An elderly wheelchair bound woman's garden has been attacked by vandals for the second time in three days.

Zubeda Hussein, 76, has been left heartbroken after her front garden in Northfields, Leicester, was trashed in broad daylight on Thursday.

This attack comes just days after the garden was destroyed on Monday afternoon.

The garden after the attack on Monday

Mrs Hussien's daughter Mumtaz Suleman has told how her mother has been left devastated after the two attacks.

Ms Suleman, 56, said: "Mum was heartbroken by the first time the garden was attacked.

"Now it has happened again she is very, very upset about it all."

On Monday the garden was targeted between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

A wooden wishing well was broken, plastic tulips were damaged and uprooted and ornamental lamps smashed.

Ms Suleman, a receptionist at Leicester General Hospital, said she and friend had cleaned the garden up and had the wishing well fixed on Wednesday.

The next day the garden was trashed again, this time between 4 and 5pm on Thursday.

The garden after Thursday's attack

She said: "I can't believe why anyone would do this to us.

"Once is bad enough but twice is cruel beyond belief. My mum is thinking someone has something against us.

"Whoever has carried out these despicable acts of vandalism and criminal damage has done it in broad daylight.

"We live in a cul-de-sac so whoever did this has gone out of their way to do it.

"It will take a long time to save the money to replace the ornaments."

Ms Suleman said the garden was a haven for her mother who suffers ill-health and is paralysed down her right side after a stroke four years ago.

A Leicestershire police spokeswoman said they were investigating both incidents.

She said: "We are aware of two incidents of vandalism in a garden in Northfields.

"We are looking into the matter."

A Leicestershire Police officer is looking forward to taking up a new role – more than 4,700 miles (7,50km) away on the tiny South Atlantic island of St Helena.

Chief Inspector Steve Riley is to be posted to the British territory, which is said to be one of the most isolated spots on the planet, for two years.

He will move there later this month, taking his wife and three children with him.

The island was discovered by the Portuguese more than 500 years ago.

Its population is approximately 4,000 and the capital Jamestown is said to have the character of an English village.

Chief Inspector Riley, who is currently in charge of firearms and public order policing, will join the St Helena Police Service.

He said: "I am really looking forward to living and working on St Helena.

"While I bring certain skills and experience from the UK which I hope to pass on to my colleagues in the St Helena Police Service, I also hope and expect to learn from officers whilst I am on St Helena, in what is a unique policing environment."

Chief Constable Simon Cole bids farewell to Chief Insp Riley.

St Helena's Chief of Police Trevor Botting said: "Chief Insp Riley is an experienced police officer and brings a broad policing background to his role on St Helena.

"He will be responsible for operations, for which he is very well qualified, along with his responsibilities for neighbourhood policing. Chief Insp Riley will also be leading on the succession and development plans to prepare and staff for leadership roles within the police service."

Chief Insp Riley joined Leicestershire Police in 1998 and was a response officer in Loughborough before moving to the city in 2003, when he was promoted to sergeant.

In 2010, he was promoted to inspector and was in charge at the city's Keyham Lane police station.

Three years later, he was promoted to chief inspector with responsibility for public order and tactical firearms. He was also in charge of 999 response teams.

More than 2,000 children in Leicester and Leicestershire were reported to be at risk of abuse or neglect last year.

A report issued by the Department for Education showed 1,256 children in the city and 856 in the county were thought to be in danger.

Each case was investigated by specialists from the city or county councils to establish the accuracy of the reports and to assess what needed to be done to protect the children from harm.

Both councils have urged people to report concerns immediately.

Councillor Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor for children and schools, said: "Keeping children safe is a priority for us and we would encourage anyone who has any concerns about a child's welfare to contact us.

"I'd also encourage families to seek help through one of our children's centres or local school if things are getting tough,

"There is a lot of support available through the council and the fantastic voluntary organisations in the city.

"We would far rather get involved at the earliest stage when a family is struggling to cope than get to the point where a child is neglected."

Councillor Ivan Ould, the county council's cabinet member for children and families, said people should call the authority's First Response Team to report a concern.

He said: "The abuse or neglect of children is unacceptable and we work closely with families to provide help at an early stage, preventing problems growing, and enabling families to stay together.

"Anyone who thinks a child is at significant risk of being neglected, physically abused or sexually abused should contact the First Response team."

An NSPCC spokesman said: "These worrying figures show the sheer scale of the challenge facing authorities as they strive to keep children safe.

"Greater awareness of issues such as abuse and neglect is likely to be a major factor in the increase, as more people come forward with concerns following a number of high profile cases.

"But behind each of these statistics is a child in need of help.

"It is vital that anyone who is worried about a child speaks out, and lets them get the help they need."

Call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

The county council's First Response Team can be contacted on 0116 305 0005 and the city council's children and young people's service is on 116 454 1004.

The parents of a teenage Leicester City fan who was killed by a hit and run driver on Sunday today paid tribute to a "perfect son, grandson and friend".

Samuel Garner, 17, of Hamilton, Leicester was crossing Welford Road, outside Leicester Prison, with a group of friends when he was knocked down and killed by a stolen black BMW 5.

Samuel had spent the afternoon watching Leicester City's battling draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford before he headed into the city centre to celebrate a friend's 18th birthday.

He was due to turn 18 himself tomorrow.

