Police chase pink ice cream van through citypublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
The "unusual getaway vehicle" made it easier for officers to spot in the night, police say.
Read MorePolice chase pink ice cream van through citypublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Quick reporting of sex attack 'helped catch rapist'published at 15:51 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News OnlinePolice have praised the actions of a woman whose quick reporting of a sex attack lead to the culprit being caught soon after.
Virgil Arhip, 28, broke into a house in Leicester in the early hours of 19 July then raped the female resident.
The woman, who is in her 60s, called police at 01:54 and gave a detailed description of the attacker.
Officers searched the area and arrested Arhip in a nearby street less than an hour later.
Image source, Getty ImagesOn Wednesday at Leicester Crown Court, Arhip, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of burglary.
He has been remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced on 16 October.
Det Insp Gareth Goddard said: "This was a truly harrowing and appalling attack on a woman in her own home.
"Thanks to the extreme bravery of the victim and the swift actions and tenacious work of all officers involved, Arhip has pleaded guilty to these horrendous crimes."
Pubs choose to close over coronavirus concernspublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Samantha Noble
BBC News OnlineTwo Nottinghamshire pubs have closed for 48 hours as a precaution after hearing about positive cases of coronavirus in the area.
The Royal Oak, in Watnall, and The Dog House, in Kimberley, both announced on Facebook yesterday they would shut until tomorrow.
Zach Towers, owner of The Royal Oak, said: "We have been notified of a number of customers who have visited many pubs in the local area at the weekend that have tested positive.
"To protect our staff and customers we are closing for two days to deep clean our pub. We have not been told to close but have chosen to do this ourselves."
Image source, GoogleHe added he had just been made aware of one person - who visited his pub last week - who has tested positive. He's unsure if other people with coronavirus came to the pub but said he was being "precautious".
Mr Towers said he was friends with the people who run The Dog House and they decided together closing was right thing to do.
The Dog House has not responded to the BBC's request for comment but said on Facebook: "Although we have not been instructed to do so, in light of the outbreak of Covid-19 in the area we feel the right and proper action is to shut the premises for 48 hours with immediate effect to deep clean and take stock of the situation."
Nottinghamshire County Council said public health colleagues are now "aware of this situation and looking into it".
A spokeswoman added latest figures show there are eight cases across the Broxtowe district.
Midwife 'delighted' after stolen bicycle returnedpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Sonia Kataria
BBC NewsA midwife who uses her bicycle to get to her patients says she is "delighted" it has been returned to her after it was stolen from outside her GP practice.
Cydney Hoy-Griffiths, who uses the bike to get to expectant and new mothers, was "devastated" to find the locked bike had been taken from Greenfields Medical Centre in Hyson Green on 26 August.
She came across the bike online when she clicked on to a local online marketplace, Nottinghamshire Police said.
The 24-year-old contacted police who traced the seller, recovered the bike and made an arrest.
Previously, her bicycle had been stolen in London while working at a pub five years ago and again while studying midwifery at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre hospital.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and released under investigation pending further inquiries.
Image source, Nottinghamshire PoliceMs Hoy-Griffiths said: "I'm obviously delighted. Having my bike back is brilliant... it was my only form of transport into work.
"I was absolutely devastated to see that my bike lock had been clipped whilst I was working."
Image source, Nottinghamshire PolicePair 'threatened with gun' in Nottingham cafepublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsA man has been arrested after allegedly pulling out a gun and threatening two people at a cafe in Nottingham.
Nottinghamshire Police said no-one was hurt in the disturbance in Beech Avenue, New Basford, at about 12:00 yesterday.
Image source, GoogleThe 35-year-old was arrested in Manchester yesterday evening on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and remains in custody.
Woman died after dropped cigarette ignited pyjamaspublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Flames took hold of a magazine before spreading to the 71-year-old's pyjamas, an inquest heard.
Read MoreSaddlers sign Rose, Osadebe & Whitepublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Walsall sign ex-Southampton keeper Jack Rose, former Gillingham midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe and ex-Mansfield defender Hayden White.
Read MoreTractor spotted at McDonald's drive-thrupublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Neil Heath
BBC News OnlineA man on a tractor has been snapped making a food order at a McDonald's drive-thru in Nottinghamshire.
Hilary Davies took the picture while she waited at traffic lights near Chilwell Retail Park on Monday.
Image source, Hilary DaviesShe said: "I thought, 'oh my god, I'm seeing things'.
"I shared it on Spotted Toton and the man [on the tractor] commented and said, 'thanks for taking the picture'."
McDonald's said as long as a vehicle is roadworthy and fits in the lane, they can use the service.
Case for Leicester lockdown rules 'growing thinner'published at 13:21 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Amy Orton
Local Democracy ReporterLeicester's city mayor says the government’s case for keeping some local lockdown rules in place is "growing thinner by the day".
As positive cases in Leicester plummet, Sir Peter Soulsby called for the city to be aligned with the rest of the country.
"The action we have taken locally has had the desired effect, cases and rates are dropping and we have been able to take more specific action in more specific areas when the data we have asked for from the very beginning has been provided to us," he said.
Image source, PA MediaA list compiled by the Press Association showed Leicester's coronavirus infection rates are now the 24th highest in the country.
Current local lockdown rules in the city prevent people going to the homes of family and friends, or meeting with others in a private garden.
Some sectors of the city's economy, including gyms and swimming pools, remain closed and businesses like beauty salons and hairdressers cannot provide some treatments.
