Leicestershire Police Rutland | Oakham and Rutland News

Leicestershire Police Oakham & Rutland News

Leicestershire Police Oakham and Rutland News_edited.png

Oakham Police Station, 15 Station Rd, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6QT

www.leics.police.uk/area/your-area/leicestershire/melton-rutland

https://www.facebook.com/leicspolice

Rutland Police Station is based in Oakham, the office is open from 10am until 4pm

Uppingham Police Tackle Road Safety, Drugs, and Anti-Social Behaviour in Latest Update

Leicestershire Police have released their latest Uppingham police newsletter, detailing a busy month of proactive operations, community engagement, and targeted enforcement driven by local feedback and crime trend analysis.

Road safety has been a major focus following public concerns regarding speeding and a lack of adherence to 30mph zones, alongside complaints about how certain vehicles and motorbikes are being ridden. Throughout September, officers carried out high-visibility patrols across Uppingham and the surrounding area, stopping and checking numerous vehicles. Police actively addressed ongoing issues with motorbikes, issuing words of advice and warnings where riding standards fell below expectations. Enquiries and investigations remain ongoing regarding several matters identified during these proactive checks, and hotspot patrols will continue.

Officers also tackled community concerns surrounding drug use, dealing, and associated anti-social behaviour by maintaining high-visibility patrols throughout the town centre. Additional evening patrols were introduced to provide public reassurance and deter offenders during peak times. Through intelligence-led policing and community information, officers successfully identified individuals suspected of drug-related offenses and took appropriate action.

Anti-social behaviour in the town centre remained a primary priority for the Dedicated Neighbourhood Team in September. PC Stott and PCSO Wylie stepped up high-visibility foot patrols across the town whenever operational commitments allowed. Thanks to crucial information provided by local residents, officers were able to actively address ongoing issues at the Harley-Davidson garage and incidents at Tods Piece. This intelligence led to the identification of those involved, resulting in arrests and subsequent bail conditions while investigations continue.

With darker nights approaching, the newsletter also highlighted essential home security advice under the campaign #LockUpLightUp. Residents are urged to deter burglars by making their homes look occupied through automatic timer switches or smart lighting, checking security systems, and asking trusted neighbors to collect post or adjust curtains. Homeowners are additionally advised to keep valuables and car keys out of sight, avoid sharing holiday details on social media until returning, and report any suspicious behavior or unfamiliar vehicles to the police.

Oakham & Barleythorpe Police Prioritise ASB, Road Safety, and Drug Enforcement in Latest Update

Leicestershire Police have released their latest newsletter for Oakham and Barleythorpe, highlighting local crime trends, dedicated police actions, and community engagement efforts across the region. Guided by local surveys, community consultations, and detailed crime trend analyses, the Dedicated Neighbourhood Team has focused its efforts on three core priorities: anti-social behaviour, road safety, and drug-related offenses.

Responding to community concerns that anti-social behaviour was becoming more frequent in certain areas, the Oakham Beat Team teamed up with the Safer Streets Team, Community Safety Team, and response officers from Melton Mowbray throughout August. Through joint patrols, active engagement with local residents and businesses, and targeted interventions, officers successfully identified and dealt with several perpetrators. During the month, two reports of anti-social behaviour were officially recorded. Police continue to monitor hotspot locations and urge residents to report ongoing issues.

Speeding and a lack of adherence to 30mph zones remain major concerns for residents in Oakham and Barleythorpe. To combat this, the Oakham Beat Team and response officers carried out proactive vehicle stops, targeted patrols, and intelligence-led operations during August. These actions led to several vehicle seizures for offenses including drug-related activity, lack of insurance, and vehicle excise duty (tax) violations, with multiple investigations remaining ongoing. The newsletter noted zero reports under specific road safety metrics for the period.

In response to community reports regarding drug dealing and taking in the area, the Oakham team maintained high-visibility patrols, intelligence-led operations, and proactive policing throughout July. This focused approach resulted in several suspects being identified and arrested for drug offenses, disrupting local criminal networks. Officers also conducted stop-checks at key locations of concern, gathering vital intelligence to support ongoing investigations. A total of five drug-related offenses were recorded during the monthly reporting window.

To maintain strong lines of communication with the public, the local policing team has scheduled a beat surgery on October 11, 2026, from 10:00 AM at Oakham Castle. Residents are invited to attend, meet their neighbourhood team, and raise any community concerns directly with the police.