His parents, Scott and Tracie Garner urged anyone with information about the driver to contact police immediately.

They said: "Samuel was the perfect son, grandson and friend.

"He was thoughtful, loving and had a great sense of humour.

"He was due to turn 18 tomorrow and we were going to fly out to Prague this morning to celebrate.

"He loved watching wrestling and had achieved his second degree black belt in Taekwondo.

"He spent Sunday afternoon with his family watching the Leicester City match before heading into the city centre, wearing his white LCFC football shirt, with some friends to celebrate a friend's birthday.

"He was looking forward to going to a nightclub for the first time and was a typical teenager who loved all sorts of music.

"His paternal grandparents, Glenn and Paula, had bought him tickets to see Kasabian at the King Power Stadium for his 18th birthday and he was due to start an apprenticeship next week.

"He was our world and will always be in our hearts.

"Help the police find who was responsible.

"If you've heard any rumours about who the driver was please come forward."

The collision occurred just after 11pm on Sunday. The car did not stop and was last seen driving off towards Almond Road.

Samuel was pronounced dead at the scene. A teenage girl sustained minor injuries.

The BMW had been stolen from the Blaby area on Friday and was found burned-out in College Road, Whetstone around 3.45am yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Mark Partridge, from East Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We are in the process of gathering as much information as possible about the collision and the events leading up to it.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the BMW prior to the collision.

"Did you see it driving around the city centre or have you heard any rumours about who the driver or the occupants are?

"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us find those responsible."

Contact Detective Constable Paul Bingham on 101, quoting incident 727 of 1 May.

The family of Colin Pitchfork's first victim has made a direct plea to Justice Secretary Michael Gove to order the killer remain locked up for life.

A parole board, having considered Pitchfork's state of mind, decided last week that it would be safe to move him to an open prison – paving the way to his eventual release.

However, the final decision on whether he should be transferred to a lower security regime rests with Mr Gove.

Pitchfork raped and murdered Lynda Mann, 15, in Narborough in 1983.

Three years later he murdered Dawn Ashworth, also 15, in a similarly brutal fashion.

Lynda's family has written to Mr Gove to implore him to order that Pitchfork should remain in prison for the rest of his life.

More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition created by the family to call for his release to be blocked. A further 7,000 people have signed a paper version.

Find the petition here.

Police searching for clues after Lynda's death.

Lynda's sister, Rebecca, 34, said: "We hope to present the letter to Michael Gove by hand, but we're still working on that.

"We've put it out on Facebook and asked as many people as possible to share it, so Mr Gove knows this isn't just about us as a family.

"There's also the petition, which has been signed by 27,000 people."

Pitchfork became eligible for parole in January this year after reaching the 28-year point of his sentence – the minimum tariff set by an appeal court in 2009.

That hearing, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, heard that Pitchfork had made "exceptional progress".

Lawyers acting for him also said he had translated sheet music into braille for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and had also become a talented artist.

Read more:'As long as I have breath in my body, I will fight to keep my daughter's killer in prison'

Pitchfork became eligible for parole after serving 28 years

An open letter to Michael Gove MP and the Ministry of Justice:

We are writing an open letter to you as you have failed to respond to previous contact regarding the parole hearing and concerns we have of Colin Pitchfork being considered for parole.

By now the paperwork from the parole board has probably winged its way to your office and surprisingly they have recommended him for release to open conditions.

We are very surprised and concerned they have come to this conclusion.

This is not an individual who steals to feed his family, who can be rehabilitated by educating and given him a decent income.

This is a man with a dangerous obsession for raping and killing teenage girls. I implore you to read the original court transcripts of how depraved this man actually is.

Lynda was murdered in 1983.

The judge sentencing him was in no doubt he would ever be released.

To this day he is still Leicestershire Police's biggest manhunt, costing tax payers millions of pounds actively avoiding justice by getting someone else to take the DNA test for him.

He actually tried to abduct and no doubt rape and murder a third girl but she happened to escape.

This was not used in court and he never faced charges or was tried for it. Had he done so no doubt he would never be considered for release.

He has served only 28 years for the two girls' murders - that is 14 years per girl, one year less than they lived on this planet.

He had two years knocked off for the work he has done for the RNIB, however they have since distanced themselves from him as they were unaware of his convictions.

Pitchfork murdered Dawn in 1986.

He also had a paper model on display at the Royal Albert Hall which was hastily removed once they were aware of his convictions.

He has supposedly helped fellow inmates. I'm pretty certain they too are unaware of his convictions.

We currently have a petition with 27,000 signatures asking that this man never be released.

Some of those signatures are from the original investigating team who are quite frankly flabbergasted that he is even being considered for parole.

As I wrote earlier the judge jailing him was convinced he'd never be released. The public are totally dumbfounded as to why he is being considered for parole.

We will be coming to present you with this petition with TV news.

We implore you to carefully consider your decision to move him to open conditions as he has never been put in a position since his incarceration where he has the temptation to re-offend.

We implore you to read the original court transcripts of how depraved his actions were.

We implore you to consider how calculating he has shown himself to be by openly evading capture.

We feel he is playing the system to gain freedom and will always be a danger to young girls.

We beg of you to never let a family go through what we have had to by releasing this cold, calculating, dangerous individual into society.

We have been given life sentences and are terrified at the prospect of bumping into him on the street. Even more terrified of the prospect he will re-offend.

Yours,

The family of Lynda Mann

Detectives have made a renewed appeal for help tracing a hit-and-run driver who killed a teenage boy.

Police want to trace the driver of a stolen dark coloured BMW 5 series who knocked down and killed Samuel Garner, 17, in Welford Road, Leicester at 11pm on Sunday.

Samuel, of Hamilton, was crossing the road near Leicester Prison with friends at the time.

The BMW had been stolen from the Blaby area the previous Friday and was found burned-out in College Road, Whetstone at 3.45am on Monday, Leicestershire Police said.

Detective Sergeant Mark Partridge said: "We've had a number of calls from the public in response to our appeals and would like to thank those who have contacted us.

"Our inquiries are very much ongoing and we would continue to urge people to contact us if they can help with any aspect of the investigation.

"We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the black BMW between 11pm on Sunday and 3.45am on Monday, when it was found burnt-out in Whetstone.

"It was being driven on false plates with the registration number YW08 LLV.

"We know that immediately before the collision the BMW was being driven along Humberstone Gate, past Sainsbury's, then along Charles Street, Rutland Street and Belvoir Street.

"Were you in this area on Sunday evening, either on foot or travelling in a vehicle?

"If you were travelling in the area and have a Dashcam in your vehicle then please have a look at the footage and contact us if you captured anything that may assist with our investigation.

"Someone in the community must know who is responsible for this incident, a family has been left devastated by the loss of their teenage son, please search your conscience and come forward.

"If you've heard any rumours about who the driver or the occupants are then we need to speak to you. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us find those responsible."

Samuel's parents Scott and Tracie paid tribute to their son this week, saying: "Samuel was the perfect son, grandson and friend.

"He was thoughtful, loving and had a great sense of humour.

"He would have been turning 18 and we were due to fly out to Prague to celebrate.

"He loved watching wrestling and had achieved his second degree black belt in Taekwondo.

"He spent Sunday afternoon with his family watching the Leicester City match before heading into the city centre, wearing his white LCFC football shirt, with some friends to celebrate a friend's birthday.

"He was looking forward to going to a nightclub for the first time and was a typical teenager who loved all sorts of music.

"His paternal grandparents, Glenn and Paula, had bought him tickets to see Kasabian at the King Power Stadium for his 18th birthday and he was due to start an apprenticeship next week.

"He was our world and will always be in our hearts. Help the police find who was responsible.

"If you've heard any rumours about who the driver was please come forward."

Contact 101, quoting incident 727 of 1 May.

Police have appealed for witnesses to a crash last night in which a motor scooter rider was killed.

Officers believe the 23-year-old rider may have fallen off his Vespa after hitting an animal and was then struck by a car.

The incident happened on the B676 Melton Road, near Six Hills, at 11.30pm.

The driver of a Mazda 3 was arrested and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

In a statement today, Leicestershire Police said: "From inquiries conducted so far, it is believed that the rider of the scooter had collided with an animal which caused him to come off his vehicle before he was struck by the car.

"He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Detective Sergeant Mark Watling is appealing to anyone who saw the collision or either of the vehicles being driven beforehand.

"If you have any information and have not already spoken to police we would like to hear from you."

Contact Det Sgt Watling on 101, quoting 847 of May 3.

Voters go to the polls to elect a police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the city and counties today.

There are four candidates, representing the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and UKIP.

Here, the hopefuls explain why they think they should get your vote.

Neil Bannister - Conservative

"It has been a great privilege to be a candidate and visit so many people and places in this great city of Leicester and the great counties of Leicestershire and Rutland.

"We have a successful and diverse population and I look forward to continuing my dialogue with all communities as your police and crime commissioner (PCC) to make sure your voice is heard in setting the strategic priorities for policing.

"I believe that my many years of experience with the Crown Prosecution Service as a district crown prosecutor and crown advocate has given me the skills to do the job.

"As a lawyer, I need to be independent, objective, fair and sometimes firm.

"Qualities I would hope you would wish to see in an effective PCC.

"My overriding priority is to have a visible and efficient police force dedicated to making us all safer.

"There is good news to share about our police service – crime has been falling steadily over the past 10 years, the public's confidence levels in the police remain high and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary rates the police force as good.

"Yes, the financial challenges of the past few years have been tough – no thanks to the last Labour Government for leaving the country bankrupt in 2010.

"But now the economy is being repaired and we have the promise of a protected police budget until 2020. Investment can now be made in additional officers and technology.

"I want to set a strategy for fighting rural crime, fighting hate crime and domestic violence.

"I will look ahead to continue the work of joining the Strategic Alliance to combine services, obtain value for your money so that investment can take place in maintaining the critically important neighbourhood policing that all of us wish to see.

"I am keeping an open mind on bringing in the fire and rescue services within the remit of the office of the PCC.

"Again, it may be best to share back office departments and buildings to protect frontline services.

"I look forward to having open and transparent discussions with all interested partners as we explore these options. Any decisions that are made will always be done on what is best for the residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

"I will be supporting local authorities, charities and community groups in funding projects to prevent the vulnerable from falling into crime and to help those that have offended from re-offending.

"I will be giving victims of crime a greater voice and much-needed support.

"I want you to give me the chance to make a difference for you."

Willy Bach - Labour

"I believe I have the knowledge and experience to do the job of Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Why?

"I have lived in the city and county for over 40 years, and been a councillor in both.

I worked as a criminal law barrister in Leicester for 25 years and have in recent years been a Government Minister in the criminal justice area and acted as Shadow Attorney General.

"My priorities are clear and easily understood.

"First, I would insist that there were more police on the streets and in the neighbourhoods. My campaign slogan is "Bach on the Beat".

"It is not Leicestershire Police's fault they have lost 20 per cent – 413 – of their police officers in the last six years. The blame lies fairly and squarely with the Government who chose to cut a massive 18 per cent from our police budgets.

"People tell me that are feeling less secure and protected because of the lack of visibility of officers in their communities. We have to act now because the danger is that the police and the public lose that connection which should be at the heart of British policing.

"Too many crimes are "hidden". Many victims of domestic abuse and hate crime don't feel confident enough to report the offending to the police. Too many perpetrators get away with it.

"Although the police have made great strides in this area over the last 20 years, we still need to go further. Victims of these crimes are entitled to the law's protection just as much as other victims of crime. This is my second priority.

"The job of the PCC is to be the public's voice with the police.

"To do that well, the PCC must be in touch with all the diverse communities that live in the police force area.

"My third priority is to listen and take on board the views of all. No-one must be excluded, either deliberately or accidentally.

"I will support Neighbourhood Watch. In my commissioning work, I will carry on the excellent work being done on child sexual exploitation, and continue Sir Clive Loader's youth initiative.

"Finally, I am opposed to giving the PCC responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service. My fear is that every time the Government forces cuts, it will be the highly popular but smaller Fire and Rescue Service that will lose out.

"Recently, we almost lost major parts of our fire service. Having won that battle, we must not risk losing the war."

Sarah Hill - Liberal Democrat

"The Liberal Democrats don't agree with Police and Crime Commissioners.

"The party believes the post should be scrapped. Unfortunately, that's not possible, but I can give Leicestershire people a chance to elect an independent-minded candidate, who won't be bossed around by party leadership.

"People I've spoken to over the last few weeks are really supportive of the great work being done by the police, but I've also heard many people say they don't see the police as much as they used to. Tory cuts to police numbers mean they now focus on the most serious crimes, leaving less time to patrol locally.

"People rightly expect the police to respond to all crime reported to them. Vandalism, graffiti, speeding traffic and inconsiderate parking can make people's lives a misery. I want to make sure the police give these crimes appropriate attention, too.

"A number of people told me they didn't even report a crime, sometimes because they felt the system of reporting too difficult and slow. This means the authorities often don't have an accurate picture of the problems people face.

"I'd like to bring in a policing app for mobile phones which makes crime reporting easier, allowing people to submit pictures and information directly to the police, giving them the information they need to address problems.

"This could also be used to give people feedback on what is they have submitted in an efficient way.

"I've also come across a number of people who want to help the police to keep their neighbourhood safe, but it's not made easy for them. I think we have an opportunity to reinvigorate neighbourhood watch.

"By getting volunteers trained and organised they can be visible and collect vital intelligence which the police can use to prosecute criminals.

"They could also serve as a contact point for their community, giving people someone to report their problems to, and they could also help keep a lookout for isolated and vulnerable people.

"What drove me to stand for this election is a feeling that as voters we are being taken for granted.

"Police budgets have been cut locally by more than 20 per cent, yet the Police and Crime Commissioner office stills costs taxpayers a staggering £1 million a year, much of which could be better spent on frontline policing.

"But it doesn't have be this way. You have an opportunity to shake up the status quo and demand someone who takes your views seriously.

"That's why I'm asking for your support. It's an important election, don't ignore it."

David Sprason - UKIP

"Leicestershire residents quite rightly place their trust in the police force.

"It is the most visible and expected responsive point of contact to whom the public turns when it sees, or regretfully experiences, a crime – be it anti-social behaviour, burglary, fraud, sexual or other form of personal attack.

"Taxpayers also rightly expect their police force to allocate their resources, including finance, to the most pressing needs of communities, ensuring that all are protected from crime, however it might manifest itself, whilst addressing the new challenges and responsibilities set by the Home Secretary.

"In many instances community support and involvement in crime resolution is now a pivotal part of the overall policing resource. This is to be actively encouraged but should not become the default position or be undermined by aspects of questionable crime reporting, thereby lowering public trust in policing and police force accountability.

"It is these three areas that will become the lynchpin should you elect me as your PCC; my 100 per cent commitment to the role will ensure the necessary accountability at all levels of policing, its operational focus and delivery, its management and record on financial performance.

"It is important to me to establish an efficient and transparent Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) office with tight budgets and the appropriate use of public funds. To have a response policy to react promptly to community concerns and put major effort into public meetings and briefings with the community.

"To ensure that the public have every opportunity to engage with the PCC and raise issues relating to policing. To deliver on integrating the efforts of local community and voluntary teams into an overall crime reduction plan particularly with the youth and elderly.

"To make sure the Chief Constable and his police team are held to account in terms of policing policy and delivery of the Police and Crime Plan with regular performance updates released into the public domain.

"To constantly assess the local police budget to ensure the right balance between front line police officers, PCSOs, rural responses, the use of specialist units (in the event of terrorism or a major emergency) and volunteers and civilian staff.

"I will pledge to uphold a 100 per cent commitment to openness and transparency within the PCC office and across the policing structure. I will deliver a strategy in regard to cooperation and inter-operation with other forces, special teams and relevant agencies that have expertise in the areas of evolving crime.

"Only by delivering on my pledges will I be able to claim the mantle as being the link between the public and your police force."

HOW THE ELECTION WILL WORK

The system to be used in the PCC election will be the supplementary vote rather than the familiar "first past the post" method used in general elections and normally in council polls.

Voters are asked to choose a first and second preference in columns on their ballot papers.

First preferences will be counted and if a candidate received more than 50 per cent of votes he or she will be elected.

If nobody wins more than 50 per cent the third and forth place candidates will be eliminated.

Then the ballot papers showing a first preference for the eliminated candidates will be checked for their second preferences.

Second preference votes will be added to the remaining candidates' first preferences and whoever has the most wins.

In 2012, Sir Clive got 48 per cent of the first preference votes and was elected, over Labour's Sarah Russell, by 64,661 votes to 51,835 after second preferences were counted.

Polling cards have been dropping into letterboxes in recent weeks but there have been concerns turnout on May 5 could still be low.

In 2012, just 16.36 per cent of eligible voters turned out in Leicestershire's first PCC election.

In North West Leicestershire, 87 per cent of eligible voters did not cast a ballot.

Polling stations open across the voting area at 7am on May 5 and close at 10pm.

Some councils will begin verifying ballot papers immediately, while others will wait until the following morning.

North West Leicestershire District Council is overseeing the election and will begin the count at the Hermitage leisure centre, in Whitwick, at 1pm on Friday, May 6.

The result is anticipated late on the Friday afternoon.

Police have urged councillors to reject a plan to open a 24-hour function room in Leicester city centre because they fear it will add to existing late-night rowdiness.

Businessman Ashik Madlani hopes to convert a disused shop in Gravel Street – opposite St Margaret's Bus Station – into a venue for functions.

His application for around-the-clock opening will be considered by a panel of councillors at City Hall, Charles Street, next week.

However, police are opposing the proposal on the grounds of the existing number of licensed premises, including two major nightclubs, in the area.

The city council's "cumulative impact zones" policy caps the number of licensed premises in areas of the city, including the city centre, Belgrave and Braunstone Gate and Narborough Road.

Leicestershire's outgoing police and crime commissioner Sir Clive Loader said last month forces were being stretched to the limit by extended licensing hours.

Sir Clive is to be replaced in the role following the election taking place today.

Pc Jon Webb, city police's licensing officer, has written to the city council to ask councillors to refuse the application.

In his submission to the council, he said: "The proposed venue is located between two of the city's largest clubs which have a combined capacity of more than 3,500.

"The footfall is further increased by the capacity at licensed venues in the immediate area – in excess of another 1,500 people.

"The Gravel Street, Church Gate, Abbey Street area suffers on a weekly basis from incidents related to the night-time economy.

"Many of these incidents are translated into reported crimes and are incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence.

"The applicant has stated in his application he wishes to run a function suite, but has requested the premises is licensed for 24 hours.

"It is the police view that granting this application will add to the existing late-night problems in the city centre by increasing the capacity of licensed premises within the cumulative impact zone."

In his application, Mr Madlani says his staff would be trained to be "vigilant" to prevent trouble breaking out.

He added that anyone carrying drugs or weapons would be reported to the police.

His venue would be covered by CCTV and door staff, while people working behind the bar would ask anyone who appeared to be under 21 to produce identification before being allowed to buy alcohol.

The hearing is due to take place at City Hall at 9.30am next Wednesday.

The parents of a teenage boy killed by a hit-and-run driver have made a direct appeal to the driver to come forward.

Scott and Tracie Garner spoke today as the police search for the killer continued.

The couple's only son, 17-year-old Samuel, was knocked down and killed by a stolen dark coloured BMW 5 series in Welford Road, Leicester, on Sunday night.

Samuel and his family had earlier in the day watched his beloved Leicester City battle to a draw against Manchester United on television.

The former Wreake Valley Academy student then went out into Leicester to celebrate a friend's 18th birthday.

Samuel himself would have turned 18 on Tuesday and was due to travel Prague with his family before starting a new job later this month.

A friend has set up an appeal on the Just Giving website to collect £10,000 to pay for Samuel's funeral and to be offered as a reward. The site can be found here.

Speaking at Leicestershire Police HQ in Enderby today his parents, who live in Hamilton, Leicester, spoke movingly about their son.

Scott said: "The first thing to say is he was much loved by everyone, his extended family and his friends - more friends than we even know about, we've found out since.

"He was really looking forward to going to Prague. I don't think he'd been on a plane since he was four years old.

"He was also looking forward to going out next week to a nightclub for his first beer and a dance around.

"And the Monday after that he was starting his new job.

Samuel would have celebrated his 18th birthday this week.

"He was really funny and made us laugh all the time. He used to take the mick out of me.

"We could sit here all day and talk about him. We've been talking about him non-stop.

Read more:Vespa scooter rider, 23, killed in road tragedy

"If anyone saw what happened then please come forward and let the authorities know.

"Even if it seems insignificant, just go ahead and tell them anyway.

"If you don't and these people are not caught you will always regret it.

"To the person who was driving the car and the others in the car, please try to find some compassion and do the right thing.

"You will also regret it forever if you don't come forward."

Read more: New appeal in hunt for driver who killed Samuel Garner, 17

Leicestershire Police said the investigation was continuing.

Detectives said the car had been stolen on Friday in the Blaby area and was found five hours after the tragedy on Sunday night, burned out in Whetstone. After being stolen it had a fake registration number - YW08 LLV - put on it.

Officers believe it was in the city centre immediately prior to the crash and have urged people who may have seen it in Humberstone Gate, Charles Street, Belvoir Street or Rutland Street to contact them immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Mark Partridge at Leicestershire Police on 101.

A Leicester Mercury survey has indicated eight out of 10 people will not be voting in today's police and crime commissioner election.

We spoke to 100 randomly selected people in Leicester city centre to ask it they had or would be casting a ballot.

Only 13 said they had already voted, or intended to, before polling stations shut their doors at 10pm tonight.

There were four who said they had not yet decided if they would vote, while 83 said they would not be participating in the election.

The turn-out at the last police and crime commissioner election in 2012, when Conservative Sir Clive Loader won the inaugural contest, was just 16.34 per cent.

Another low turn-out is anticipated when the result is announced tomorrow afternoon.

It is likely the eventual winner – from Tory candidate Neil Bannister, Labour's Willy Bach, Lib Dem Sarah Hill or UKIP's David Sprason – will be elected to succeed Sir Clive with a low mandate.

However, yesterday's weather was fine, which is normally considered to boost turn-out.

The count will take place at the Hermitage leisure centre, in Whitwick, under the supervision of North West Leicestershire District Council, which has overseen the election.

Of the people who told the Mercury they would not be voting, a handful said they did not even know an election was taking place.

Most said they felt they could not make an informed decision because they had not received information from the parties about their candidates or because they believed there had not been enough information about the campaign in local press and radio or national media.

The Mercury has published numerous articles on the campaign and the candidates in the last few months and it has been covered in detail by BBC Radio Leicester.

A small proportion of the non-voters said they were opting out because they disagreed with the establishment of the post and having a politician in charge of the police force.

Others said the PCC election had been overshadowed by the impending European Union referendum and that they might have voted if there were other local elections scheduled to take place at the same time.

Leicestershire's chief constable Simon Cole has thanked retiring police and crime commissioner Sir Clive Loader for his 'massive commitment' to the role.

Conservative Sir Clive, who was elected the county's first commissioner in 2012, is stepping down from the post.

Mr Cole, in a video blog published this afternoon said: "I would like to say publicly a huge thank you to Sir Clive Loader who has had what is a really difficult job of being the first police and crime commissioner in a landscape where the role hasn't been overly publicised and he and his team have had to work really hard.

"Thank you for your massive commitment in being the first police and crime commissioner.

"It's hugely important."

Polling stations remain open until 10pm tonight.

The result of the election will be known tomorrow afternoon when either Tory Neil Bannister, Labour's Willy Bach, Lib Dem Sarah Hill or UKIP's David Sprason will be declared the victor.

The winner will take over from Sir Clive at midnight on May 12.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the hit and run crash which killed Samuel Garner.

The man was being questioned today as detectives released CCTV images of the car in the moments leading to Sunday night's tragedy in Welford Road, Leicester.

The three images show the car in Rutland Street and Belvoir Street shortly after 11pm and on its way to the scene of the tragedy in Welford Road.

Approximately a minute later Samuel, 17, was knocked down and killed as he crossed the road near Leicester Prison.

Detective Inspector David Swift-Rollinson said: "This was a horrific incident which has robbed a young boy of his life and devastated his family.

The car, ringed, in Rutland Street

"He had a promising future ahead of him and his life was tragically cut short.

"This CCTV shows the vehicle moments before the incident took place and as you can see there were lots of people in the area both walking and driving.

"It may be that some of them saw something that could help our inquiry.

"We hope that by releasing these pictures it will jog someone's memory and prompt them to come forward and tell us what they know.

Moments later, it was in Belvoir Street

"If you have heard what happened or know who may be involved, please call us and let us know where they are.

"You may think the information you have isn't important and won't help – but come forward and speak to us.

"What you know could really help."

Samuel and his family had earlier in the day watched the City v Manchester United match on television.

He later went out into the city to celebrate a friend's 18th birthday.

He was to turn 18 himself two days later and was due to travel Prague with his family before starting a new job later this month.

It moved along Belvoir Street, heading for Welford Road.

Up to 40 bunches of flowers have been placed at the scene and a number of messages of condolence written in chalk on the pavement.

Speaking at Leicestershire Police HQ in Enderby yesterday, Samuel's parents Scott and Tracie, who live in Hamilton, Leicester, appealed directly to the driver to surrender to police.

Scott said: "To the person who was driving the car and the others in the car, please try to find some compassion and do the right thing.

"You will regret it forever if you don't come forward."

Leicestershire Police said the dark coloured car had been stolen on Friday in the Blaby area and was found five hours after the tragedy, burned out in Whetstone.

After being stolen it had a fake registration number – YW08 LLV – put on it.

Information can also be passed to police anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Labour's Willy Bach has stunned the Conservatives by winning the Leicestershire police and crime commissioner election by nearly 20,000 votes.

The Labour peer triumphed over Tory rival Neil Bannister.

The Conservatives had held the post going into Thursday's poll and, with incumbent Sir Clive Loader stepping down, had hoped for success.

However, a storming performance in Leicester, where the Labour peer secured 30,000 more votes than his Tory rival, tipped the balance.

Under the supplementary vote system used in the election, neither Lord Bach nor Mr Bannister achieved the 50 per cent of the votes needed to win on first preference ballots cast.

But after Lib Dem candidate Sarah Hill and UKIP's David Sprason were eliminated and their first preference voters' second choices were counted, Lord Bach's victory was confirmed with a huge 19,883 majority.

Lord Bach, a former shadow attorney general, ultimately secured 78,188 votes to Mr Bannister's 58,305.

He said: "I am delighted. This week began with my beloved football team winning the Premier League, and ended with me being elected to this post.

"It has been very special.

"There won't be many weeks like this."

He praised predecessor Sir Clive Loader for his distinguished service to the people of Leicestershire and Rutland, and his rivals.

Lord Bach said his tenure would focus on neighbourhood policing, which he said was "the glue that connects the police and the community", and tackling domestic violence.

After his defeat was announced, Mr Bannister said: "I am clearly disappointed, but I congratulate Willy.

"I want to say all the candidates have fought good, civil, respectful campaigns.

"This is democracy in action and I completely respect the voice of the voters."

Mr Bannister, who quit his job as a senior Crown Prosecution Service lawyer to focus on campaigning, said he would be re-applying for his old post.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who attended the count at Whitwick's Hermitage Leisure Centre, to support Lord Bach, said: "Willy is a true Leicestershire commissioner and has served this county his whole life.

"And he's won a seat, which I tell you, in some of gloom we have had recently is a real achievement.

"In a week where the Blues did very well, this is one little red rose."

Sir Clive said he was not disappointed Labour had won.

He said: "The democratic voice has spoken.

"He may have some different priorities to me butI have every reason to believe Willy will be a fine PCC."

Turn-out in the election was however disappointingly low with just 20.25 per cent of voters casting a ballot.

Leicester City fans have been urged to get to their feet in memory of hit and run victim Samuel Garner in the 17th minute of tomorrow's match at the King Power Stadium.

Samuel, 17, was knocked down and killed by a stolen car in Welford Road on Sunday night. He was a massive City supporter.

City fan and football blogger Phillip Holloway - tweeting as @100%LFC - circulated a message on social media and on his online City fanzine today to encourage fans to remember Samuel, of Hamilton, during the Everton match, which kicks off at 5.30pm.

He said: "We suggest in the 17th minute to mark his memory, not a minute's applause – as it is now impossible to hear due to the incredible noise in the KP.

"100%LCFC Suggests that in the 17th minute we ask all fans to join us by standing up , unfolding your clapper and holding the Leicester city badge in the air.

"It will look fantastic.

"And we could all simply sing "Leicester, Leicester, Leicester."

His original message has been retweeted a number of times.

Read more: Man arrested as police issue CCTV of car in Samuel Garner hit and run tragedy

Samuel watched City battle to a draw at Old Trafford on the day of the tragedy.

Samuel and his family had earlier in the day watched the City v Manchester United match on television.

He later went out into the city to celebrate a friend's 18th birthday.

He was to turn 18 himself two days later and was due to travel Prague with his family before starting a new job later this month.

Up to 40 bunches of flowers have been placed at the scene and a number of messages of condolence written in chalk on the pavement.

Speaking at Leicestershire Police HQ in Enderby on Thursday Samuel's parents Scott and Tracie, who live in Hamilton, Leicester, appealed directly to the driver to surrender to police.

Today, detectives released CCTV images of the car in the city centre just moments before it hit Samuel in Welford Road, near Leicester Prison.

Detective Inspector David Swift-Rollinson said: "This was a horrific incident which has robbed a young boy of his life and devastated his family.

"He had a promising future ahead of him and his life was tragically cut short."

A man has been taken to hospital after he was found injured in a city centre street this morning.

There were unconfirmed reports locally the 31-year-old had been shot.

He was found injured in King Street, off Belvoir Street shortly after 6am.

It was unclear this evening whether the incident was related to last night's celebrations after Leicester City lifted the Premier League trophy.

A short stretch of King Street between New Walk and a bar called Sub8ten, was cordoned off from this morning into the evening.

Officers could be seen carrying out an inch-by-inch examination of the road surface, which was littered with broken glass.

An officer taping off the area.

A number of officers were coming and going from the bar, which was formerly called Sophbeck Sessions.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Officers attended and a 31-year-old man was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.

"A scene preservation is in place in King Street at the corner of New Walk as officers carry out their investigation.

"Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are in the very early stages..

"The injured man is in a stable condition.

"It is too early in the process to be able to confirm the nature of his injuries."

A man who was found seriously injured in Leicester city centre this morning had been shot, police confirmed tonight.

The 31-year-old was injured during a confrontation with a group of men in King Street, off Belvoir Street, shortly after 6am, Leicestershire Police said.

Police said a firearm was found at the scene and that the man had been taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

His injuries are serious but not life-threatening, the force said.

Earlier today, the Leicester Mercury reported that a section of King Street had been sealed off since early morning.

Rumours were circulating then that police were investigating a shooting.

Police were conducting a fingertip search of the road surface, which was strewn with broken glass.

It was unclear this evening whether the incident was related to last night's celebrations after Leicester City lifted the Premier League trophy.

