Isaac Ashe

Three men aged 24, 20 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a man in his 20s was stabbed on Aikman Avenue in Leicester's New Parks area. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries that police said were not life-threatening or life-changing, and the suspects remain in custody.

Four men aged 28, 29, 48 and 61 were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a 35-year-old man was attacked with a blunt object on Harlaxton Walk in St Ann’s, Nottingham, on 12 August. The victim suffered serious head injuries that police say could affect him for the rest of his life. The suspects were released on bail with strict conditions while the investigation continues, and police are appealing for information.

The southbound A1 near Fernwood, Newark, was expected to remain closed into Sunday evening after a three-vehicle crash at about 17:00 BST. The closure extended between the A46 and the A52 at Grantham in Lincolnshire, causing around three miles of tailbacks, and motorists were advised to find alternative routes.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent after a 37-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach following an argument between two people socialising on Lower Eldon Street in Sneinton, Nottingham. The injured man was taken to hospital, while police said the suspect and victim know each other and that there is no wider risk to the public.

Dylan Hall, 24, from Park Road in Chesterfield, has been charged with four counts of rape involving two women. Derbyshire Police said one alleged assault occurred on Infirmary Road on 8 August 2026 and three counts relate to an alleged assault in Queen’s Park on 18 June 2023, which was reported in March. Hall was remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates and is due to appear at Derby Crown Court on 10 September.

A man suffered non-life-threatening cuts to his neck, wrist and ear after allegedly being struck with a glass during a fight outside the Moon and Stars pub in Bulwell. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and a 19-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. A 28-year-old man was also arrested at a Bulwell address over an unrelated offence in Scotland.

trentbarton will change two East Midlands bus services from 30 August 2026. An additional vehicle, supported by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, will be added to the threes route between Nottingham and Mansfield to improve punctuality. Late-night buses from Hucknall to Mansfield will be reduced after 01:00 to better match demand, while the harlequin service between Derby city centre and Heatherton will receive minor timetable adjustments.

Western Boulevard, part of Nottingham’s outer ring road, was closed in both directions after a crash in Basford. Nottinghamshire Police said officers were called to the collision at about 19:00 BST and advised people to avoid the area while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The A628 Woodhead Pass through the Peak District is scheduled to reopen on Friday after being closed for nearly two weeks because of the Tintwistle Moor wildfire. National Highways will operate three temporary traffic-light systems while firefighters continue tackling hotspots in the peat. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said steady progress had been made, with no visible flames, but warned that changing winds and warmer temperatures could affect the ongoing operation.

Services at Leicester’s historic St Andrew’s Church are due to resume in the church hall after an accidental fire severely damaged the roof and parts of the Grade II* listed 1862 building. More than 40 firefighters attended, no injuries were reported, and a coffin prepared for a church warden’s funeral was rescued. The church remains partly unsafe because of falling roof slates, while structural assessments and security work continue. Church leaders said worship and community support would continue despite the damage, with volunteers organizing cleaning and recovery efforts.

Temporary Leicestershire Police Chief Constable David Sandall, who was off duty near a football match in Burbage, chased and arrested a teenager who had brought a large knife onto the pitch after an altercation. The teenager, who was also carrying a smaller knife, pleaded guilty to threatening someone with an offensive weapon and received a 12-month youth referral order, restraining order, knife deprivation order and financial penalties. A second 17-year-old pleaded guilty to common assault and received a shorter youth referral order, a restraining order and compensation order. Sandall and the investigating officer stressed the seriousness of knife-carrying and the potential for more severe injuries.

A man in his 30s died at the scene after his e-bike was involved in a collision with two other vehicles on Preston Rise in Hamilton, Leicester. Leicestershire Police said no other injuries were reported and no arrests had been made. The road was closed for several hours, while the force’s serious collision investigation unit appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage.

A fire involving a van and a Tesla car caused significant damage to the southbound A1 north of Newark after the van crashed into the Tesla. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze, with no injuries reported. The road was initially closed between the B6325 and A17; two lanes later reopened, while one remained closed for assessment and delays continued.

Residents near the Erin landfill site in Duckmanton report worsening odours and fly infestations, saying they feel trapped and ignored after years of complaints. Valencia Waste attributes the rising rubbish and stench to delays in approval for a new tipping area and has halted deliveries while increasing soil capping. The Environment Agency is inspecting the site daily and may take enforcement action. Local MP Toby Perkins is pressuring the agency to ensure the operator addresses the nuisance affecting Duckmanton and Poolsbrook.

Bustler Market will reopen in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter on 31 July in a new two‑storey site constructed from repurposed shipping containers after leaving its previous location to allow the Castleward regeneration scheme to proceed. The relocation follows the council’s planning work for the next phase of the Castleward redevelopment, part of a long-running urban regeneration project near Derby Midland Railway Station.

Derby City Council attributes widespread complaints about uncut grass to 20 vacancies in its Streetpride grounds maintenance teams, despite increased funding and new equipment. Some areas were intentionally left longer to support pollinators, but staffing shortages have limited the council’s ability to maintain parks, verges and public spaces. Councillors say contractors and agency staff are being used to fill gaps while recruitment continues, with the grass‑cutting programme still aiming for six full cuts across highway verges this season.

A councillor has proposed creating a permanent Mr and Mrs Gnome statue on Ilkeston’s Gnome Island roundabout to preserve its role as a local cultural landmark. The site became known for the gnome figurines that began appearing in 2014, though many have since been damaged or stolen. The proposal calls for council support, with funding raised by the community. Erewash Borough Council is set to discuss the motion.

A serious collision involving a lorry and motorcycle closed the A1 in both directions between Carlton-on-Trent and Tuxford, with emergency services attending and authorities warning the closure could last several hours. Drivers were urged to avoid the area, and National Highways implemented diversion routes around the affected stretch.

Jane Hough, a long-time cricket scorer from Derbyshire, joined the scoring team for the first Women’s Test match at Lord’s, fulfilling a long-held ambition. She was selected by the England and Wales Cricket Board and worked within a seven-person team during England’s defeat to India. Hough described the experience as historic and intense, reflecting on her path from learning to score for a village team to contributing on an international stage. Derbyshire Cricket Foundation praised her dedication and development within the sport.

Heatwave conditions have forced East Midlands Railway to reduce services, including suspending parts of the Robin Hood Line and limiting Liverpool–Norwich trains to run only between Norwich and Sheffield. Passengers are advised to travel before noon, stay hydrated and take precautions in high temperatures. The operator cites the need for extra checks and maintenance, and is working with Network Rail to monitor conditions and restore normal services.

Police launched a murder investigation after a man in his late 20s was found seriously injured and later pronounced dead on Compton Road in Braunstone, Leicester. A cordon was set up and no arrests have been made. Detectives are analysing CCTV, conducting witness inquiries and awaiting forensic post-mortem results. Authorities appealed for information from the public and reassured residents concerned about the incident.

A new sensory bay has opened in the Children's Emergency Department at Royal Derby Hospital to support young patients who may struggle with overwhelming clinical environments. Funded with £10,000 in donations by the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, the space features adaptable lighting, music, visual projections and sensory toys to reduce anxiety and aid care delivery. Charity leaders and clinicians highlighted its positive reception and its role in broader efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion within children’s emergency care in Derby.

Leicester City Council will close part of Gipsy Lane for up to seven weeks from Sunday to install traffic‑calming measures. The £250,000 scheme includes raised zebra crossings, new speed cushions, wider footpaths and an expanded 20mph zone to address safety concerns near North Mead Primary Academy. Assistant mayor Geoff Whittle said the work is scheduled during school holidays to reduce disruption, and diversions will be in place.

Predator-proof enclosures at Willington Wetlands are nearing completion to support Derbyshire’s first breeding pair of white storks in around six centuries. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, working with Celtic Rewilding, aims to establish a nesting pair that may attract additional storks to settle and breed. The initiative will include monitored soft releases and builds on recent successful species returns at the reserve, including beavers, bitterns and harvest mice.

River levels in Belper remain low after recent maintenance on 18th‑century sluice gates, with Derwent Hydroelectric Power stating flows are currently insufficient to refill the impoundment. The firm continues monitoring conditions with the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water. Local authorities acknowledge the planned work, and water levels will return to normal once rainfall increases upstream.

Ten men were sentenced at Derby Crown Court for operating a major cocaine‑importing and distribution network spanning Chaddesden and Sinfin. Judge Jonathan Straw KC detailed how the organised groups sourced drugs from South America, cooperated through shared supply chains and maintained significant local distribution operations. Key figures included Harninder Purewal, sentenced to 20 years for his senior coordinating role, and group leaders Dominic Hulland and Aaron O'Donnell, who received lengthy prison terms. Several others were jailed for roles ranging from logistics and courier work to safe‑house operations, while three additional defendants await sentencing later in July.

Police in Leicester have confiscated 834 illegally ridden e‑scooters and e‑bikes under Operation Pedalfast, launched in January 2025 to address safety risks in the city centre. Officers highlight growing conflicts between illegal electric vehicles and pedestrians, while city officials endorse the initiative as part of broader anti‑social behaviour measures. The council has supported enforcement with public information campaigns, and the operation is expanding across Leicestershire amid rising national injury costs linked to e‑scooters and modified e‑bikes.

Fire crews in Derbyshire continued battling a wildfire on Tintwistle Moor for a seventh day, focusing on wooded areas to the south while monitoring other parts of the moor. Around 200 hectares have been affected, though progress has been made, with hotspots reduced on the western and eastern flanks. United Utilities supported aerial firefighting with a helicopter, and cooler weather aided efforts. Public access to parts of the Pennine Way remains restricted while operations continue.

An arson investigation has begun after a grass fire broke out at Park Road Recreation Ground in Belper. Fire crews from Belper and Alfreton extinguished the blaze and believe it was deliberately started. Derbyshire Police are treating the incident as arson and have appealed for information from the public.

East Midlands Ambulance Service ended a critical incident triggered by extreme heat after demand eased slightly but continued to operate under its highest escalation level. Staff and partners reduced patient backlogs while warnings from recent record temperatures persisted. The service maintained a focus on life‑threatening cases and urged the public to use alternatives such as NHS 111, pharmacies and urgent treatment centres to preserve ambulance capacity.