South Rutland Police Reaffirm Commitment to Tackling Theft, Rural Crime, and Road Safety

Rutland Police have released their latest community update, reaffirming their focus on key local issues for the remainder of the year. Driven by community feedback, survey responses, and crime pattern analysis, the South Rutland beat priorities remain firmly centered on protecting homes, rural areas, and local roads as the evenings grow darker.

Based on direct feedback from residents through Neighbourhood Link and community consultations, police have outlined their ongoing strategy across three main areas. Theft and burglary remain a significant concern for residents, who highlighted commercial burglaries, dwelling breaks, and general theft offenses as major worries. In response, officers are conducting overt patrols in affected areas using crime pattern analysis and local intelligence, alongside robust policing of suspected offenders. Police are also reinforcing safety messages online and providing direct crime prevention advice.

Rural crime is another critical focus, as the theft of agricultural equipment, commercial plant machinery, livestock offenses, and wildlife crime continue to threaten farming communities. Working alongside Community Safety partners and the Rural Policing Team, officers are target-hardening vulnerable rural locations through intelligence-led overt patrols and proactive property security measures. Meanwhile, road safety continues to be a major priority across the county. Speeding remains a primary concern particularly along the A47 corridor alongside traffic management and parking problems on the A606 around Rutland Water and nearby villages. To combat this, officers are maintaining frequent overt patrols with marked vehicles and handheld speed monitoring guns, collaborating with road safety partners, and educating motorists on responsible driving.

With autumn well underway, Rutland Police have also shared a timely reminder regarding darker nights. As daylight hours decrease, officers stress that making it appear as though your home is occupied such as using timer switches for lights is a quick, effective way to deter burglars and protect properties.

Concluding the update, PC McKinnon thanked the community for their ongoing support, noting that the team remains heavily engaged in active crime and anti-social behavior investigations across the region.

Uppingham Steps Up Police and Community Take Action Against Anti-Social Behaviour

Recent reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Uppingham have prompted a swift and collaborative response from local authorities, police, and business owners. Following an incident on Friday evening outside the Harley Davidson garage, community leaders and law enforcement have stepped up their presence to ensure the market town remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

In response to residents' concerns, Leicestershire Police Rutland's Inspector Patterson Bell teamed up with Town Clerk Adam Lowe for a joint walkabout to assess key areas of the town.

To ensure thorough coverage, Inspector Bell followed up by patrolling Uppingham during the early hours of Sunday morning. While the streets were largely quiet with no activity reported near the turret or the Harley Davidson garage the patrol fostered positive community engagement. The Inspector crossed paths with four teenagers stargazing on Tod's Piece, taking the opportunity to have a constructive conversation about the issues young people face in the town. Overall, the late-night patrol reported a quiet atmosphere with nothing of note.

Local businesses are also playing a vital role in curbing ASB and improving public spaces

Following discussions and recent concerns, benches outside the Yamaha motorcycle store have been removed to deter late-night gathering spots.

Store owners have taken the initiative to clean up the surrounding area, restoring tidiness and a welcoming appearance to the streetscape.

These proactive measures highlight the strong partnership between Uppingham’s local businesses, town council, and Leicestershire Police in addressing community concerns quickly and effectively.

Police Launch Investigation After Gatecrashers Disrupt Teenage Party in Manton Rutland

Police in Rutland have launched an investigation following a disruptive evening in the village of Manton, sparked by a teenage birthday party that spiralled out of control due to uninvited gatecrashers.

According to an update shared by PC 2157 Edd McKinnon, the celebration quickly became unmanageable after gatecrashers arrived, leaving groups of youths some heavily intoxicated roaming the village and causing a nuisance for local residents.

PCSO Lyall and PC McKinnon attended the scene to disperse the crowds. Police noted that the overwhelming majority of attendees were respectful and simply trying to arrange transport home, but stressed that a small minority of individuals spoiled the situation for the wider group.

PC McKinnon extended a personal thank you to Manton residents who stepped outside to assist police efforts, acknowledging and validating the community's frustrations during the ordeal.

Local policing teams are now moving forward with a wider investigation and will collaborate with partner agencies to identify anyone suspected of committing offenses. Authorities are urging residents to assist with the ongoing inquiries by reporting any discovered evidence of a crime through standard police channels, quoting incident reference LEP-260926-0726. Additionally, homeowners with CCTV, doorbell camera footage, or mobile phone recordings of the disturbance are encouraged to contact PC McKinnon directly via the force website.

