Leicestershire County Council has set aside £2 million to cover the cost of assisting the inquiry into Greville Janner's alleged sexual abuse of boys in its care.

The authority ran the children's homes in the city and county, where the former Labour politician allegedly met, groomed and sexually assaulted boys.

It believes the £2 million will cover the cost of legal representation and digging out documents and other relevant material from its past.

It said the cash would also would cover the cost of supporting the welfare of alleged abuse victims.

The council will give an account of its actions to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, (IICSA) later this year.

The veteran Labour politician – who was accused of 22 sexual offences against boys between 1963 and 1988 – died, aged 87, shortly before Christmas.

His death ended the prospect of his alleged victims' evidence ever being tested in a criminal court.

The IICSA, which is chaired by Justice Lowell Goddard, will hear the testimonies of alleged victims of the former Leicester West MP, and then issue a "finding of facts''

Leicestershire Police and the Labour Party have also been asked to give evidence to the inquiry as it examines issues such as why Janner was not charged with offences against children when he was alive and well and what was known about his sexual interest in children.

His family says he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

County council leader Nick Rushton said of the broad inquiry: "The abuse of children is totally unacceptable and it is vital that the voices of people who were abused are heard. We remain fully committed to co-operating with the inquiry to ensure that events are fully investigated and any lessons learned.

"Clearly, preparing for an unprecedented event on this scale is significant and challenging and we're taking our role extremely seriously.

"By adopting a thorough approach, we're ensuring we provide the most comprehensive and accurate information possible, supporting the inquiry's investigation."

The Janner investigation is one of 12 strands of a broad inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse by significant public figures, including those within the Anglican and Catholic churches.

The Janner strand is expected to take six months to complete, while the broader inquiry could run until 2020.

Last year, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Alison Saunders said Lord Janner was too ill with Alzheimer's disease to stand trial.

In announcing her decision, the DPP revealed Lord Janner should have been charged with offences against children following previous police investigations in 1991 and 2002.

However, police requests to charge him were declined by the Crown Prosecution Service on at least two occasions.

A vigil for the victims of the Orlando killings will take place in Leicester Town Hall Square this evening.

It has been organised by the city's LGBT community, which has reacted with horror and revulsion to the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub at the weekend.

The city's LGBT Centre, in Bishop Street, hopes people of all backgrounds will come along to express their solidarity.

Similar demonstrations of solidarity have been or are being organised across the globe.

Dennis Bradley, project manager at the centre, said: "We firmly believe the world we want to live in is one where people are appreciated because of their differences and not subjugated or oppressed."

The vigil is also being supported by Leicester City Council.

Leicester Cathedral today flew a rainbow flag at half-mast to express its support.

The Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations condemned the "senseless act of violence", which was reportedly carried out in the name of Islamic State.

The federation's spokesman Suleman Nagdi said: "It is our hope and prayer that the actions of one inhumane individual are not used by some politicians and certain sections of the media to vilify an entire community and in doing so lead to unfair and unjustified attacks on organisations and individuals."

The Leicester Stands With Orlando vigil will take place in Town Hall Square from 6.30pm.

A "dangerous" teenager has been jailed for six years after he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault offences.

Owen Randall, (17), of Henray Avenue, Eyres Monsell, Leicester, was found guilty of the crimes at the conclusion of a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Leicestershire Police said that Randall targeted one of his victims in July last year when he was riding his bike in the Glen Parva area.

He approached the woman and raped her before leaving her in an alleyway.

In a separate incident a year earlier, Randall approached two teenage girls in Hillsborough Road, Eyres Monsell before touching one of them inappropriately.

Detective Sergeant Charlie Massarella, who led the investigation, said: "Over the course of a year, this man carefully targeted his victims, choosing those younger than him and a young women out on her own.

"He is a dangerous individual and I hope the sentence he has received today is some comfort to the victims."

Police have charged a man after a cat was allegedly thrown to its death from a flat window.

Reece Wright-Anderson, 24, has been charged with an offence under the Public Order Act following an incident in Leicester city centre on Friday last week.

Police were called to Horsefair Street after members of the public reported that the cat had been thrown from a flat above the Nat West bank.

Members of staff at Taking Shape clothing cared for the injured animal, which they described as a young and smoky grey in colour, until it died.

A court date is still to be set.

A man has been released on bail after he was questioned on suspicion of burgling a Sikh temple.

The 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaking into the Guru Nanak gurdwara, in Holy Bones, off Vaughan Way, Leicester city centre on Tuesday last week.

An intruder went from room to room and the list of items stolen ranged from musical instruments to CCTV cameras and their monitors.

A large sum of money which members of the congregation had collected for charity was also taken.

Police have confirmed a "large number" of items stolen during the break-in had been recovered.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said the investigation was continuing.

Police are not treating as suspicious the death of a man who was found collapsed in his village home this morning.

Officers were called to the house in Victoria Street, Fleckney after the alarm was raised by ambulance staff.

The house was taped off throughout the morning as officers examined the scene the circumstances surrounding the death.

Read more: M1 man's 28 hour stand-off with police comes to an end - as it happened

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: "Police were called to Victoria Street, Fleckney at 7.18am this morning following a report of a man being found collapsed.

"Officers were called by the ambulance service and attended the scene but sadly the man was found to have died.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."

A man arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance following a 28-hour enforced closure of the M1 in Leicestershire remained in custody today.

The man, who has not been named by police, was arrested after refusing to come down from a stanchion on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 23A and 22 between midday on Sunday and 4pm yesterday.

Read more: M1 man's 28 hour stand-off with police comes to an end - as it happened

Moments after the men climbed down the stanchion

The closure of the motorway caused chaos throughout the country until the carriageway was opened at 5.15pm yesterday.

The man voluntarily agreed to come down from the structure, just yards from the bridge over the M1 in Whitwick Road, Copt Oak, near Markfield, at 4pm on Monday.

Fans leaving the weekend's rock festival Download at nearby Castle Donington, holidaymakers travelling to and from East Midlands Airport and Monday morning commuters and truckers were among those caught up in the huge tailbacks which resulted from the motorway closure.

The southbound diversion from junction 23A at the airport took motorists on a 70-mile detour down the A42 via Tamworth and the outskirts of Birmingham on to the M42, then M6, before rejoining the M1 South at junction 19 at Catthorpe.

Police said they were continuing to interview the man about the incident.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Kay said: "I do not underestimate the incredible gridlock and massive inconvenience that this incident caused to motorists throughout the UK.

"I would, however, like to express my sincere sympathies to the many tens of thousands of people who have been seriously inconvenienced as a result of this incident.

"Our priority from the outset was the safety of the man, of my officers, and of the wider motoring public."

read more: M1 man's 28 hour stand-off with police comes to an end - as it happened

A man has been charged with causing a public nuisance following a 28-hour closure of the M1 at the weekend.

Nicholas Muton, 45, of no fixed address was charged this afternoon with the offence this afternoon and is scheduled to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Leicestershire Police decided to close the southbound carriageway of the motorway, near Markfield, at midday on Sunday on safety grounds after a man climbed onto an roadside stanchion. The road was re-opened at 4pm yesterday.

Police seized a number of cannabis plants from a village home this morning.

Officers carried out the raid on the house in Bradgate Road, Anstey.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: "A drugs warrant was executed at a property this morning and a small quantity of plants, believed to be cannabis, were recovered.

"No arrests have been made and inquires are ongoing."

Fears are growing for an experienced walker who went missing a week ago while trekking alone through Spain.

The last confirmed sighting of David Oldman, 66, was last Thursday when he left his overnight lodgings and headed back out on the road.

Mr Oldman's family in Leicester say they are desperate for news of him and have made a series of pleas on social media for help finding him.

The former Leicester city councillor is on a 1,400 mile trek from London to Gibraltar.

His family say he is an experienced hiker who meticulously plots every step of his routes.

Mr Oldman is trekking from London to Gibraltar.

His niece, Gemma Oldman, of Clarendon Park, Leicester said the family is certain Mr Oldman stayed in pre-booked lodgings in Huercal-Overa in southern Spain and had set out for his next destination, Albox, on Thursday last week.

Ms Oldman said the family became concerned when Mr Oldman did not ring his mother, who lives in Stoneygate, on Sunday.

Their fears grew further when the former city councillor, who now lives in London, did not board a flight he was due to catch to fly home on Tuesday.

Ms Oldman said: "He is a very experienced walker and was following a planned route from Gibraltar House in London to Gibraltar.

"This is what he does, this is his holiday and he is very fit and good at what he does.

"He would go over there for a week or 10 days to walk part of his route and then fly home for a while before going back out to pick it up again.

"We know his itinerary and that he left his lodgings on Thursday morning but did not reach his next lodging place.

"We haven't heard from him since and he would normally ring my nana on Sunday.

"We became extremely worried after he was due to fly back to the UK on Tuesday but did not board the plane.

"We are just desperate for news of where he is."

Spanish police are searching the area with a specialist dog team and from the air.

British police are also being reassured by the Consulate in Spain that all that can be done is being done.

An obsessed man stalked and spied on his former partner, who discovered a ladder propped against her bedroom window, a court heard.

Darren Pick (51) left her depressed and in fear after jealously threatening: "If I ever catch you with another man, I'll kill you and him."

The victim was said to have retaliated by posting indecent images on Pick's Facebook page, of a pornographic home movie they had made together in happier times.

Leicester Crown Court was told the publishing of "shocking" images of Pick in a compromising situation "had not assisted in his coping with the breakdown of the relationship".

Pick, of Beaumanor Road, Leicester, was jailed for 18 months after admitting putting a person in fear of violence by harassment, by following his ex-partner, spying on her, forcing contact upon her and restricting her freedom, between June and December last year.

Balraj Bhatia, prosecuting, said the victim, a mother of five whose marriage had broken down, took the defendant in as a lodger at the end of 2013, before they began a relationship, which broke down in about April or May last year.

He said: "Pick was very controlling and wanted to know at all times where she was and who she was with."

Read more: Kayleigh Haywood - Friday LIVE trial updates

From June to December, Pick's conduct, on seven or eight occasions, caused her "anxiety and concern" as he tried to maintain contact, by finding out where she was and making threats, including "I've left a trap at yours."

Mr Bhatia said: "She took that message to mean he was capable of damaging her property, herself or her children."

He would keep watch by parking his van near her home and a property she was developing – and texted her messages such as "slut".

He bombarded her with 48 missed calls on one night.

She found a ladder propped against her bedroom window and one of her children also reported seeing light from a torch at night in their room.

Officer in the case DC Rachel Minton told the judge the victim feared going out alone and was now "petrified of men".

In a statement read by the prosecutor, the victim said she was "paranoid" Pick was watching her, and there was no reason for step ladders to be against her bedroom window other than to view her from close quarters.

She had changed from being "confident and bubbly" to a "nervous wreck", she said.

Pick has a previous conviction for harassing another former partner in a similar fashion, the court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "You thought she was your possession and you dominated, controlled and intimidated her, resulting in clinical anxiety and depression.

"I'm told you've now moved on… I hope you've now let go of this woman."

He made an indefinite restraining order banning any future contact.

Steven Newcombe, mitigating, said: "He clearly has difficulty coming to terms with the end of a relationship."

He added: "This couple had previously filmed themselves in a private pornographic film and on an occasion when they fell out the complainant, with the assistance of her son (aged 14), uploaded images onto the defendant's Facebook account.

