News

The impact of the Coronavirus on jobs has seen unemployment in the Harborough District reach its highest level in nearly 30 years. 2,150 people were out of work and claiming benefits last month – more than three times the figure before the lockdown in March – and the highest since 1992. The latest claimant count […]

A large area of barley crop has been destroyed by fire in Welford. Four fire crews and a water carrier were sent to tackle the blaze in a field off Hemploe Road at 4pm yesterday and remained at the scene overnight damping down. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service say the cause of the fire is […]

Market Harborough’s Old Grammar School and Harborough Theatre were lit up red last night. It was part of the nationwide ‘Red Alert’ ‘#WeMakeEvents’ campaign, highlighting the need for urgent government help for the live events industry, following the Covid-19 crisis. The sector is in crisis as venues remain closed, threatening thousands of jobs. A group […]

The drivers of a tipper lorry and van were taken to hospital after a crash on the outskirts of Desborough this morning. Emergency services were called to the B576, at the junction with Brampton Wood Lane, near the Travel Plaza hotel, at 9am. Police say it not thought either of the men were seriously injured […]

The Mercado Lounge in Market Harborough has reopened after being forced to shut temporarily last week when a chef testing positive for coronavirus. Bosses at the café bar say the venue has been thoroughly cleaned and results of other staff tested for Covid-19 have so far all come back negative and those awaiting theirs remain […]

Police were called to stop an illegal rave attended by around 200 people in Market Harborough last night. They gathered in a large field on the Brampton Valley Way, behind the Blackberry Grange housing estate off Northampton Road. A number of officers were sent to the scene after people reported loud music just before 9pm. […]

Burglars have stolen camera equipment worth over £16,000 from a house in Desborough. They struck sometime between 6.30pm and 7pm on Saturday at the property in Linley Drive. A beige Billingham 555 camera bag was stolen from the kitchen, which contained the following items: A Leica SL 90-280mm Vario Elmarit camera (serial number 4572888) valued […]

Vandals are risking lives by deliberately dumping objects on the train track in Desborough. British Transport Police say there have been several incidents recently, where items have been thrown from the bridge on Pipewell Road. One train hit a children’s bicycle on the track and another struck a wooden pallet, but luckily no major damage […]

Sex offences against children have more than doubled in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire over the past five years. New data from the NSPCC reveals Leicestershire Police recorded 1,238 last year, compared to 444 in 2014/15. In Northamptonshire reports increased from 668 to 1,321. Anna Edmundson from the charity says urgent action is needed:   Detective Chief […]

A Police pursuit ended near Husbands Bosworth early on Saturday when a ‘stinger’ device was deployed to puncture the tyres of a suspected stolen car. The Vauxhall Corsa had failed to stop for officers in Leicester at about 1.30am and was brought to a stop just after 3am on the A4304 close to the village. […]