"At no point has there been clear criteria or a threshold for an area going into or coming out of a local lockdown," Sir Peter said.
Leicester's local lockdown is due to be reviewed by Friday 11 September.
Amazon to create 7,000 UK jobspublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
The online retail giant is recruiting at more than 50 sites in response to growing customer demand.
Read MoreBan on cars driving up to school after congestionpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Amy Woodfield
BBC NewsA Leicester primary school has banned cars from driving up to its site after the city council and police had to intervene following "traffic calming issues".
Krishna Avanti Primary School only reopened last Thursday but is already on its third drop-off and pick-system.
Previous systems allowed cars to drive up to the school building but they led to congestion on Spencefield Lane and Downing Drive.
This was the scene outside the school, which shares an entrance with St Paul's Catholic School, last week.
Image source, OtherHead teacher Denham Kite said: "There were meetings with highways and the police because it was causing issues further afield so we needed to stop cars coming in for the safety of people on the A47."
The school is now asking parents to park up away from the school grounds and walk in using a new lane system (below).
One parent told BBC Radio Leicester: "The one-way system is fantastic. Obviously there is always fine tuning that can be done but I think it's a really positive thing."
Another said: "The last couple of days have been challenging because we want to maintain distance and be safe but today I'm pleasantly surprised."
Arrest after pink ice cream van police chasepublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Heather Burman
BBC NewsA man has been arrested after a pink ice cream van was involved in a police chase in Nottingham.
Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to a report of an ice cream van being stolen on Bobbers Mill Road in Bobbers Mill just after 01:00 this morning.
The force said they then spotted the pink van on the A52 just before 01:20 and tried to pull it over, but the driver failed to stop and then drove "dangerously in an attempt to evade police before eventually coming to a stop".
Image source, Nottinghamshire PoliceA 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and theft of a motor vehicle.
Insp Mark Stanley said: "Clearly this was an unusual getaway vehicle and it wasn't too difficult for officers to spot a pink ice cream van being driven in the middle of the night.
"I'm glad that we've been able to return the van quickly and hopefully minimise the disruption to its owner."
Further arrest after double stabbing in Leicesterpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Sonia Kataria
BBC NewsA man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two men were stabbed in Leicester.
Police found the pair injured in West Street at about 23:40 on 12 August.
Leicestershire Police said a 56-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. The other man, 37, has since been discharged.
The arrested man, 35, from Leicester, remains in custody for questioning.
Image source, GoogleTwo men, 37 and 46, and a 41-year-old woman - who were all previously detained on suspicion of attempted murder - have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Another woman, 49, who was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released with no further action, the force added.
Det Sgt Kevin Hames said: "Although we have made another arrest our investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this incident is very much ongoing."
Offender caught after mum imitates child on chatpublished at 11:48 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Jacob Croucher is sentenced after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Read More'Paint stripper' poured over carpublished at 10:02 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Neil Heath
BBC News OnlinePolice are investigating after a car, belonging to a woman who is six months pregnant, was damaged with a corrosive substance.
The Nissan Juke, parked in South Normanton, was damaged at some point between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Image source, suppliedThe woman said she was woken by a delivery driver who believed someone had "thrown eggs" at her vehicle.
"I put my finger on it and it burnt my skin and the fumes were awful," she said.
"Luckily my six-year-old son was away with his dad. I'm so upset."
She said she thinks paint stripper has been poured on the vehicle.
Image source, suppliedDerbyshire Police are appealing for anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious to get in touch.
Man in critical condition after being struck by vanpublished at 09:39 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Alex Regan
BBC NewsA man is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a van which then collided with two cars, police said.
Leicestershire Police said the collisions occurred in Parker Drive in Leicester shortly after 16:20 on Wednesday.
A blue Vauxhall Vivaro van struck the pedestrian before hitting a Renault Scenic and a BMW 3 Series, the force added.
The 40-year-old pedestrian remains at the Queen's Medical Centre and another pedestrian sustained minor injuries.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while under the influence of drugs and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.
He has since been released under investigation.
Image source, GoogleSupersized Wotsit breaks world record for biggest corn puffpublished at 08:21 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
Samantha Noble
BBC News OnlineA 10.66m "Wotszilla", made at the Walkers factory in Leicester, has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest puffed corn snack on the planet.
In order to achieve the cheesy feat, the snack needed to be at least 10m long, yet stay the same width as a standard Wotsits Giant (a new, slightly larger variety of the classic snack).
Image source, WalkersThe record-breaker weighed in at 250g and measured the equivalent of 164 regular Wotsits Giants.
The supersized snack, which the firm has called Wotzilla, had to be baked by hand as it was too large to fit in any of Walkers' ovens.
The crisp maker attempted to break the record to celebrate the national roll-out of Wotsits Giants.
Image source, WalkersToday's weather for the East Midlandspublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
It's a rather cloudy day with patchy rain. As the day progresses, the rain will pass to allow for drier conditions with sunny spells.
Image source, ScrappyTonight will be largely dry and will feel cooler than last night, with a few patches of fog or mist forming.
'Hidden' Victorian ice house restoration to beginpublished at 00:21 British Summer Time 3 September 2020
After decades locked and covered with vegetation, the structure is to be restored to community use.
Read MoreCockbain stars as Glos beat Bears in T20published at 22:22 British Summer Time 2 September 2020
Ian Cockbain bludgeons an unbeaten 84 as Gloucestershire beat Birmingham on a rain-affected night of T20 Blast action.
Read More