"It was deleted and, according to the son's statement, re-posted.

"The defence team have viewed it, and for that to be made public is in itself quite shocking and it didn't assist in his coping with the break-up."

A law student was given a "first hand insight into the legal system" when she appeared in court charged with assault.

Marium Vaidya (24) was ordered to pay £800 in fines and costs for repeatedly striking a woman on the head in a city centre pub.

Vaidya, of Bayberry Avenue, Eyres Monsell, pleaded guilty to common assault,at the Marz Bar, in Belvoir Street, in the early hours of February 28 last year.

Kate Plummer, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that a friend of Vaidya, Lianne Towers, 27, became involved in an altercation with a woman in the bar.

Vaidya then stood between the two women who were lashing out, holding her arms out trying to separate them, and was struck on the head at one stage. The boyfriend of the victim then stood in front of his girlfriend to protect her from Towers.

Miss Plummer said: "The victim fell back into an armchair and the bouncers then mistook the situation and removed the boyfriend. The defendant, Vaidya, then approached her and struck her forcefully between seven and nine times on the head."

The barman took the victim outside.

Towers then ran up and punched the victim, in front of police officers.

Read more: Kayleigh Haywood - Friday LIVE trial updates

Miss Plummer said Towers had already been dealt with by magistrates, who fined her £200 for common assault. The complainant suffered reddening and bruising to her head and face, although the prosecution were unable to say which injury was caused by which assault.

When arrested, Vaidya said she acted in self-defence.

Miss Plummer said: "There was no need for this defendant to become involved in what wasn't her fight and the complainant was sitting in an armchair at the time."

Recorder Michael Stephens said: "I'm very much influenced in the way Lianne Towers was dealt with by magistrates, although you're in the crown court and only pleaded guilty here on the day of your trial.

"You're an undergraduate seeking to pursue a law degree and possibly a career in the law. This, in its way, has given you a first-hand insight into the justice system.

"But if you're going to pursue a career in the law you can't get into trouble like this in future.

"You may have to give up going around with certain people or to certain places.

"Violence in public places when fuelled with alcohol isn't dealt with so lightly here as in the magistrates court."

Mary Prior, mitigating, said Towers, who was fined £200, was also more seriously involved in an assault in front of police officers.

She said that Vaidya was in her second year of a law degree and also worked part-time for an insurance company.

People are being invited to join a vigil for MP Jo Cox at Leicester's Clock Tower this evening.

The event is due to begin at the city landmark at 5pm and to bring candles, banners and flowers with them.

The 41-year-old Labour MP was shot and stabbed in the street while holding her regular constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire yesterday.

She died later in hospital.

Her attacker is reported to have shouted "put Britain first" at least twice. A 52-year-old man has been arrested.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, who will attend this evening's event, said: "It is an unspeakable tragedy and I will be there to pay my respects and I hope others will join us."

Leicester's deputy city mayor Rory Palmer said: "I didn't know Jo, but the tributes last night and this morning show how Jo was held in the highest regard across politics.

"This awful and heartbreaking tragedy is saddening beyond words. Everyone in politics, locally and nationally is united in their shock and grief.

"There is a deep sense of grief, loss and disbelief in the Labour Party. The Labour family is pulling together to support Jo's family, colleagues and friends."

Campaigning ahead of the EU referendum has been suspended for the time being as a mark of respect.

MPs have been urged to be 'vigilant' in the wake of the killing.

The National Police Chiefs Council said it had circulated the advice to individual forces and to politicians.

A fugitive wanted by police over the murder of a man and the suspected murder of his missing wife was arrested in Luxembourg last night.

Fork-lift truck driver Ali Qazimaj, 42, had been on the run since Peter Stuart, 75, was found stabbed to death near his home at Weybread, Suffolk, on June 3.

His wife Sylvia, 69, has not been since and officers wanted to speak to Qazimaj about her whereabouts.

However, police now believe Mrs Stuart is also dead.

A 61-year-old man from Leicestershire was arrested as part of the investigation. He has been released on bail.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Parkes, of Suffolk Police, said today that officers had no expectation of finding Sylvia alive and were treating her disappearance as murder.

Qazimaj was eventually located and detained in Luxembourg yesterday on suspicion of the murder of Mr and Mrs Stuart.

A member of staff working at a hostel in Luxembourg identified Ali Qazimaj through photographs of him on the internet and then alerted authorities who detained him.

Detectives from Suffolk are now working with the National Crime Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service and authorities in Luxembourg to seek Ali Qazimaj's extradition under a European Arrest Warrant.

Police released CCTV footage of the last time the Stuarts were seen alive.

A senior police source in Albania said today: "We thank you for your cooperation. This will be invaluable to our investigation.

"We will work as hard as we can to help the British police. This could be the information that cracks the case.

"We strongly believe this man is not Kosovan but Albanian and he has connections with Albania."

Yesterday, British police revealed that Ali Qazimaj had remained in the country for at least three days following the killing.

He travelled to France the day after police said they had found Mr Stuart's body. Police believe Mr Stuart had been dead for a number of days.

Qazimaj, from Tilbury, Essex, abandoned his Citroen C3 in Dover, on June 4.

Qazimaj, who also used the name Marco Costa, then boarded a ferry on foot at 7pm the same day and travelled to Calais.

Police believe Qazimaj is from Kosovo.

He sought asylum after the conflict in the country ended in the late 1990s. This was granted and he was given a British passport.

However, since the hunt for him began, it has been suggested he may have stolen the identity of another Ali Qazimaj in Kosovo.

Detectives have so far declined to comment on these reports, or whether there were any traces of Mrs Stuart in Qazimaj's Citroen.

The last sighting of Mr and Mrs Stuart was at Goodies Farm Shop in Pulham Market, Norfolk, on the morning of Sunday, May 29.

Anyone with information which could help police should contact Suffolk police on 01473 782000.

A man who subjected a woman to a vicious sexual assault before leaving her for dead has been given a life sentence.

Vijay Singh (43), of Oxford Street, Leicester, was found guilty of attempted murder and serious sexual assault following an eight day trial in May.

He carried out the attack at a premises in King Street, Leicester city centre, on the night of Friday, June 5, last year.

Singh left the victim with multiple serious injuries which were so horrific she spent a "considerable" time in hospital recovering, Leicestershire Police said.

Read more: Fugitive murder suspect arrested in Luxembourg, police confirm

At Stafford Crown Court today, Singh was handed a life sentence. He will have to serve a minimum of 14 years before the parole board can begin to consider whether it would be safe to release him on a life licence.

He will remain on the sex offender register for life.

After the attack, Singh fled the scene with Balbir Singh, who was waiting outside the premises when the attack took place.

He then took Vijay Singh home, gave him a change of clothes and hid his bloodied clothing inside a shed.

Read more: Law student charged with assault

Balbir Singh (50), of Thurcaston Road, Leicester, was convicted of assisting an offender and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

After the hearing today, Detective Sergeant Sarah Walker, the investigating officer, said: "The victim has shown immense bravery and courage throughout the investigation.

"It was an incredibly distressing experience for her and she has had to relive the attack in order to assist officers to piece together the events of that night and ultimately bring those responsible to justice."

Support for victims of sexual violence in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is available from United Against Violence and Abuse on 0808 802 0028.

Friends and well-wishers have donated more than £19,500 to a fund for a Leicester City fan who was attacked by a Russian thug at the Euro 2016 tournament.

The online appeal was launched after news emerged that Stewart Gray was in a coma after a Russian 'ultra' hit him on the head with a metal bar or a hammer.

The attack, reported in the Leicester Mercury earlier this week, happened in Marseilles last Saturday as Mr Gray, who is thought to be from Hinckley, was walking to the England match at the Stade Velodrome.

