 Don't be dead in the water this summer |
Trading Standards Clamp Down | |
| error - no content. .... 25 Apr 2008 Trading Standards Clamp Down |
Trading Standards In Leiceseter | |
 | A TOTAL of 28 second-hand cars have been removed from sale from garage forecourts in Leicester after they were found to be unroadworthy.... 16 May 2008 Trading Standards In Leiceseter |
Are Your Pies Pukka? | |
 | Officers from Leicestershire Trading Standards have been checking the authenticity of one of the region s greatest delicacies. Samples of steak and kidney pies were bought from takeaways displaying the Pukka Pies logo, and tested to make sure they were the real thing.... 16 Jun 2008 Are Your Pies Pukka? |
Don't Stockpile Petrol! | |
 | Trading Standards are warning motorists not to panic and stockpile petrol to see them though any shortages at the pumps. ... 17 Jun 2008 Don't Stockpile Petrol! |
Most Read News (today)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
|---|---|
 | A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
 | A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
 | A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
| Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (this month)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
|---|---|
| A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
| A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
| A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
| Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (alltime)
Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial | |
|---|---|
| Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trialClockwise from top left: Gaffar, Mirza, Desai and KhanA PCSO has been praised today after his actions helped to secure the prosecution of four men for GBH, kidnap, false imprisonment, robbery and blackmail. At around 8.... 13 Nov 2009 Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial |
Don't be dead in the water this summer | |
| Parents preparing for summer are being urged to think before buying blow-up arm-bands and rings County Council Trading Standards officers are encouraging people to check that buoyancy aids will really do the job before grabbing the nearest inflatable off the shelf. Not all products are meant to be used to help a child stay above water and even if they will float, if the item is a toy, such as an inflatable animal or giant ring, it will not necessarily be manufactured to the same safety standards as something specifically designed to help a child learn to swim.... 09 Apr 2008 Don't be dead in the water this summer |
Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University | |
 | Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University |
DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: WASTE OF TIME OR ROARING SUCCESS? | |
 | Central and local government have both adopted the Internet to promote their activities and to get feedback from citizens. But how successful has this been?... 17 Apr 2008 DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: WASTE OF TIME OR ROARING SUCCESS? |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |