LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 28 MAY 2013

Leicestershire Police is again pleased to report that there have been no incidents in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland connected with the murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

There was a search in the Granby Street area of the city centre last night (Monday) after a report that members of the public were carrying a firearm. This is believed to have been an air rifle. Three people were arrested. No members of the public were harmed or threatened.

We are returning patrols to normal levels. This will be the last update connected to the Woolwich incident unless there is a change in the situation.

If you have continuing concerns, or information which can assist, please contact us on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Brendan McGrath
Corporate Communications Department

CENTRE WINS PRAISE FROM EX-LORD MAYOR

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

 

Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Abdul Osman with Sheikh Muhammad Sindi

Centre earns praise from ex-Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor Abdul Osman has praised the city's Islam Information Centre for promoting good relations and inclusion across all religions.

He made his comments after visiting the centre in Highfields Street on one of his final appointments of his year in office.

He was given a presentation and a tour of the centre's facilities which include an Islamic exhibition, a picture gallery, a library and a room solely dedicated to "Women in Islam".

It was established in 2008 to educate people about Islam and its teachings and is open to the public and all faiths.

It regularly plays host to school visits, delegations, community groups, multi-faith organisations and individuals from across the UK wanting to learn more about Islam and Muslims.

Coun Osman said: "In a close-knit community like Leicester, IIC is another shining example of an organisation working for the common good of the city.

"This project is a magnificent beacon of community cohesion and a platform for promoting good relations and inclusion across all religions."

Imam Mohammed, the founder of IIC, said: "We are very happy to have hosted the lord mayor and this is part of our aim to build strong relationships with all parts of the community."

The IIC is a not-for-profit organisation. It is free to the public and opens from Monday to Saturday.

FIRST PERSON: WE MUST "BOX CLEVER" TO BEAT THE EXTREMISTS

Simon Bennett has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

We must "box" clever to beat the extremists

Dr Simon Bennett, an expert in safety and security, examines the aftermath of Lee Rigby's murder

The murder last week of Drummer Lee Rigby shocked all right-minded people, whatever their faith or ethnicity. What impressed me was the country's determination not to be intimidated or demoralized by the misguided act of two disturbed individuals.

The public's response reminded me of a poster issued by the government in 1939: Keep Calm and Carry On. This is always the best response to threats and intimidation. By keeping calm and carrying on we prove terrorism doesn't work.

I'd like to make two comments: First, I believe ethnic, religious and cultural diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

As societies develop, the problems they face become ever-more complex and difficult to solve. Bringing a range of views and experiences to bear on problems improves our chances of solving them.

The Government has put its faith in the Big Society as a means of filling the gaps left by cuts. The social support offered by Britain's mosques, temples and cultural centres is an example of the Big Society in action.

I am old enough to remember Britain in the 1950s - a monochrome and stuff land of skiffle, football and fish and chips. Social diversity has made Britain a more enjoyable place to live.

Secondly,. the way to beat extremists is to "box" clever, by which I mean gather high quality intelligence and act on it in a timely manner in the context of laws that are fit for purpose.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks I wrote to the Prime Minster: I suggested he increase the budget for Britain's security services by one third.

In a 2006 article in Public Services Review, I suggested MI5 put more resources into recruiting members of extremist organisations, whether of the far-right, far-left or faith-based.

Needless to say, the Prime Minister did not respond to my letter. Nevertheless, in the years since 9/11 the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) have put more resources into gathering intelligence organically.

Parachuting operatives into communities is a recipe for failure. Getting those communities to self-monitor is a recipe for success.

Last week, I met with a retired senior Metropolitan Police Service officer: We discussed the case of Mark Kennedy, the policeman who spent too long undercover.

The Kennedy case illustrates the difficulties of undercover work. While the murder of Lee Rigby was shocking we must remember how many plots have been foiled by the police with the support of SIS and the British public.

Intelligence gathering is not glamorous. It's dirty, dangerous and stressful. But it helps keep all of us safe.