He is in a coma in a hospital in the southern French city. One of his brothers and other family members are thought to be at his bedside.

Friends and family have set up an online appeal to collect cash to support Mr Gray, who is thought to be originally from the Oadby and Wigston area, with medical bills and any further expenses he and his family might face.

Donations can be made here.

They believe he will not be able to work for some time as a production planner at Burnetts Manufacturing Limited, in Northampton.

Tonight, the fund was still growing steadily and had just surpassed £19,500.

Hundreds of friends and well-wishers posting messages of support having made donations.

Davie O'Connor wrote on the site: "Stay strong mate, we are all rooting for you. God bless."

Lee Connell: "Along with everyone else, I wish SG a speedy recovery. Donation made. Saints fan."

Julie Almond, of St Helens, on Merseyside posted: "Football unites all fans who ever we support. Speedy recovery."

Hundreds of people have made donations to the Stewart Gray fund.

In an update posted on the Just Giving website appeal, one of his brothers wrote: "He is showing the early signs of recovery but will be unable to work for a long while.

"Money raised will go towards medical bills, mortgage payments etc."

The build-up to the match at the Stade Velodrome was marred by violence.

Many England fans have complained they repeatedly came under attack by an organised mob of Russian fans – some of whom were armed and were wearing masks and gum shields.

At the final whistle of the match, which ended in a 1 - 1 draw, Russian fans in the ground rushed at England fans – who fled in terror.

The violence resulted in warnings from tournament organiser Uefa to both English and Russian football authorities that both would be kicked out of the competition were the violence to be repeated.

Police are searching for a thug who they believe has carried out a series of robberies in the same neighbourhood, knocking some of his victims unconscious.

The man targeted two men in the West End area of Leicester earlier this month.

Officers released details of the attacks today and said they were not ruling out the possibility they were linked to two similar incidents in the same area last month.

Victims have not been able to provide a description of the attacker because of the sudden and rapid nature of the assaults.

People have been urged to follow simple personal safety tips when they are out and about in the area, especially late at night or in the early hours .

In the most recent incident, a 20-year-old man was punched while he was walking through Bede Park.

His attacker stole his phone and wallet.

A short time before or after, a 24-year-old man was assaulted in a similar fashion near the junction of Narborough Road and Hinckley Road.

Nothing was taken from the victim.

Both men received medical treatment for their injuries following the attacks, which happened at about 4am on Saturday, June 4.

Detective Constable James Collins said: "I am appealing to anybody who was out in the area in the early hours of June 4 who may have seen what happened and could assist our investigation.

"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, could help with our inquiries."

The attacks have happened in and around Narborough Road.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said officers were "keeping an open mind" on whether the attacks were carried out by a man who targeted the same area last month.

In those cases, a thug knocked a man and a woman unconscious before stealing their phones and other valuables.

Those attacks happened in the same area of Narborough Road in the early hours of Sunday, May 22.

The woman was attacked on a path between Narborough Road and King Richard's Road and the man a short distance away at the junction of Hinckley Road and Braunstone Gate.

Police advise people to keep valuables such as phones and laptop computers out of sight, to wear bags over the shoulder and to cover up jewellery with a scarf or clothing.

They are also encouraging people to be aware of their surroundings and to change direction if they begin to feel unsafe and to use well-lit, busy streets if possible, and also a route they are familiar with.

If you have any information, contact Det Con Collins on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Friends and former colleagues of a police officer who lost his battle with motor neurone disease a year ago lined up against a Leicester City Legends side to support the charity he created before his death.

The football match took place on Sunday, June 12 to raise money for the Treble One Trust, a charity set up by Sgt Stewart Sparling when he first became ill with the disease.

The 43-year-old former Melton officer, whose police collar number was 111, had been living with the disease since 2011.

The collar number was "retired" by Leicestershire Police as a mark of respect.

He dedicated himself to raising money to help other people living with the disease.

