County a safe place despite increase in crime deaths
A SENIOR policeman has moved to reassure the public that the county was still a safe place to live and work despite a recent increase in crime-related deaths.
Rob Nixon, assistant chief constable with Leicestershire Police, said all major incidents were being investigated thoroughly.
He said: “When a murder investigation is launched, hundreds of resources are deployed, from specialist officers who support the families of those affected, to forensic investigators, highly-trained search teams and neighbourhood officers.”
Last month a murder investigation was launched after 16-year old Megan Bannister was found dead in the back of a car involved in a colission with a motorbike in Enderby.
Two men from Leicester were since charged with gross negligence manslaughter and are due to appear at Leicester Crown Court later this month.
A woman was also arrested last month on suspicion of concealing the birth of a baby, after human remains were found on a farm in Stoney Stanton.
So far this year there have been 11 murder or manslaughter cases investigated by Leicestershire Police, eight of which involved knives.
Last year there were seven knife fatalities across the county for the whole year.
The chief constable said that each case is reviewed for any trends or links, as the investigation progresses.
He said: “We know that our work to tackle this issue and stop people from carrying weapons is no easy task.
“We will continue to work with the courts to ensure anyone prosecuted for crimes involving weapons face lengthy custodial sentences.”
He added: “Let me reassure you that despite the increase experienced, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remains a safe place to live, visit and work.
“We are actively working with other agencies, but ultimately I need your help to change attitudes and prevent people from carrying knives in the first place.”
If you have any information about people carrying knives or see anything suspicious, you can contact the police on 101.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.