Dr Simon Bennett is Director of Civil Safety and Security Unit at the University of Leicester

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 27 MAY 2013

Dear George

We are pleased to be able to say that there continue to be no incidents in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland directly connected to last week’s murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

However, yesterday evening (Sunday May 26) there was an altercation in Bede Park. There had been a football match between white, black and Asian youths, which ended with one person being assaulted. There may have been racist comments made, although we are still trying to confirm this and a thorough investigation is taking place into what happened. Dedicated patrols in and around the park have been put in place today to reassure the community and prevent any further related incidents.

We are also aware of a number of rumours circulating on social media in relation to racially-aggravated assaults and attacks on children by extreme right wing groups. These have no basis in truth. We would ask everyone to ignore these rumours and not to take actions in to their own hands; if you have genuine concerns or information, please contact us on 101.

There will be a further update tomorrow (Tuesday), which is likely to be the last unless the situation changes significantly.

Rob Nixon, Chief Superintendent, Leicester City BCU

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 26 MAY 2013

Dear George Ballentyne,

On the fourth day following the events in Woolwich we are very pleased to tell you that there have been no local incidents which may be related to the tragic death of Drummer Lee Rigby. 

It’s reassuring to report that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remain calm and there has been no significant incident or activity since our last update.  It really is an indication of how strong our community relations are.

You may be aware that there was a gathering in Leicester yesterday by the Clock Tower by approximately fifty people who walked to the memorial at the Town Hall to pay their respects to the fallen soldier. This was a very low key and peaceful event.

Local officers are still working in their neighborhoods across the bank holiday weekend, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance. 

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction locally to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101.

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent

Leicester City BCU Commander

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 25 MAY 2013

Dear George

As a trusted partner we feel it is important to keep you updated this morning with regards to any local incidents which may be related to events in Woolwich.

It’s reassuring to report that, three days after the tragic events in London, the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remain calm and there has been no significant incident or activity since our last update. 

Local officers will continue their work in their neighbourhoods across the bank holiday weekend, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance.   

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction locally to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101. 

It was great to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, to Leicester yesterday and hear him and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, the assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, calling for unity. It seems that the people of Leicester support that message too. 

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent

Leicester City BCU Commander

TEACHERS UNION FEARS MOVE WILL DEPRIVE OTHERS OF FUNDING

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website):

Teachers union fears move will deprive others of funding

by Fiona Dryden, Education Correspondent

News of the new Sikh free school has not been welcomed by union leaders at Leicester's branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Ian Leaver, assistant secretary for Leicester's NUT, said the cash for the school would divert funding away from others in the city and "undermine the local admissions process".

Indy Panesar, spokesman for the Sikh school steering group said: "We value the input from the NUT. However, we are working in partnership with the council.

"This school is about complementing and enhancing existing provision and we are looking forward to becoming a valuable member of the Leicester family of schools."

TEMPLE LEADERS YET TO DECIDE SITE OF NEW SIKH FREE SCHOOL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website):

Temple leaders yet to decide site of new Sikh free school

by Fiona Dryden, Education Correspondent

Sikh leaders in the city have yet to decide where their new free primary school will be.

The Department for Education announced this week that a bid by nine temple leaders in Leicester to create one of the government's new-style schools had been given the go-ahead.

Although it is expected to open in September 2014, a location for the school, to be known as Falcon's Primary, has yet to be confirmed.

The bid was the second to be made by the Sikh school steering group.

A previous application in July last yer was turned down by the Government because it was not deemed strong enough.

Indy Panesar, a spokesman for the group, said: "We're working closely with the department and the city council to find a suitable site."

He said the bid had been well researched and robustly presented to meet the criteria laid out by the department.

Mr Panesar said: "I'd like to praise the team of volunteers who have sacrificed substantial amounts of their precious spare time.

"Leicester's reputation as a beacon of multi-cultural living is well deserved and we trust this new multi-faith proposition will allow all prospective students to fulfil their potential.

"We aim not only for academic success, but also to equip youngsters with the life skills to cope in today's society."

Free schools are set up by charities, parents or teachers outside local authority control, but paid for by the state.

Although Falcon's primary will welcome children from all faiths, half of the places will be preserved for Sikhs and it will serve only vegetarian food.

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, said that it was "heartening" the group was committed to working in partnership with the council and schools across the city in the best interests of all children.

The school could help alleviate some of the shortfall in primary places in the city.

The city council has already pledged £15 million towrds creating extra classrooms at 17 primaries to help meet predicted demand.

The work will create 380 places in Leicester - needed because of a rising birth rate, arrivals to the city and because more residents are expected to choose local schools over those in the county as results ontinue to improve.

Government cash will help fund the cost of creating the new primary. It is not yet known how much this will be.

However, the Department for Education spent £4.5 million buying and developing the city's only other free school, Krishna Avanti, in Spencefield Lane, Evington, on behalf of the Krishna Avanti Trust. The trust contributed £200,000 of its own cash.

ARCHBISHOP & IMAM ISSUE APPEAL FOR UNITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Archbishop and Imam issue appeal for unity

by Dan Martin

The Archbishop of Canterbury today stressed the need for unity among Leicester’s religious communities in the aftermath of the brutal killing of a soldier in a suspected terrorist attack.

The Most Rev Justin Welby, the Church of England’s most senior clergyman, said the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich by two apparent Muslim extremists had “no place in Islam.”

The archbishop spoke about the young soldier’s murder outside the Masjid Umar mosque, in Evington, after rearranging his schedule in a visit to Leicester, planned before Wednesday’s horrific events.He met officials from the mosque, along with the bishops of Woolwich, Bradford and Pontefract as well as Bishop of Leicester Tim Stevens.

he archbishop stood side-by-side with assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain Ibrahim Mogra to address reporters follwing events in the capital.

The archbishop said: “We have all been horrified by the brutal murder of drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich and all of our prayers are with his family, colleagues and comrades, all those who witnessed this crime and members of the community who have been affected by it.

“I want to recognise the response of churches, mosques and other faith and civil society groups, as well as those brave individuals who have done so much to bring our communities together at this time.”

The archbishop, who later signed a book of condolence opened for the murdered 25-year-old at Leicester Cathedral, added: “The strong response from the Muslim Council of Britain and many other organisations have rightly emphasised that these acts have no place in Islam.”

He added: “I think Leicester is a shining example of how communities work together. I am confident because of the very good work Ibrahim (Mogra) has been doing, and we are all doing, that we are in a good position.”

Mr Mogra said: “Muslim communities in Britain are shocked and appalled by the horrific murder in Woolwich.

“The murderers chanted slogans during their heinous crime claiming to do it in God’s name.

“Far from it.

“This is a betrayal of Islam.

“This is a truly barbaric act that has no basis in Islam and we condemn it utterly and unreservedly.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Lee Rigby’s family and friends and especially his two-year-old son.

“Drummer Rigby was a serving member of the armed forces.

“Muslims have long served in this country’s armed forces proudly and with honour.

“This attack on a member of the armed forces is dishonourable and no cause can justify this murder.

“This crime has heightened tensions across the country. The MCB calls on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.

“I am immensely grateful for the leadership of our archbishop during this most difficult time and thank leaders of all our faith communities for your support.

“Your local Muslim communities will welcome your support and I encourage you to knock at the doors of every mosque and offer you neighbourly love.

He added: “There is concern about safety in large sections of Muslim communities who live in mixed areas.

“We hope that the police will ensure law and order is maintained.

“We say to the Muslim community: “Let us continue with our lives as normal.

“If we begin to cower and hide ourselves away then we allow the terrorists win. Life must go on.”

Bishop Tim said: “I hope what is clear is that this terrible incident, from driving a wedge between us will bring us closer together.”

Hundreds of worshippers gathered at the mosque for Friday payers and heard Imam Muhammad Sindhi condemn Wednesday’s tragedy.

He said: “Don’t be extremists. In Islam there is no space for terror or terrorism.

“Islam doesn’t teach, in broad daylight, to go out into the streets of London wielding a butcher’s cleaver and hack someone to death.

“This Stone Age savagery is not the message of Islam.”

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (2,045)

Here are the top ten countries from which the blog has received visits in the past week.

1. United Kingdom 793
2. United States 632
3. France 160
4. Russia 132
5. Germany 125
6. Ukraine 65
7. India 42
8. China 37
9. Mexico 33
10. Canada 26

This week's total: 2,045 (last week: 2,235). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.