Community Engagement and Visibility Take Center Stage in Latest Rutland Police Updates

Rutland’s dedicated neighbourhood policing team has been out in force recently, balancing lighthearted community policing at local food festivals with targeted action against anti-social behavior and a renewed commitment to rural foot patrols.

Recent updates from officers across the county highlight a strong emphasis on visibility, public interaction, and tackling local concerns head-on.

Officers kicked off the updates with a tongue-in-cheek review of the recent Rutland Food and Drink Festival in Oakham Town Centre. PC 971 Gill reported a peaceful and well-attended event, noting humorously that there were "no instances of ASB near the pizza stand" and "no crime reports to take next to the hotdogs."

Joking aside, the event served as a valuable opportunity for community outreach, allowing officers to chat with residents about local policing priorities. PC Gill also confirmed that increased high-visibility patrols and business visits in the town center are set to continue.

Meanwhile, in Uppingham, PC 4138 Stott reported a busy foot patrol catching up with residents and business owners. Addressing lingering community concerns regarding anti-social behavior and drug-related issues during the evenings, police announced plans for additional high-visibility evening patrols over the coming weeks to reassure locals and deter criminal activity.

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activity or community concerns to help officers direct their resources effectively.

A common question fielded by officers “Why are police walking around our rural villages that see very little crime?”—was answered directly by PCSO Beth.

Emphasising that the force cares deeply about every town and village in the county, PCSO Beth explained that proactive foot patrols are not always a reaction to crime, but rather a vital tool to:

Get to know the local community personally

Provide reassurance to residents

Gather crucial local intelligence

Police urge anyone who spots an officer on patrol to stop, raise any concerns, or simply say hello.

New Face on the Oakham and Barleythorpe Beat
Rutland’s neighbourhood team is also welcoming a familiar face to a new role. PC Gill has transitioned to cover the Oakham and Barleythorpe beat, bringing previous experience from Melton.

The local priorities for this beat focus heavily on three core areas:

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): Working alongside the local authority to tackle neighbour disputes, town centre issues, and excessively loud vehicles.

Drugs: Continuing proactive stop-searches and high-value investigations based on first-hand experience.

Road Safety: Addressing community concerns and working to prevent serious traffic incidents.

PC Gill is encouraging locals to reach out with feedback on how to tackle these specific priorities as they settle into the new beat.

Leicestershire Police Officer Sacked for Contacting Sex Workers to Live Out "Fantasy"

A Leicestershire Police constable has been dismissed without notice following a misconduct hearing that revealed he repeatedly messaged sex workers from his personal phone.

The officer, referred to as Officer A due to anonymity restrictions, was found to have contacted nine phone numbers associated with sex workers listed online between November 2025 and April 2026. Chief Constable David Sandall ruled that the actions constituted gross misconduct, citing the exploitative nature of the texts and the severe risk they posed to public confidence in policing.

Officer A contacted the nine phone numbers within a span of seven days using his personal device. Investigators later recovered text messages, including one instance where he asked to meet a sex worker because he "wanted to see the real thing."

While the messages showed a clear pattern of intent, there was no evidence that the officer ever physically met up with any of the individuals. In one instance, a text recipient even labeled him a "time-waster."

Represented by Ryan Coleman, the officer admitted to sending the messages but argued they did not cross the threshold of gross misconduct. Coleman highlighted that the officer voluntarily handed over his phone, PIN, and offered bank statements to investigators.

Officer A claimed his actions were "pathetic" and pleaded, "I'm not a bad person, I'm not a bad egg. If I had known the guidance, I would have never done so." His defence also pointed to deteriorating mental and physical health, but Chief Constable Sandall ruled this did not provide strong mitigation.

Legal representatives for Leicestershire Police, led by Liz Briggs, emphasised that sex workers represent a potentially vulnerable group, and police officers engaging with them face acute risks of causing harm.

Chief Constable Sandall agreed, noting that the volume and duration of the sexual messages demonstrated a concerning pattern of behavior driven by a personal "fantasy." Because of the potential to undermine public trust and confidence in the force, the decision was made to dismiss Officer A with immediate effect.

"The repeated nature of the texts was exploitative, and the behavior had the clear potential to severely undermine public confidence." Chief Constable David Sandall