Festive Fun at Oakham Christmas Light Switch-On. Police Action in Oakham and Rutland

Leicestershire Police in Rutland have provided an update on their activity surrounding the town's highly successful annual Christmas Light Switch-On event.

The event proved to be a fantastic occasion for community engagement, with local officers enjoying the chance to mingle with residents and business owners alike.

"We had a fantastic time attending the Oakham Christmas light switch-on event! It was great to speak to so many residents and local business owners who came along to celebrate."

The evening was packed with entertainment, including the appearance of Leicester City Football Club's beloved mascot, Filbert Fox, and, much to the delight of the crowd, a special visit from Santa Claus himself! A highlight of the night was an incredible fire performer, an act the police humorously warned spectators: (Please don’t try this at home!).

Routine Patrols Lead to Swift Arrest

This month the policing team had been highly visible across the town centre. PC Joe & PC James conducted proactive foot patrols in and around Oakham's shops.

Officers reported great engagement with local shoppers, businesses, and even a few tourists, reinforcing the police presence in the retail area.

Officers were called to an incident of retail crime, the patrol team was alerted to a serious incident involving a shoplifter who had assaulted members of staff at a local shop.

Police swiftly responded, resulting in a local man being detained and arrested on suspicion of theft and assault.

The suspect was then transported to custody in Leicester for further processing.

This rapid action underscores the police force's commitment to supporting local businesses and ensuring the safety of retail staff during the busy festive period.

Leicestershire Police encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help keep the community safe.

It's been Busy for Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Team: From Joint Working to Foot Chases

Rutland PCSO Lauren of the Rutland Neighbourhood Policing team has provided a snapshot of the high-tempo activities carried out over the past three evenings this month, showcasing the diverse and demanding nature of their local enforcement and community engagement work.

In a recent update, PCSO Lauren detailed a period of intense joint agency cooperation, proactive policing, and essential community presence across the county, alongside her colleague, Beth.

A significant portion of their time was dedicated to collaborative problem-solving, highlighting the importance of integrated neighbourhood policing:

The team completed joint agency meetings with the council and visited residents concerning complaints directed at both the police and local authorities.

PCSO Lauren emphasised that "this joint working is key to neighbourhood working," ensuring seamless resolution of community issues.

Swift Action at Loughborough Fair

The team's duties extended beyond Rutland's borders to assist with a large public event, requiring rapid response and physical effort: Officers policed the large-scale Loughborough Fair.

Foot Chase and Safeguarding: The evening involved physical action, with the officers getting their "running shoes out for a foot chase" and assisting with a vulnerable child, ensuring the girl was safely reunited with her home.

Local Presence and Crime Prevention

Maintaining high visibility and addressing local crime concerns remained a priority across Rutland's villages and Oakham town centre:

Village Patrols: Regular patrolling of villages throughout Rutland was conducted by car.

Oakham Focus: The team conducted foot patrols around Oakham and the surrounding villages, reinforcing public safety.

Investigative Work: In relation to ongoing retail crime, the officers spent time collecting CCTV in relation to shop thefts in Oakham.

Community Events: They also attended the Barrowden Christmas Market, blending law enforcement with local celebration.

Casual Wear, Serious Consequences: Uninsured Driver Caught in Pyjamas in Oakham

Leicestershire Police in Rutland reported a "fairly steady Saturday night shift" marked by generally good-natured behaviour, but officers dealt with a few isolated incidents, including an unusual vehicle stop and a drug-driving arrest.

A Costly Mid-Night Fuel Stop

The quiet early hours of Sunday morning saw officers spot a BMW driving into Oakham. The driver, notably wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown, pulled into a petrol station to fuel up his car.

Officers conducted a stop check on the vehicle as it left the town. The driver, referred to by the police as 'PJ', explained he was giving his girlfriend, who was also in her pyjamas, a lift home some distance away.

The situation took a serious turn when police checks confirmed the vehicle's details:

• The Outcome: The BMW was uninsured.

• Consequence: The driver was reported for driving without insurance, and the car was seized.

The couple's journey ended abruptly, though a friend fortunately agreed to come and collect them. The incident serves as a sharp reminder that even quick trips require valid insurance.

Drug Driver Arrested Near Ashwell

Earlier on Saturday evening, officers were conducting patrols when they began following a Mercedes travelling towards the village of Ashwell.

Officers soon detected a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the vehicle, prompting a stop.

• Seizure and Arrest: A quantity of drugs was seized, and the driver subsequently failed a roadside drug test.

• Custody: The individual was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and transported to custody in Leicester.

The Rutland officers highlighted that while the majority of the community enjoyed a calm weekend, they remain vigilant against criminal and dangerous driving offences across the county.

Op VEX: Melton and Rutland Police Commander Delivers Strong Update on Retail Crime Crackdown

Melton & Rutland - Inspector Darren Richardson, Commander for the Melton & Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), has released a positive update on "Op Vex," a dedicated police operation targeting retail crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the run-up to the Christmas period.

The update confirms that the first week of Operation Vex has had a "very positive impact," with officers significantly increasing their high-visibility patrols across the key town centres of Melton and Oakham.

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Week One: Enforcement and Arrests

The operation has focused on proactive patrols and swift response to incidents, resulting in several key arrests and consistent engagement with local retail partners.

Date	Location	Activity	Result
17 Nov	Melton Town Centre	Foot pursuit of an individual.	Subject surrendered to police; engagement with local stakeholders (BP, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons).
18 Nov	Area unspecified	Targeted operation.	Arrest of a prolific shoplifter, who was also found in possession of heroin.
20 Nov	Melton & Oakham	Additional officers allocated to Op VEX.	Arrest made for theft from Iceland, Melton. Arrest made for theft from Lidl, Oakham. Daytime and evening patrols carried out.
21 Nov	Various Retailers	Reassurance visits.	Visits conducted to Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, BP, and Aldi.
21 Nov	Area unspecified	Proactive policing.	Officers carried out stop searches and assisted with further arrests.

Inspector Richardson confirmed that the increased presence is part of the force’s strategy to keep town centres "safe and welcoming" for shoppers and businesses as the festive season begins.

Commitment to Community Safety

The arrests for theft in both Melton (Iceland) and Oakham (Lidl) demonstrate a clear focus on the priority issue of retail crime, which is a key concern for local businesses at this time of year. The proactive visits to major retailers on November 21st aim to strengthen communication and provide reassurance.

Inspector Richardson closed his update with a clear message to the community:

"Our commitment is clear: we’re here to protect our communities, support local businesses, and tackle anti-social behaviour head-on."

He urged the public to continue supporting the operation by reporting any suspicious activity directly to officers on patrol or via the non-emergency 101 number or online reporting service.