Pc Chris Perry, one of Sgt Sparling's former colleague at Melton, said: "Steve Walsh managed the team and they brought a strong squad including Phil Gilchrist and his son Callum who is a professional at Inverness, Muzzy Izzet, Matt Piper, Julian Watts, Scott Oakes, Julian Joachim and Leicester boxing legend Rendall Munroe also played – so you can imagine we lost 5-1.

"We managed to raise over £1,400, even though the crowd wasn't as big as we'd hoped.

"The Queens birthday celebrations, a large youth tournament in Melton and the weather didn't help.

"But we're over the moon with the amount we raised and thank those that came to support us."

Tom Naughton and Steve Walsh, the managers of the Leicester Legends team, said: "We have supported the Treble One Trust for five years and really enjoy coming over to play their team in Melton.

"We were with Stewart every year and saw how MND affected him and what a terrible illness it is and we're always glad to help them raise some money."

Chief Constable Simon Cole has said previously: "It was with a heavy heart that I was told of the untimely passing of Stew Sparling.

"His courage in the face of motor neurone disease has been inspirational.

"To turn his own ill-health into the positives for others through the Treble One Trust tells you all that you need to know about Stew."

Police have urged residents to help them prevent a seasonal rise in burglaries by ensuring they keep their homes secure when the weather is warm.

Leicestershire Police said burglars take advantage of rising temperatures and muggy atmospheres when people leave windows and doors open to ventilate their homes.

Some scour neighbourhoods for insecure houses and nip into those with open doors or windows to steal the contents, typically small, portable items such as laptop computers and mobile phones.

Officers stressed people should keep windows and doors locked while they are out, when they are upstairs or even when they are enjoying the sun in their back gardens.

Inspector Simon Preston, commander of city centre police, said: "This is a key time of year for us because people tend to open their windows and doors and then forget to close and lock them

"It's a very simple message we try to get across to people at this time of year when the warmer weather arrives.

"That is there are people out there looking for opportunities to commit burglaries and open windows and doors are an invitation to them."

Leicestershire Police is to launch an awareness campaign to highlight the risks of leaving your home insecure.

Officers in neighbourhoods across the city and county will urge residents to follow basic steps to keep their homes safe and secure.

In previous years they have dropped leaflets through open windows or doors to warn the occupants that an intruder would have been able to gain entry.

Recorded crime has been falling consistently in the past few years.

Between September 2014 and 2015 burglary fell a further three per cent to a total of 1,770, according to figures published earlier this year by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Home security and other safety information is available here

A city centre bar owner has won the right to open longer despite objections by the police.

However, the owner of Harvey's Bar, in Belvoir Street, was not granted his wish of being allowed to open until 6am at weekends.

Instead a panel of city councillors allowed the bar to serve alcohol until 4am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Until now, the bar's licence allowed it to serve alcohol until 2am.

Police had asked the city council to block the 6am application because it would stretch their resources

The 4am compromise puts Harvey's Bar in line with other venues on the street.

Licensee, Abdul Caratella said he was happy with the new licensing hours allowed by the council's licensing panel on Thursday last week.

Mr Caratella, who has worked in the licensed trade for 40 years said: "This puts me in line with other bars in the area and I'm happy with that.

"It means I won't lose my customers to other venues in the street.

"I've been here since 2012 and have never had any incidents involving the police.

"I understand why the police objected to the 6am licence because that is their policy.

"They weren't objecting to me or the way I run my business."

Leicestershire Police's licensing department had told the city council allowing the bar to open until 6am would potentially add to alcohol-related disorder in the area and stretch police resources.

Belvoir Street already has several late-night bars and is one of the focus areas for the police's Operation Anthem, which aims to curb violence on Fridays and Saturdays.

Harvey's is within a "cumulative impact area" which means no new or extended hours should be granted by the council unless the licensee can convince them the change will have no impact on levels of crime and disorder.