A bar called Sub8ten, formerly Sophbeck Sessions, was within the small police cordon. Officers were seen coming and going from the venue throughout the afternoon.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said tonight: "Officers attended the location at around 6.10am this morning after receiving a report that a man had sustained a gunshot injury following an altercation with a small group of men.

"The victim, 31, was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment. His condition is described as serious but non-life-threatening.

"A firearm has been recovered.

"Scene preservation was in place on King Street at the corner of New Walk while specialist officers carried out their investigation.

"If you were in the area at around that time and saw or heard anything suspicious we would like to hear from you."

Contact 101 quoting incident 171 of May 8.

UKIP has complained to the police about what it describes as 'discrepancies' with postal ballots cast in the Leicestershire police and crime commissioner election.

Andy McWilliam, agent for defeated UKIP candidate David Sprason, says he contacted officers about concerns he had before Friday's count at which Labour's Willy Bach was declared victorious.

Mr McWilliam told the Mercury his concerns related to postal ballots returned in Leicester where he claimed the signatures of the voters did not match the applications.

He said: "There were a number I saw - at least in double figures - and it was suspicious.

"The right thing to do was to report it to the police and let them investigate."

He said he had no idea for whom the postal votes in question had been cast for.

Labour's Lord Bach won the election with a 19,883 majority over Tory candidate Neil Bannister after second preference votes were counted under the supplementary vote system.

Coun Sprason said told the Mercury: "We identified over 420 postal votes with false signatures.

"There were such a high number of postal votes in the city -some 18,000.

"I understand the police have put the postal votes aside and will be examining them."

Coun Sprason at the count

A Leicestershire police spokeswoman said: "We have received an allegation of electoral malpractice which is believed to have taken place during the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

"Inquiries are ongoing into the report and we are liaising with the Electoral Commission and the local authority."

A senior Labour source in the city dismissed the allegation as 'desperate stuff' from UKIP.

Some senior Tories have also expressed concerns about the results

The Conservatives had been the favourites to win the election and keep control of the post.

An East Midlands Conservative Party spokesman declined to comment but a number of activists left Friday's election count talking about 'anomalies'.

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission said it was not aware of any complaints.

Lord Bach said: "If a complaint has been made to the police it should clearly be properly investigated.

"I do not want to say any more but as the new police and crime commissioner it is not for me to interfere in that process."

A shopkeeper has told how he found a bullet casing in the street after a specialist police team had sealed off and searched the area for hours.

The trader, who does not want to be named, said he found the casing after police had been called in following a shooting outside the Sub8ten club in King Street, Leicester, at about 6.10am yesterday.

Specialist officers searched the scene and found a gun after a 31-year-old man had been shot in the leg.

Read more:Man injured in King Street, Leicester had been shot, police confirm

Specialist police officers searching the scene of the shooting

The victim was taken to hospital but released today..

The shopkeeper, who lives nearby, said he found the casing at 6pm yesterday after wandering into King Street after the police cordon had been lifted.

He said: "I walked out in to the street to see what all the fuss was about.

"I found the casing almost straightaway. It was on the road opposite the front door of the Sub8ten club.

"I telephoned the police and told them: 'I think I have found what you were looking for.'

"I stood by the casing until the police arrived about ten minutes later.

"I don't know how they could have combed the area for hours and not found the casing. It's weird."

Police launched an investigation after the shooting shot outside the Sub8ten club, formerly known as Sophbeck

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended the location at around 6.10am Sunday May 8 after receiving a report that a man had sustained a gunshot injury following an altercation with a small group of men.

"The victim, 31, was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.

"His condition was described as serious but non-life-threatening.

"Scene preservation was in place on King Street at the corner of New Walk while specialist officers carried out their investigation."

A 23-year-old former student told how she and group of friends saw emergency vehicles arrive as they left the club.

She said: "We left just after 6am and ordered a taxi.

"As we got into the taxi we saw lots of police cars and an ambulance a race up the street.

"We did not know what had happened but thought it must be pretty serious due to the large response."

The former student said she found out later that day that a man had been shot outside the club.

She said: "It's awful to think that could have happened there. I hope the guy is ok.

"I have been going to the club for years and nothing like this has ever happened.

"It was really packed that night. It was so hot inside the club that they were giving away ice lollies to everyone to keep us cool.

"It was the usual vibe with lots of young people just having fun.

"There were some people celebrating Leicester City winning the league but there was no sign of any trouble.

"It won't put me off going back next week because I think it is just an one-off incident."

A police spokeswoman did not confirm they had received a call from the shopkeeper about the bullet casing.

She said: "We were contacted by a member of the public who found an item they thought may be of assistance to the investigation.

"He has been spoken to by the officers and enquiries are continuing."

Police have issued an appeal for anyone who was in the club that night and thinks they may have useful information about the incident to contact them.

A spokesman said: "Also, if anyone was in the area at around that time and saw or heard anything suspicious we would like to hear from them."

People should call 101 quoting incident 171 of May 8.

A car was destroyed after being dumped in a field and set alight.

Firefighters were called out at 11.37pm yesterday to the blazing vehicle in a field on the back road between Magna Park and Ashby Parva, near Lutterworth.

A fire crew from Lutterworth station put out the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said: "It is believed the car, a BMW 3 series, was dumped in the field and set alight."

No-one was hurt in the incident.