Rutland Parking Fines Hit Five-Year High as Council Rakes in Nearly £60,000

Rutland Parking Fines Hit Five-Year High as Council Rakes in Nearly £60,000

Motorists in Rutland are feeling the pinch as new figures reveal that parking fines in the county reached a five-year peak in 2025.

Rutland County Council issued a staggering 1,826 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) last year, generating a total of £59,706.18 in revenue. This marks a significant surge in enforcement and collection compared to previous years.

The 2025 figures represent a sharp climb from 2024, when only 1,259 tickets were issued. While the council saw high numbers in 2021 (1,759 tickets), last year’s total is the highest since the turn of the decade.

The financial impact is equally notable. The nearly £60,000 collected in 2025 far exceeds the £42,325 secured in 2024 and the £41,040 brought in during 2023.

2025 FPN Breakdown:

Total Issued: 1,826

Total Paid: 1,549

Dropped/Cancelled: 86

Outstanding: 164

Oakham vs. Uppingham The Fine Capital

Unsurprisingly, Oakham remains the primary "hot spot" for parking enforcement. The town accounted for 1,200 of the fines issued last year exactly double the 600 handed out in Uppingham.

While the two main towns dominate the statistics, smaller villages haven't escaped the watchful eye of enforcement officers. Normanton saw 17 tickets, followed by Hambleton with seven. Interestingly, Empingham saw two tickets issued in 2025 the only fines recorded in the village over the last five years.

Top 10 Most Ticketed Locations (2025)

Rank           Location                                                

1             High Street, Oakham 187 Fines

2             High Street East, Uppingham 148 Fines

3             High Street West, Uppingham 126 Fines

4             Mercers Yard Car Park, Oakham 82 Fines

5             Westgate Car Park, Oakham 74 Fines

6             Church Street, Oakham 70 Fines

7             South Street, Oakham 70 Fines

8             Brooke Road Car Park, Oakham 70 Fines

9             Church Street Car Park, Oakham 59 Fines

10             Catmos Street, Oakham 58 Fines

If you are looking to avoid a yellow plastic envelope on your windscreen, history suggests you should be extra cautious on Oakham High Street. The stretch has held the title of the most ticketed location for five consecutive years.

"It seems some people just never learn," noted one local resident, referencing the fact that Oakham High Street has seen 830 fines since 2021.

With enforcement at a five-year high, Rutland drivers are being urged to double-check the signage and their pay-and-display tickets to avoid contributing to next year's record-breaking totals.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Community Spirit Shines ‘Good & New’ Sale Raises Staggering £57,000

Community Spirit Shines ‘Good & New’ Sale Raises Staggering £57,000

The fashion-forward residents of Rutland have proven once again that style and philanthropy are a perfect match. Over the weekend of Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March, the Rutland Hall Hotel was transformed into a bustling boutique for the annual Good & New Clothes Sale, resulting in an incredible £57,000 raised for local charity.

The event saw a remarkable turnout of shoppers who scoured the rails for high-quality bargains and designer finds. The atmosphere was one of celebration and purpose, as the community came together to support the vital work of For Rutland. Organizers were quick to express their deep gratitude to everyone who attended, noting that the success of the sale is a direct reflection of the generosity found within the county.

This significant sum of money will be put to immediate use, enabling For Rutland to continue funding specialist advisers at Citizens Advice Rutland. These professionals provide an essential, non-medical lifeline to people of all ages living with long-term health conditions. By offering expert guidance on financial, housing, and social issues, the advisers ensure that those facing serious health challenges are not left to navigate complex systems alone.

Of course, an operation of this scale would be impossible without a dedicated team behind the scenes. A "great big shout out" is extended to the army of fantastic volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the weekend ran smoothly. From the initial sorting of donations to managing the busy dressing rooms, their energy and commitment were the backbone of the event’s success.

For those inspired by this weekend's achievement, the group is always looking for new members to join their ranks. If you would like to be part of this successful team and help make future events possible, you can find more information by visiting the For Rutland website and exploring their dedicated volunteering page. https://www.forrutland.org.uk/volunteering

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 
https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Fraudsters Spoof Official Police Commissioner’s Number to Steal Over £30,000

Fraudsters Spoof Official Police Commissioner’s Number to Steal Over £30,000

In a sophisticated and "despicable" string of scams, fraudsters have managed to hijack the digital identity of the Leicestershire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). Since the start of 2026, victims have been defrauded of more than £30,000 by criminals posing as law enforcement or HMRC officials.

Leicestershire Police issued an urgent public warning today after receiving six reports of residents being targeted via the official OPCC phone number: 0116 229 8980.

The criminals are utilising specialist software to perform "number spoofing." This technology allows an unrelated mobile or internet-based line to appear on a victim's caller ID as a legitimate, trusted organisation.

By hiding behind a "shield of trust," scammers use high-pressure tactics to manipulate their targets. Claiming the victim is involved in illegal activity. Insisting the victim's bank account has been compromised and their money is no longer safe. Persuading the victim to transfer funds to a "safe account" or purchase high-value gift cards.

In one devastating case reported on Monday, February 16, a victim purchased £6,100 worth of gift cards before realising the call was a sham.

The Economic Crime Unit (ECU) is currently investigating the communication data to track down the suspects, but officials stress that public awareness is the best line of defense.

"I am absolutely dismayed that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland are being targeted by such calculated and despicable fraudsters, hiding behind institutions of trust," said Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews. "Neither my office nor any professional working on my behalf would ever call to ask you to withdraw money or purchase gift cards."

Nicole McIntyre of the ECU added that while the number on the screen is real, the people on the other end are not. "These incidents are in no way connected to anyone working in the OPCC," she clarified.

Authorities are urging the public to remember that police, banks, and government agencies will never request money or the purchase of gift cards. Ask for your bank account passwords or PIN. Instruct you to carry out an "urgent" financial transaction over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call from a number you recognise, get the caller's details. Do not stay on the line. Fraudsters can sometimes "hold" a landline open even after you hang up. Waiting ensures the line is clear.

Use a different phone if possible to call the organisation back using a verified number (like the one on the back of your bank card or 101 for police).

If you believe you have been a victim of this or any other fraud, report it immediately to Report Fraud at

https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/